RAMSTEIN, Germany -  The Royal Canadian Air Force detachment of approx. 135 Canadian Armed Forces personnel and four CF-188 Hornets completed their four-month mission in support of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) on December 31, 2017.

 

Throughout the mission at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, the detachment successfully built on the already strong, established relationships with Romania and other NATO Allies, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the NATO Readiness Action Plan, reassuring Allies, and helping to support regional stability. 

"This mission has been an outstanding opportunity and a point of pride for the entire Air Task Force,” said the Detachment Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Hickey. "It has been an honour to contribute to the NATO Alliance in such a meaningful way while working alongside our Romanian counterparts as we build even stronger ties. Our Romanian hosts have been very gracious, and have treated us like family—the entire Air Task Force is very grateful for their support.”

 

In addition to the eAP mission, the CF-188 crews and jets conducted regular training with their Romanian hosts. This training included medical support, flight safety, aircraft maintenance, command and control, and military policing. The men and women of the detachment also conducted several activities in support of local communities, including delivering donations to an orphanage.

 

The Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 crews trained alongside Romanian Air Force MiG-21s, F-16s and Puma helicopters—in addition to Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter jets, US Army Blackhawk helicopters and NATO airborne warning and control systems planes. The CF-188 crews also trained with French and Romanian vessels in the Black Sea.

Following mission completion, the four CF-18 Hornets and personnel will return to Canada in January 2018. A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon detachment is scheduled to continue NATO’s eAP mission operating out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base starting at the end of April 2018.