Canada’s Air Task Force (ATF)-Romania si-a terminat misiunea de patru luni in cadrul NATO’s enhanced Air Policing in Romania. ATF-Romania este componenta aeriana a Operatiunii Reassurance, contributia Canadei la masurile de asigurare si descurajare NATO in Europa Centrala si de Est.
“The Canadian Armed Forces has been actively participating alongside our NATO Allies in measures to maintain security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe,” a spus Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command. “As a member of NATO, Canada contributes in keeping the Alliance’s airspace safe and secure, and once again fulfilled its commitment to the NATO Air Policing mission through the hard work of Air Task Force Romania members.”
ATF-Romania este compusa din 135 de militari ai Canadian Armed Forces si cinci CF-18 Hornets. Membrii ATF-Romania provin in majoritate de la 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, spijiniti in principal de 2 Air Expeditionary Wing si 3 Wing Bagotville, Québec.
In urma incheierii misiunii, ATF-Romania cu CF-18 Hornets si personalul navigant se vor reintoarce in Canada in ianuarie 2019.
Aceasta este a treia desfasurare in Romania in cadrul Operatiunii Reassurance, ATF venind in tara noastra pentru prima data intre aprilie-august 2014 (Baza Aeriana 71 la Campia Turzii) si a doua oara intre septembrie-decembrie 2017 (Mihail Kogalniceanu).