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Defence Minister Rob Nicholson was in Bagotville, Que., April 29 to mark the departure of Canadian personnel and six CF-18 fighter aircraft headed for Romania.
These fighter aircraft, along with support personnel, are travelling to Romania in order to conduct training activities in support of immediate reassurance measures. They will join Romania and other NATO Allies currently operating in the region as part of NATO Reassurance Measures to Central and Eastern Europe.
“I am always impressed by the calibre of people serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Their training and readiness is second to none and their dedication to our nation is exemplary. Through their hard work our nation is showing the world that Canada stands alongside our NATO Allies as we respond to the ongoing situation in Ukraine,” said Minister Nicholson.
The six CF-18 fighter aircraft come from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron based out of 3 Wing Bagotville, Que., and departed at approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning.
The CF-18 is Canada’s frontline multi-role fighter, and its pilots are trained to perform air defence, air superiority, aerospace testing and evaluation, training, and tactical support missions.
The Government of Canada is contributing to NATO reassurance measures in order to promote security and stability in Eastern and Central Europe. Fifteen operational planning staff deployed on April 22 to augment Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe staff in Casteau, Belgium.
The Canadian Armed Forces have been a major contributor to NATO operations since the founding of the Alliance 65 years ago. Canada continues to provide modern, deployable capabilities to Allied missions and highly trained personnel to its command structure.
