Two Canadian CF-18 Hornet. Photo courtesy of Canadian Air Task Force by Master Corporal Roy MacLellan Canada has deployed an Air Task...
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Two Canadian CF-18 Hornet. Photo courtesy of Canadian Air Task Force by Master Corporal Roy MacLellan |
The deployment is part of NATO’s measures to reassure its commitment to Central and Eastern European allies, following tensions between Ukraine and Russia over Russian annexation of Crimea.
The six CF-18 fighters from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, based at 3 Wing Bagotville in the Province of Quebec, may later join NATO’s air policing mission in Eastern Europe.
The Task Force is trained to perform air defence, air superiority, training, aerospace testing and evaluation, and tactical support missions.
The CF-18 fighters are to conduct multinational training exercises as part of Canada’s commitment to its NATO Allies.
The Canadian Air Task Force have begun to work and train with their Romanian counterparts.
NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltic region is currently led by four Polish MiG-29 fighters and supported by four United Kingdom Typhoon fighters both deployed to Siauliai, Lithuania and four Danish F-16 fighters deployed to Ämari, Estonia, and four French Rafale fighters, currently deployed to Malbork, Poland.
In addition the Alliance operates AWACS platforms from France and the United Kingdom as well as one NATO AWACS aircraft over Poland and Romania.
