CFB Shilo Canadian Forces Base Shilo ( or CFB Shilo ) is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Forces , located east of Brandon , Manitoba . During the 1990s , Canadian Forces Base Shilo was also designated as an Area Support Unit , which acts as a local base of operations for south - west Manitoba in times of military and civil emergency . It is located at the very southwest corner of the Rural Municipality of North Cypress , and the very northwest corner of the Rural Municipality of South Cypress . Additionally , it lies adjacent to the eastern border of the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis . History and demographics . CFB Shilo has been a training facility for the Canadian Forces since 1910 , and saw an increase in its use as a training facility following the outbreak of World War I . The principal purpose of this base is for training in artillery and munitions , activities audibly recognized , though not begrudged , by generations of nearby residents . In 1942 , training of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was transferred here from Fort Benning , Georgia . The existence of the base has enhanced the economic stability of the surrounding area through contracted employment with the Department of National Defence , and provision of off - base services to staff and trainees . CFB Shilo provides employment for approximately 1 , 400 military personnel , as well as an additional estimated 450 civilian personnel . The base is located within the federal electoral district of Brandon — Souris . Geographic / geological significance . The landscape in this area is particularly well suited to these operations . The rolling hills are well suited to hidden target firing drills . Soil compositions of loose sand / gravel aggregate s are also ideal for Artillery and Munitions training . The lack of surface bedrock outcropping greatly reduces the chances of hazardous ricochet s during live - fire exercises and also assists in the safe retrieval and secure disposal of both detonated and un - detonated ordnance . Associated units . CFB Shilo is the home of the : In addition , CFB Shilo lodges training units such as : Other supported units include 26th Field Artillery Regiment , Royal Canadian Artillery , RCA Brandon ' s Reserve Unit and 38 Canadian Brigade Group , headquartered in Winnipeg . It also serves as a base for some support units of 3rd Canadian Division , including 731 Signal Squadron . External connections / partnerships . In addition to the many Canadian Regular Force and reserve soldiers who train at Shilo , troops from several foreign countries , including Germany , France , Denmark and the United States , have trained here . Germany , in particular , trained over 140 , 000 soldiers from 1974 to 2000 under the direction of the German Army Training Establishment Shilo ( GATES ) . Many signs of the 27 - year legacy left by the Germans remain at Shilo and throughout the southwest Manitoba region . CFB Shilo has also seen use by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and employees of the Manitoba Department of Corrections . Fiduciary concerns . Since the late 1970s , CFB Shilo has been the subject of much political debate regarding the possibility of ceasing operations due primarily to the costs associated with operating and maintaining the base . These political arguments arise regardless of which political party forms the respective Federal and Provincial governments . At this point , the issue has been debated for approximately 25 years and there are still no definitive decisions as to the continuation or cessation of operations . Despite this uncertainty , recent years have seen government investment into the base . In the period from 2004 – 2008 , over $ 50 million was spent on expansion of base facilities . Transportation . The base is south of the Trans - Canada Highway on PR 340 . There are two heliport s associated with the base . Shilo Heliport is located on the base while Shilo ( Flewin Field ) , with a pad , is located south .