Combat Capable

The Canadian air force's primary role is the defence and protection of Canadians, our interests and values, from those who threaten harm or damage. Even in times of peace, maintaining a global, political, and economic influence that benefits Canadians has a great deal to do with our participation in military operations.

Although the Cold War no longer dominates security relationships, the world is still far from being a safe, stable place. Violent regional and civil disputes abound, often fueled by ethnic or religious differences. These are compounded by the proliferation of increasingly sophisticated and deadly weaponry, including weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. Canada is affected by these conflicts in the form of refugees, or obstacles to trading and selling our goods abroad, or when principles we value are damaged.

Since Canada is affected by military conflicts, we must be capable of influencing them in a full range of multilateral operations under the UN or NATO. Air power is almost always the fastest way for our government to respond with a meaningful presence to events on the world stage. A combat capable air force is one of the most effective "peace movements" there can be, whether it means sending CF-18s to attack military targets with precision in Yugoslovia or participating in joint patrols with our allies in the Persian Gulf.