135 Expeditionary Air Wing handed over responsibility for the NATO mission to the Canadians whose Hornet fighter jets will replace Typhoons.
Among the several VIPs present at the ceremony was the British Ambassador, Mr Andrew Noble, who said:
“Today marks the conclusion of the second year in which RAF Typhoons have helped to defend and secure the skies of this important Black Sea flank of the NATO Alliance. This mission is in response to Russia’s use of military force against its neighbours and its military build-up in the region.
In contrast, NATO’s aim is to contribute to European defence and security by preventing conflict, protecting our allies and preserving the peace.”
Commanding 135 EAW throughout the mission was Wing Commander Chris Ball who said:
“Today my team’s role in NATO Air Policing draws to a close, for now, and it is a great honour to handover to the Royal Canadian Air Force as they also prepare to make their contribution to our collective defence in this region for the second year.
I know they will do a fantastic job and we are, of course, both working hand-in-hand with the Romanian Air Force who never stops providing defence in this region.”
Job well done!
Agreed- think an opportunity still exists for Canada to replace its F18’s with Typhoons,lets hope they do.
So do I Paul T!
do we think they would favour Typhoon over Rafale…this is assuming the relationship with Boeing is still in tatters
(Chris H) I think its Canada’s relationship with Trump that is in tatters. US trade people are trying to salvage something from the Chump’s diplomacy by Twitter and seeking Canada’s agreement to the deal with Mexico. The USA launched 5 WTO complaints in one go recently Trudeau said that unless the United States and Boeing drop attempts to find fault with Bombardier, the Canadian government will not buy $6-billion worth of Boeing’s Super Hornet fighter jets. “We won’t do business with a company that’s busy trying to sue us and trying to put our aerospace workers out of business,”. Well… Read more »