First Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) were stationed at Currie Barracks, CFB Calgary. The Calgary Highlanders, Lord’s Strathcona Horse, 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles), and 10th Battalion also have ties to the region.

World War II created a need for an infantry-training center, an RCAF Lincoln Park air force station, and Brigade Group Headquarters. PMQs were built in Lincoln Park to accommodate the RCAF’s married personnel.

The No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron and No. 3 (Bomber) Squadron used the RCAF training station by 1939, and in 1940, part of Currie Barracks opened a separate base, which became the No. 3 Service Flying Training School (SFTS). The pre-war flying field soon became fully operational, training numerous pilots for overseas conflict.

Recruits were assigned to a barrack block, issued sheets and blankets, and endured two weeks of ground school, studying meteorology, navigation, theory of flight, the Cessna Crane, and the rules of the RCAF.

NATO used the base to train pilots until 1958. Then it was only used as an emergency landing strip, and the air force base station closed in 1964. Today, part of Mount Royal College sits on a portion of those runways, while the No. 3 SFTS hangars are used for business offices and film sets.

In 1997, the Strathcona's and the PPCLI were relocated to Edmonton. Although, CFB Calgary was abandoned, Canada Lands transformed the property into one of the most desired residential locations in the city with the development of several new condominium and single family communities.  NL