Ottawa ,  National Defence

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) completed their Air Task Force’s (ATF) training mission in Romania today and was honoured with a parade and flag-lowering ceremony at the Romanian Air Force 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii.

The RCAF CF-18 aircraft will now relocate to Lithuania to augment the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission from September to December 2014 as Canada remains committed to supporting Ukraine promoting security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.A parade and flag-lowering ceremony marking the completion of the Canadian Air Task Force’s (ATF) training mission in Romania was held today at the Romanian Air Force 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii.

Quick Facts

• Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces to support NATO reassurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks, such as the Baltic Air Policing mission.
• The ATF is the air component of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO reassurance measures that promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.
• The Canadian ATF currently consists of six CF-18 Hornet aircraft, a command and control element, a mission support element providing logistical support, and an operational support element providing operational support to air assets including force protection, intelligence, aerospace management and maintenance coordination. To support these activities, there are currently approximately 200 airmen and airwomen 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.
• The Canadian Armed Forces have deployed an ATF to Romania on Op REASSURANCE since April 29, 2014.

Quotes

“In the shadow of Russia’s aggressive actions in Central and Eastern Europe, it is important that we are able to maintain interoperability with our allies in the region. Training with our NATO partners in Romania has ensured our men and women in uniform remain ready to meet changing international challenges, to contribute to international peace, stability and security, and to deploy military forces to support partners and allies around the world.”

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“It gives me a great sense of pride to see how far we have come in less than four months.  We have had outstanding exchanges not just amongst our aircrews, but across all aspects of the Air Task Force – from firefighters to medical staff, Air Traffic Controllers, Military Police, Engineers, as well as our Maintenance Personnel – all trades that are here supporting flying operations.  This has been an excellent opportunity to develop our skills and enhance our ability to operate with our NATO allies while building cohesion within the alliance.”

LCol David Pletz, Commander ATF Romania

src:news.gc.ca