Meanwhile, Buckwheat indulges himself in arrogance & indifference........
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