Six CF-18 Hornets, from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, depart for Romania from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, on April 29, 2014. PHOTO: Corporal Jean-Roch Chabot
Posted on 05/03/2014 9:44:48 AM PDT by Clive
Air Task Group deploys to Romania in response to crisis in Ukraine
April 29, 2014
By RCAF Public Affairs
Earlier today, a Canadian Armed Forces Air Task Group left 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, headed for Romania. The deployment is part of the Government of Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine.
The Air Task Group includes six CF-18 Hornets from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, located at 3 Wing. As soon as the aircraft, crews and support personnel arrive in Romania, they will begin conducting multinational joint exercises as part of Canada’s commitment to its NATO allies.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the deployment on April 17.
“Along with our NATO allies, we recognize the need to enhance security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe,” he said.
“To this end, Canada is offering the following capabilities to enhance the readiness of NATO allies: six Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter aircraft and up to 20 staff officers to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe to assist NATO planning efforts. Canada’s offer has been well received by NATO.”
The Canadian announcement came two days after the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that that the Ukraine crisis has amplified the need to strengthen cooperation between NATO, the European Union and with close partners. “We need to train and exercise more together . . . so that we stand ready for whatever the future may bring,” he said.
The Canadian Air Task Force is composed mainly of personnel from 2 Air Expeditionary Wing and 3 Wing, which are both located at Bagotville. 2 Air Expeditionary Wing, a relatively new organization, is capable of deploying rapidly as a self-contained unit – employing air power and providing associated support wherever needed, across Canada or around the world.
4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, and 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, are also contributing to the Task Force, which will include the following: Six CF-18 Hornet fighter jets from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec. A Command and Control Element, which provides tactical-level command support. A Mission Support Element, which provides logistical support including lodging; food services; supply; transportation; and construction, electrical and mechanical engineering. An Operational Support Element, which provides operational support to air assets, including force protection, intelligence, aerospace management and maintenance coordination. An Air Movements Detachment, which coordinates the movement of personnel and material in and out of the deployed location.
In all, about 228 personnel are deploying.
In addition to the Air Task Force, 15 Canadian Armed Forces planning personnel have already deployed to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium, and have begun reinforcing planning efforts
The Air Task Force will remain deployed until otherwise ordered by the Government of Canada. The RCAF has a plan to rotate personnel in and out of theatre as required.
Six CF-18 Hornets, from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, depart for Romania from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, on April 29, 2014. PHOTO: Corporal Jean-Roch Chabot
OOPS, the woprds “Image Gallery” at the end of the subject line was copy-and-pasted in error.
The photo in my Reply 1 is from the RCAF image Gallery
We’re there as a paper tiger. The world knows this. I don’t believe Putin would, but should he decide to, he could deliver a stunning embarrassment by wiping out US forces near Russia. I believe that he believes Mr. Nobel Peace Prize would not strike back, preferring instead a harsh letter of condemnation. The only thing stopping him would be the knowledge the Mr. NPP would shortly be replaced by probably the most aggressive government since December 7th 1941. So, instead of US forces being protected by a competent administration they’re being protected by the prospect that we will get a competent administration.
Shortly after Nixon was elected North Korea, who takes the measure of each new president, shot several US officers on the Southern side of the DMZ. Nixon activated all the logistics necessary to destroy the North. He ordered a carrier task force into action to “bomb them back to the stone age.” The North hastily backed down, not because of the threat but because the threat was backed up with the massive movement of the logistics necessary to support the threat. If we intended to send a significant force for action Putin would know the US was serious by the massive movement of fuel, tanker aircraft, ammunition and support stores. If we move a few aircraft without moving literally millions of tons of supplies he knows we’re just putting on a show like a peacock’s tail. The world knows this too.
Canada Ping!
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This is where the war with Russia will begin, in the air over Ukrauine in a battle for air superiority.
For various reasons such as Natos lack of fuel, under training, and lack of experience, the Russians are favored to win, just as the have in almost every set of air war games the Russians have conducted with the West involving jet to jet dog fighting.
Unless the top fighter piolets of the US Navy are available, Nato will likely be toast.
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