OTTAWA, October 15, 2005 -- Media are invited to attend the departure
of the CF Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) main body, which will
deploy to Pakistan as part of the Government of Canada's contribution to
relief efforts following the earthquake that struck South Asia on Oct. 8,
2005. The main body, consisting of about 150 CF personnel, will depart on a CF
CC-150 Polaris Airbus.
Where: 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., Passenger terminal.
When: The aircraft is scheduled to depart Sunday, Oct. 16, at
6 p.m (ET). Media should arrive at 4:30 p.m. in order to conduct
interviews prior to departure.
The Minister of International Cooperation, Aileen Carroll, and Lieutenant-
General Marc Dumais, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, will be in
attendance for the departure and will both be available to speak to the media
at approximately 5 p.m.
DART personnel will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, and then move to their
area of responsibility in northern Pakistan. This DART deployment is known as
Operation PLATEAU.
Media interested in attending should confirm timings with the 8 Wing
Public Affairs Officer as changes to the timings may occur.
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Captain Nicole Meszaros, 8 Wing Public Affairs
Officer, is the point of contact for this media opportunity. She can be
reached at the following phone numbers: (613) 392-2811 ext 2041, or by cell at
(613) 391-8805.
Canadian Forces imagery can be found at www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca or
by calling the Media Liaison Office at (613) 996-2353/2354.
For more information on the DART please visit:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=301
For more information on the Operation PLATEAU, please visit:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Operations/Plateau/index_e.asp
