Your safety is our priority
The Air Force conducts live fire training exercises on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR). Access to and movement within CLAWR is strictly controlled to ensure your safety.
The information found on this site must be reviewed prior to entering CLAWR, before planning or conducting work projects, and during daily safety meetings. The Operational Notices are subject to frequent change and all personnel are accountable to have the most-up-to-date information.
Range Control Mission Statement
Range Control will facilitate safe, effective, efficient coordination / access control for petroleum industry operators on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) through a team approach, supporting both military and industry management requests, whilst promoting appropriate communication at all levels.
History – Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR)
4 Wing Cold Lake was established in 1952 when the site was chosen by the Royal Canadian Air Force for an air weapons training base. In 1953, the federal government signed an agreement with the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan for the use of a tract of land 220 km by 74 km for use as an air weapons range.
The CLAWR covers an area of 1.17 million hectares straddling the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. 4 Wing Cold Lake hosts Canada's world-class tactical fighter force, as well as deploys and supports fighter aircraft at a moment's notice to fulfill both domestic and international mandates of Canada's Air Force. 4 Wing Cold Lake is located 40 kilometers south of the CLAWR and is home to five flying squadrons of aircraft.
It is also the host of the internationally renowned Maple Flag Exercise. Maple Flag is a six-week international air combat exercise at 4 Wing Cold Lake. It provides Canadian and allied aircrew with realistic training in a modern simulated air combat environment and emphasizes air operations involving large package coalition forces.
Aircraft
Squadrons
Cold Lake First Nation (CLFN)

Although there is no fishing or hunting permitted on the range, under an Agreement between the Federal Government and Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN), designated members of First Nations are allowed access onto the Range to conduct traditional pursuits and visit heritage sites.
All heritage sites (gravesites, cabins, village sites) are protected under Federal and Provincial Heritage Acts and personnel must:
- Report these sites when found; and
- Not interfere with or remove anything from the sites
CLAWR Range Control Role
The Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is managed under the authority of the:
- National Defence Act (NDA)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- 4 Wing Flying and Range Orders
- CLAWR Policy
Under the 1986 Federal/Provincial agreement (governing access for Oil and Gas development within the CLAWR), the CLAWR range control team has been assigned the responsibility for access control to all persons involved in oil and gas operations and associated activities on the CLAWR.
CLAWR Range Control staff are designated as security guards as defined in DCAAR and empowered under the NDA. These policies contain provisions that authorize them to suspend or deny CLAWR access to persons failing or refusing to follow instructions. Additionally, Range Control may suspend or deny access for any violation of these orders, 4 Wing Flying and Range Orders (WFROs) or Department of National Defence (DND) Policies and Regulations related to access to the CLAWR.
Range Control Mandate
- Single point of contact for Industry / DND discussions
- Coordinate access, occupation & deconfliction with Canadian Forces personnel
- Ensure compliance with DCAARS/related 4 Wing and Company orders
- Ensure 4 Wing is kept abreast of personnel and activities of interest on the range
Resources
- Aircrew Information File Notification
- Civilian Air Access List (updated February 25, 2021 - 15:55)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- Instructions for CLAWR General Access Briefing
- Ken Baker Road Closures
- Range Control Policies
- Tgt Closure List 20-26 Feb 2021 (updated February 19, 2021 - 07:33)
- Tgt Closure List 13-19 Feb 2021 (updated February 12, 2021 - 11:03)
- Civ Air Aircrew Brief
- Annex_A
- HOURS OF OPERATION - Winter 2021
- Fire Grid-1400 30Sept. 20
- Wildfireadvisory2020
- Analog Radio Instructions to Prevent Dropped Transmissions
- Analog Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
- Digital Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
CLAWR Orientation Centre
CLAWR General Access Briefing

Phone: 780.573.7206
Only authorized company personnel and contractors who have completed the CLAWR General Access Briefing and have been issued an access card will be permitted entry to the CLAWR. The training can be completed online or in person at the CLAWR Orientation Centre where the access cards are issued.
CLAWR General Access Briefing
This learning module is courtesy of Cenovus Energy.
Detailed requirements, regulations and procedures for those personnel authorized access to the CLAWR can be found in the Range Control Policies.
Off-Road Training Module
If you intend to travel off any high grade, all season road surface on the CLAWR, as detailed in the CLAWR General Access Briefing, you must also complete the Off-Road Training Module in person at the CLAWR Orientation Centre.
Maps
- 990722 Cold Lake 2018 Military R367
- CLAWR - Directions on how to get to all gates
- CLAWR and Foster Creek - Plant, East, West Map
- CLAWR Burnt Lake Gate Map
- CLAWR CNRL Access - Primrose Area
- Foster Creek Map
Resources
- Aircrew Information File Notification
- Civilian Air Access List (updated February 25, 2021 - 15:55)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- Instructions for CLAWR General Access Briefing
- Ken Baker Road Closures
- Range Control Policies
- Tgt Closure List 20-26 Feb 2021 (updated February 19, 2021 - 07:33)
- Tgt Closure List 13-19 Feb 2021 (updated February 12, 2021 - 11:03)
- Civ Air Aircrew Brief
- Annex_A
- HOURS OF OPERATION - Winter 2021
- Fire Grid-1400 30Sept. 20
- Wildfireadvisory2020
- Analog Radio Instructions to Prevent Dropped Transmissions
- Analog Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
- Digital Radio - Off Road Communications Guide

Operational notices
- Aircrew Information File Notification
- Civilian Air Access List (updated February 25, 2021 - 15:55)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- Instructions for CLAWR General Access Briefing
- Ken Baker Road Closures
- Range Control Policies
- Tgt Closure List 20-26 Feb 2021 (updated February 19, 2021 - 07:33)
- Tgt Closure List 13-19 Feb 2021 (updated February 12, 2021 - 11:03)
- Civ Air Aircrew Brief
- Annex_A
- HOURS OF OPERATION - Winter 2021
- Fire Grid-1400 30Sept. 20
- Wildfireadvisory2020
- Analog Radio Instructions to Prevent Dropped Transmissions
- Analog Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
- Digital Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
CRC Alerts and Advisories
There are no alerts or advisories at this time.
- Aircrew Information File Notification
- Civilian Air Access List (updated February 25, 2021 - 15:55)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- Instructions for CLAWR General Access Briefing
- Ken Baker Road Closures
- Range Control Policies
- Tgt Closure List 20-26 Feb 2021 (updated February 19, 2021 - 07:33)
- Tgt Closure List 13-19 Feb 2021 (updated February 12, 2021 - 11:03)
- Civ Air Aircrew Brief
- Annex_A
- HOURS OF OPERATION - Winter 2021
- Fire Grid-1400 30Sept. 20
- Wildfireadvisory2020
- Analog Radio Instructions to Prevent Dropped Transmissions
- Analog Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
- Digital Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
Emergency Call Centre (ECC)

The Emergency Call Centre (ECC) provides 24/7 emergency response for dispatching of first responders. All emergencies, environmental upsets, and wildlife incidents affecting workers must first be reported to the CLAWR ECC which serves industry and DND alike in a “911” fashion.
ECC contact information
Emergencies: (780) 573-7321
Non-emergencies: (780) 815-6642
Email: CLAWR.EmergencyCallCentre@RangeSafety.ca
The ECC provides five distinct functions

- Emergency Call Line Reception: ECC staff receive, record and provide initial notification to Emergency Response Plan (ERP) designates and emergency managers for any emergency (includes emergency radio calls on channel 9 for off-road traffic).
- Off-road traffic control & monitoring: The ECC (radio call sign SENTRY) is responsible for coordination, dispatch and control of all off-road movement by oil and gas personnel operating in the CLAWR. Additionally, they have responsibility for monitoring and “flight following” of all civilian air traffic operating in the CLAWR in support of oil and gas operations.
- Dispatch and information support to range Control: The ECC provides “central dispatch” services to range patrol Officers, bear aversion specialists, and emergency services personnel.
- Environmental reporting: As mandated by 4 Wing Cold Lake, corporate environmental reporting protocols must meet CLAWR incident reporting requirements. All environmental incidents must be reported to the CLAWR ECC for notification to senior military staff.
- Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) protocols: Based on military requirements for notification, all industry ERP protocols for the CLAWR (regardless of company) must have the ECC integrated as a primary notification agency. All emergencies occurring within the CLAWR must be reported to the ECC immediately.
resources
- Aircrew Information File Notification
- Civilian Air Access List (updated February 25, 2021 - 15:55)
- Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations (DCAARs)
- Instructions for CLAWR General Access Briefing
- Ken Baker Road Closures
- Range Control Policies
- Tgt Closure List 20-26 Feb 2021 (updated February 19, 2021 - 07:33)
- Tgt Closure List 13-19 Feb 2021 (updated February 12, 2021 - 11:03)
- Civ Air Aircrew Brief
- Annex_A
- HOURS OF OPERATION - Winter 2021
- Fire Grid-1400 30Sept. 20
- Wildfireadvisory2020
- Analog Radio Instructions to Prevent Dropped Transmissions
- Analog Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
- Digital Radio - Off Road Communications Guide
forms
- Call sign form (fillable PDF)
- CLAWR safety concern form (fillable PDF)
Map tutorial video
On the CLAWR, locations off the main road structure or "high grade" are described using a four digit descriptor for the Legal Subdivision or LSD. The following Map tutorial will explain how to locate an LSD for a location on the CLAWR and an example of proper radio usage for off road travel when communicating with the Emergency Call Centre .
Contact us
CLAWR Range Safety and Coordination Centre
(780) 594.2554
CRC@RangeSafety.ca
Mailing address: Cold Lake Office
5101 46 Ave Suite 3001
Cold Lake AB, T9M 0C8
CLAWR Emergency Call Centre (ECC)
Emergencies: (780) 573.7321
Non-emergencies: (780) 815.6642
CLAWR.EmergencyCallCentre@RangeSafety.ca
CLAWR Orientation Centre
Orientation briefing staff: 780-573-7206
CLAWR.Orientation@rangesafety.ca
Range Control team

Darwin Bateyko
Manager, Military & Environment Military & Environment, HSER

Carolyn O’Connell
Range Control Logistics Analyst Military, Regulatory & Liability, HSER

Brad Williamson
Sr. Advisor, CLAWR Engagement Military Liaison CRC, HSER

Sheldon Tuttosi
Senior Advisor, CLAWR Operations Military Liaison CRC, HSER

Mark Palman
Range Control Safety Advisor Military Liaison CRC, HSER

Bob Irwin
Range Control Operations Advisor Military Liaison CRC, HSER
Legal notice
Information contained in the RangeSafety website for Cold Lake Air Weapons Range ("CLAWR") is for information purposes only. The website and the information (including changes to the terms herein) may be changed or updated from time to time without notice. In consideration for using the RangeSafety website, the visitor agrees to hold CLAWR and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents harmless against any claims for damages or costs or any loss of any kind arising out of the access to or use of this website or any information contained in or obtained through this website. As visitors access this website on a server in Alberta, Canada, the information contained in this website is deemed to be provided in Alberta and is subject to Alberta law and the laws of Canada applicable therein. If you access this website from outside of Canada, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local, national or international laws including, without limitation, transportation laws, national defence laws and import and export laws.
Disclaimer of Warranties
In addition to the above disclaimers of warranties, CLAWR hereby expressly disclaim any liability for errors or omissions in the information contained in this website. Although CLAWR believes this information to be correct at the time it is posted, CLAWR does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or currency of this information at all times. All information contained in this website is provided on an as-is and as-available basis without any representations, warranties or endorsements whatsoever.
No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory, warranty of merchantability and non-infringement of intellectual property rights, third party rights, title, fitness for any particular purpose or freedom from computer viruses or other contaminating or destructive properties is given in conjunction with the information contained in this website.
Exclusion of Liability
In no event shall CLAWR be liable for any damages, including without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, loss of profits, opportunities or information arising in connection with the RangeSafety website or with any linked website even if CLAWR is made aware of the possibility of such damages, losses, claims or expenses.
Trademark and Copyright
All material and information found in this website is protected under the copyright and trademark laws of Canada and other applicable jurisdictions.
The display of trademarks, tradenames or design marks in this website does not imply that a license of any kind has been granted to any other party.
Any unauthorized use regarding publication, copying or modification of information on this website, including trademarks, tradenames and design marks, may violate applicable legislation and may result in legal action.
Links to Third Party Sites
This website contains links to third party sites. These links have been provided solely as a convenience for users of this website and do not constitute an endorsement by CLAWR of the content of such third party sites. Links to this website may also be provided from other sites either known or unknown to CLAWR. Access to any other website linked to or from this website is at your own risk. CLAWR has not reviewed and is not responsible for the content of any third party sites linked to or from this website and does not make any representations regarding the privacy practices, content or accuracy of materials on such third party sites.
Talk to Us
The Internet is not a fully-secure medium and is subject to possible interception, loss, corruption, or alteration of communication. CLAWR is not liable for any damages resulting from the transmission, interception or corruption of communications to or from this website. Any visitor to this website providing information to CLAWR agrees that CLAWR shall have no obligation with respect to such information and shall be free to use, distribute, disclose and reproduce the information to others and shall be free to be use any ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in the information for any purpose whatsoever. Any information provided by a visitor to the RangeSafety website shall be non-proprietary and deemed to be non-confidential and must be truthful, legal and not violate the rights of others.
References to CLAWR
For convenience, references in this website to "CLAWR", "us", "we" and similar references, where applicable, refer only to or include any relevant activities and initiatives of CLAWR.
Terms of Legal Notice Binding
Your access and use of this website constitutes your agreement to be governed by the contents of the Legal Notice set forth above. If you do not agree with them leave this website immediately.