Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 2 seconds.
A CC-177 Globemaster III from 429 (Transport) Squadron out of 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario delivered armaments and other essential supplies on Sept. 5, 2014 to the Canadian Air Task Force (ATF), which is currently deployed at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania in support of NATO Baltic Air Policing (BAP).
“The armaments and materiel delivered today by the Globemaster are essential to our air policing mission here in the Baltic region,” said Lieutenant-Colonel David Pletz, Commander of ATF Lithuania. “We’re ready, equipped and well-supported to deliver air power.”
While participating in BAP, CF-188 Hornet crews will work with the Portuguese Air Force, Lithuanian Air Force, and other NATO allies in responding to any violations of Baltic airspace.
“We appreciate the invaluable support we receive from 8 Wing Trenton for providing strategic and tactical airlift,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Pletz. “We receive provisions from Canada in a timely fashion through the efficient air bridge missions they undertake.”
In addition to the CC-177 airlift, the CC-130J Hercules aircraft from 436 (Transport) Squadron has been busy transporting personnel from Campia Turzii, Romania to Siauliai, Lithuania. They also carried the load to ensure that essential equipment and supplies are relocated to the ATF’s new area of operation before the start of the BAP mission.
There are four CF-188 Hornets deployed in Lithuania along with more than 130 personnel from 2 Wing Bagotville, 3 Wing Bagotville, 4 Wing Cold Lake, 8 Wing Trenton, 14 Wing Greenwood, 17 Wing Winnipeg, and 22 Wing North Bay, including aircrew and personnel who provide operational support to air assets, such as force protection, intelligence, aerospace management and maintenance coordination.
The CC-150 Polaris from 437 (Transport) Squadron was also essential to the deployment of the Hornets to Eastern Europe. In May 2014, the Polaris provided air-to-air refueling support to the Hornets as they flew across the Atlantic Ocean on their way to Romania.
The ATF is the air component of Operation REASSURANCE, which is Canada’s contribution to the alliance in promoting security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe and to supporting NATO collective defence.
“8 Wing’s strategic and tactical fleets have been essential to ensuring the continued success of our operation,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Pletz.
As the hub of Canada’s air mobility forces, 8 Wing Trenton has been involved in most of the Canadian Armed Forces operations at home and abroad, providing strategic and tactical airlift to personnel, equipment, and supplies.
