Land Force Western Area

The 3rd Canadian Division, formerly Land Force Western Area (LFWA), is responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The 3rd Canadian Division is headquartered at CFB Edmonton. The command was formed in 1991. In 2013, it has been announced that LFWA will be renamed 3rd Canadian Division.

History
LFWA was created on 1 September 1991, taking command of what was previously Prairie Militia Area, Pacific Militia Area, and the Regular Force Army units and formations in western Canada from the northern lakehead region of Ontario to the Pacific Ocean. At that point in time, the Militia Areas ceased to exist, and the seven subordinate Militia Districts were reorganised into four: British Columbia District, Alberta District, Saskatchewan District, and Manitoba-Lakehead District.

Later that decade, the four reserve force districts were again reorganized into three Canadian Brigade Groups.

In 2013, it LFWA was renamed 3rd Canadian Division. With this change of name, the formation was also granted the identifying patch and historical lineage to the division that fought in the two world wars.

Commanders

 * Brigadier-General Beare, CD (2004–2005)
 * Brigadier-General Jorgensen, OMM, MSM, CD (2008 −2010)
 * Brigadier-General P.F. Wynnyk, OMM, CD (2010–2012)
 * Brigadier-General J.C.G. Juneau (2012–present)

Commanders of the 3rd Canadian Division also act as the Commander of Joint Task Force West, part of Canadian Joint Operations Command.

Units
Land Force Western Area has four Brigade Groups (one Regular Force and threeReserve Force), and an Area Support Group.

There are also five units that are under direct command of 3rd Canadian Division that do not operate under the four brigade groups and the one area support group. They are:
 * Land Force Western Area Headquarters - (CFB Edmonton)
 * 6 Intelligence Company
 * 1 Area Construction Troop, 4 Engineer Support Regiment - (CFB Edmonton)
 * 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group - (Group HQ in Victoria, BC. Ranger Company HQs in Victoria, Edmonton and Winnipeg, plus Junior Canadian Ranger Company HQ also in Victoria. 42 Canadian Ranger Patrols (platoon size) across the four western provinces)
 * Land Force Western Area Training Centre - (CFB Wainwright)

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is a Regular Force brigade group based out of CFB Edmonton.

1 Area Support Group
1 Area Support Group is headquartered out of CFB Edmonton. The Support Group is responsible for providing service and support to the units of Land Force Western Area.

38 Canadian Brigade Group
38 Canadian Brigade Group (38 CBG) is a Reserve Force brigade group based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It's composed of units in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastwards into Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

39 Canadian Brigade Group
39 Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG) is a Primary Reserve brigade group based out of Vancouver, BC. All of the units of the brigade are from the province of British Columbia.

41 Canadian Brigade Group
41 Canadian Brigade Group (41 CBG) is a Reserve Force brigade group based out of Calgary, Alberta. The units forming the brigade group are from the province of Alberta, as well as a company based out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Abbreviations

 * ASU: Area Support Unit
 * CFB: Canadian Forces Base
 * RCA: The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
 * RCAC: Royal Canadian Armoured Corps