Today, members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) departed Canadian Forces Base Bagotville for a deployment to Europe as part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defence activities. This air deployment, which will span six weeks, includes participation in two major multinational exercises: COBRA WARRIOR 25-2 in the United Kingdom and TARASSIS 25 in Estonia.
Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest international military commitment, involving land, maritime, air, space, and cyber elements to strengthen NATO’s collective defence posture in Central and Eastern Europe.
The air component of exercise COBRA WARRIOR and TARASSIS includes:
- Eight CF-188 Hornets from 3 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Bagotville
- One CC-130H Hercules aircraft from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 19 Wing, based out of 17 Wing Winnipeg
- Approximately 160 RCAF personnel and
- Transatlantic escort done by one CC-130J Hercules for search and rescue and one CC-150T Polaris for refueling, both from 8 Wing CFB Trenton.
For the first half of the deployment, Air Force members will be primarily stationed at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington for Exercise COBRA WARRIOR 25-2, the UK’s largest air exercise.
The exercise aims to train allied forces in high-intensity tactical air warfare operations within a simulated combat environment.
Following COBRA WARRIOR, 80 RCAF members will continue their deployment to Estonia to participate in Exercise TARASSIS 25, which focuses on inter-allied cooperation, Agile Operations Employment and Agile Combat Employment concepts and operational readiness in a European context.
Quotes
“The strategic partnerships developed during Exercises COBRA WARRIOR and TARASSIS will enable the development of the RCAF’s future capabilities and operational agility. In strengthening ties with our NATO allies, set to the backdrop of an intense and demanding training environment, the RCAF stands to gain a great deal in terms of our ability to be prepared for, and help solve, the challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces into the coming decade.” — Major-General Chris McKenna, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division
“By participating in COBRA WARRIOR and TARASSIS, our aviators demonstrate their ability to quickly integrate into complex environments, collaborate effectively with our allies, and exhibit exemplary professionalism. Our members will have the opportunity to engage in simulated combat scenarios, develop advanced tactics, and directly contribute to NATO’s defence posture. This deployment is also a source of pride not only for our members but for the families and communities that support our military, and we are honoured to represent Canada on the international stage.”
— Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Renaud, Commander of the Air Task Force – Op REASSURANCE
