Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 1 seconds.
The Canadian NORAD Region will participate in Exercise Amalgam Dart, Dec. 3 to 5, 2013, off the Canadian Atlantic Coast to practice intercept and identification procedures as well as air-to-air refueling as part of routine training.
“The RCAF is proud to stand on guard for all Canadians as a partner in NORAD,” said Major-General Pierre St-Amand, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region. “Through carefully-planned and closely-controlled training, the RCAF ensures our commitment to NORAD rapid response capabilities in the event of a domestic air threat.”
RCAF participation in Amalgam Dart will include the following air assets:
- CF-18 Hornets from 3 Wing, Bagotville, Que.
- CP-140 Aurora from 14 Wing, Greenwood, N.S.
- CC-130T Hercules from 17 Wing, Winnipeg, Man.
The majority of RCAF aircraft will be based at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. and 5 Wing, Goose Bay, N.L., with the CC-130T Hercules flying out of St. John’s, N.L.
To maximize joint and combined training opportunities, Amalgam Dart will include participation from the United States Air Force (USAF), including a B-52 Stratofortress from 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and a B-1 Lancer from 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
This training will also integrate with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Task Group Exercise, which is scheduled from Nov. 25 to Dec. 5, off the Canadian Atlantic Coast. The Task Group Exercise will also include CH-124 Sea Kings from 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S., based on RCN ships.
Amalgam Dart will take place at various altitudes over water; therefore, most air activity will not be visible to the public. However, mariners in the exercise area may hear and see the fighters flying in close proximity to military or contracted aircraft.
Communities in southeast N.S. and Happy Valley – Goose Bay, N.L. may hear and see increased air activity as the aircraft fly to and from the bases. Weather permitting, the training is scheduled to take place over the Atlantic Ocean between approximately 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Atlantic Standard Time) throughout the exercise timeframe.
NORAD provides aerospace surveillance, identification, control and warning for the defence of Canada and the United States every day throughout the year. To test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD continuously conducts exercises with a variety of scenarios.
Following Amalgam Dart, the Canadian NORAD Region will be ramping up for NORAD Tracks Santa.
