DND owned an adjacent 75 km2 (29 sq mi) property and used the facility for live-fire artillery, armoured and infantry training.

The camp staff and guard company were reduced to nil strength a few weeks later, marking the end of this chapter of CFB/ASU Wainwright's history.

In 1980, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of Alberta, a small number of bison was transferred from Elk Island National Park to the grounds of the base.

CFB Wainwright was also impacted by defence cuts and was reduced to an Area Support Unit (ASU).

In 2015, 3003 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Battle River (PPCLI) was relocated to CFB Wainwright from Edgerton, Alberta.