Posted on 03/17/2011 8:53:52 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Canadian fighter jets heading to Libya
By DAVID AKIN, Parliamentary Bureau Chief
Last Updated: March 17, 2011 11:13pm
OTTAWA - Canada will send six CF-18 fighter jets to southern Europe to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, defence sources told QMI Agency.
Fighter jets from CFB Bagotville in Quebec are expected to head to Europe as soon as various diplomatic clearances are obtained.
A spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay, though, would not provide official confirmation of the mission.
"We do not comment on speculation and this is an unconfirmed story," said MacKay spokesman Jay Paxton.
After days of debate, the United Nations Security Council decided on Thursday to "establish a ban on all flights in the airspace" over Libya.
"Today the Security Council has responded to the Libyan people's cry for help," said Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador the UN.
The mission for fighter jets from Canada and other countries could involve a combination of targeting infrastructure that is important to the Libyan Air Force, such as radar installations, or attempting to shoot down any Libyan Air Force jets.
That said, the mandate from the UN security council authorizes "all necessary measures" be taken short of invading Libya in order to protect Libyan citizens and rebels from attacks by forces loyal to Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi.
I agree, the Canadians of all allies are usually the first to show up when the need arises. They definitely have what I call the Musketeer attitude. All For One and One For All!
F-15s and F-16s have tailhooks as well. Mainly used for emergency purposes such as brake failures.
I didn’t know that. Thanks.
I know what Canada has in its inventory.
I have thousands of hours of E-3 time flying with our Canadian NORAD brethren. Also have YEARS of ground time working with them.
It's not bashing. We (Canadian Forces and US) have a long history of joking with each other. Good-natured, joking, at that.
Sorry for jumping on you. Sadly, there are a few FReepers who are real bashers.
Big difference.
No worries.
I've seen some bashing on the forum, and it's definitely not cool.
Upon closer inspection its not a cockpit but it sure looks like one with a glance. heh
Hear hear!
Well over 300 million a week was projected to do this NFZ....I suspect they will determine re-payment from Libya Oil once up and going ...but we already know how that works from Iraq.
“Since when do you need a diplomatic clearance to wage war?”
The UN Charter. All of our NATO allies in Europe are signatories. As well as our SEATO allies in Asia and the Pacific.
Do you prefer having American men and women paying a price as “policemen of the world”?
We should applaud other nations taking on some of the burden—and the expenses to our taxes.
No, Quebec can go to hell. They are not Canada.
For the same reason why F-16s have an arrestor hook. ;^)
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