NR 05-06 - May 15, 2006
4 WING COLD LAKE, Alta. -- Exercise MAPLE FLAG XXXIX (MF 39), one of the largest coalition exercises in the world, will begin next week at 4 Wing Cold Lake, for the first time featuring an enhanced scenario.
The enhanced MAPLE FLAG (MF) will be held during Period 1 of MF 39 (14 to 26 May) and will see an increased involvement from Canadian Forces – air and ground components while maintaining the integrity of training for international participants. A CP-140 Aurora, CC-130 Hercules, CH-146 Griffon and land forces will be incorporated into the MF scenario while concurrently exercising the reach-back capability of the 1 Canadian Air Division Air Operations Centre. MF 39 will also host Camp Medley, a 250-person support camp, as a proof of concept exercise for the Air Force’s new Mission Support Readiness initiative.
“Increasing the scope of MAPLE FLAG 39 provides an unprecedented training opportunity for Canada’s Air Force,” said Major General Charlie Bouchard, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region. “This allows us to maintain interoperability with our allies while demonstrating greater integration of the Canadian Forces within a scenario reflecting today’s unpredictable threat environment.”
MF 39 will run from 14 May and 23 June 2006 and will be divided into three two-week periods. During each of the three periods, forces from Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom and NATO will engage in a simulated, 10-day coalition air campaign. The exercise will also host Brazil, Poland, Greece, Egypt, Singapore and Oman as part of the International Observer Program.
“Over the years, 4 Wing’s cutting edge technology and training assets combined with the vast and unrestricted airspace in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range have made us a leading centre for coalition training,” said Colonel Greg Matte, Commander, 4 Wing Cold Lake. “Exercise MAPLE FLAG is just one way that Canada contributes to making NATO a strong, fighting force.”
MF is an annual, six-week exercise held at 4 Wing Cold Lake. Originally designed to develop junior combat ready aircrew, MF provides training for participating nations in Combined Air Operations in an Air Combat focused environment.
-30-
Note to Editors/News Directors: A Media Advisory will follow with details about MAPLE FLAG Media Days. For more information about Exercise MAPLE FLAG XXXIX please visit our website: (www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/4Wing/training/mapleflag/about_e.asp) or contact the MF Public Affairs Officer:
Capt. Jennifer Jones
Public Affairs Officer – MAPLE FLAG XXXIX
Tel: (780) 840-8000 ext. 8026
Jones.js@forces.gc.ca
