RAAF heads to Canada for Maple Flag Ex

[mcmaster]

www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/4-wing/maple-flag.page

Exercise Maple Flag, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s largest and most complex international training event of the year, begins next week in Cold Lake, Alberta. Taking place from June 11 to 22, Exercise Maple Flag 51 will bring together nearly 1,200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel in participant or supporting roles, along with 540 personnel from allied nations along with multiple aircraft types, including:

From Canada: CF-188 Hornet fighters, CC-150T Polaris air-to-air refueling and transport aircraft, CC-130T Hercules air-to-air refueling and transport aircraft, TPS-70 Tactical Control Radar, and contracted Dornier Alpha Jets
From the United States: EA-18G Super Hornet “Growler” Electronic Warfare aircraft; and B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers
From Australia: F/A-18 Hornet fighters
From Belgium: F-16AM Fighting Falcon “Viper” fighters
From NATO: E-3A AWACS

[Dave Homewood]

Interesting, how will the RAAF Hornets transit there? Is it possible they will come through New Zealand?

Also, will they leave the aircraft there afterwards, as I understand the RCAF has purchased them?

Does NATO have it's own Air Force these days?

[ErrolC]

NATO has owned and operated E-3s for many years. From memory they are registered in Luxembourg. I went on one at an airshow in California in 2008.

www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_48904.htm

[Brett]

In reply to your last question, "Yes".

NATO operates a fleet of 15 E-3A AWACs out of Geilenkirchen, Germany. This allows the various NATO members to have shared AWAC coverage without having to operate their own individual fleets.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for that.

[saratoga]

Jun 9, 2018 16:20:57 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Interesting, how will the RAAF Hornets transit there? Is it possible they will come through New Zealand?

Also, will they leave the aircraft there afterwards, as I understand the RCAF has purchased them?

Does NATO have it's own Air Force these days?

transit via Hawaii?

[mcmaster]

Jun 9, 2018 16:20:57 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Also, will they leave the aircraft there afterwards, as I understand the RCAF has purchased them?

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I think its a bit early to hand them over as the F35s arn’t in Aus till next year AFAIK. I do suspect the canucks will take the opportunity to check if they have been have been flogged or missed oil changes.

[lesterpk]

Jun 9, 2018 16:20:57 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Interesting, how will the RAAF Hornets transit there? Is it possible they will come through New Zealand?

Also, will they leave the aircraft there afterwards, as I understand the RCAF has purchased them?

Does NATO have it's own Air Force these days?

Hornets will prob use air to air refuelling with RAAF A330's, won't leave any behind, saw article the other day first 2 of 12 to go to Canada in middle of 2019.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Les.