Defence Minister Anita Anand introduced that the Royal Canadian Air Power (RCAF) is enhancing its air mobility operations based mostly in Europe because it conducts ongoing missions there and around the globe. Since late March 2022, RCAF members working two CC-130J Hercules plane have been conducting operations from a hub based mostly out of Prestwick, Scotland. The hub’s personnel have now delivered 4 million kilos of cargo – largely navy help in assist of Ukraine. ‘Hub and Spoke’ operations permits consolidation of assist personnel, whereas allowing flexibility for air operations from a base of operations. To mirror this modification, the Prestwick Tactical Airlift Detachment will now be referred to as an Air Mobility Detachment. This identify change is according to the elevated frequency of flights and use of Trans-Atlantic CC-177 Globemaster air mobility plane.
“By delivering Ukraine-bound navy help donated by Canada, Allies, and companions, Canada is making a useful contribution to Ukraine’s defence. Certainly, throughout conferences with counterparts, I’ve constantly discovered immense gratitude for this essential work. At present’s announcement will allow Canada to ship much more navy help sure for Ukraine – and as Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, this activity stays essential,” The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Nationwide Defence mentioned.
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“The elevated RCAF presence in Prestwick utilizing this ‘Hub and Spoke’ mannequin will enable higher flexibility and effectivity on the subject of delivering airpower to our fellow Canadian Armed Forces members and our NATO Allies. This idea will even improve our confirmed capability to supply help flights in assist of Ukraine. RCAF crews in Europe have been doing an incredible job since March and their motto of ‘Can’t Cease, Received’t Cease’ shall be nicely supported with these new measures,” Main-Common Iain Huddleston, Commander Joint Power Air Part mentioned.
To extend capability and operational flexibility, Canada is including a 3rd CC-130J Hercules plane to the detachment, and deploying assist personnel answerable for upkeep, cargo actions and administration. The Air Mobility Detachment in Prestwick shall be made up of roughly 55 Canadian Armed Forces members with additional augmentation based mostly on operational tempo. When vital, CC-177 Globemaster crews will proceed to make the most of the hub’s sources to extend mission effectivity and suppleness. Bolstering the RCAF’s operations hub will improve Canada’s capability to hold out assist missions all through Europe, together with the supply of Ukraine-bound navy help. This augmentation will even improve Canada’s capability to hold out missions within the Center East and Africa on a periodic or as-required foundation.
