Three regular force units of other formations (430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 5 Field Ambulance of Canadian Forces Medical Group) are collocated with 5 CMBG at CFB Valcartier and work closely with the brigade group, but are not officially a part of it.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the 5th was the primary formation of the Canadian Air-Sea Transportable Brigade Group (CAST), supported by additional artillery and light armour units, as well as two wings of Canadair CF-5 aircraft. The CAST mission was disbanded in 1989.