CF-18's to Conduct Forward Operating Location Familiarization Training in Canada's North

March 24, 2006

WINNIPEG -- Two CF-18's from 4 Wing, Cold Lake will fly to Yellowknife and Inuvik next week to allow aircrew an opportunity to become more familiar with some of Canada’s northwestern Forward Operating Locations (FOL) used to support the Canadian NORAD Region mission.

The CF-18 Hornets, accompanied by a CC-144 Challenger from 412 Transport Squadron in Ottawa with ground crew and support staff on board will depart Cold Lake Monday, 27 March and overnight in Yellowknife. On Tuesday, 28 March they will proceed to Inuvik with a potential stopover in Whitehorse.  All three aircraft will return home on Wednesday, 29 March. Local residents will notice increased noise levels following the arrival of the CF-18's in their community.

“Our pilots and ground crews must be familiar with these Forward Operating Locations should we need to deploy aircraft to them in support of our NORAD mission,” said MGen Charlie Bouchard, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region.  “The defence of Canada and North America remains our number one defence objective and our ability to operate seamlessly from the FOLs is vital to meeting that objective in the North.”

1 Canadian Air Division conducts this type of training event periodically to allow aircrew and support personnel an opportunity to become more familiar with our FOLs.  This type of training activity also allows the Air Force to exercise sovereignty in Canada's North.

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For more information, please contact 1 Canadian Air Division Public Affairs at (204) 833-2500 ext 6795