- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 410
Air patrols cancelled
PLANE SHORTAGE ENDS ANTI-TERROR MISSION EARLY
By STEPHANIE RUBEC, OTTAWA BUREAU
A SHORTAGE of planes has forced the Canadian military to cut an anti-terrorism air surveillance mission down to two months. Two Aurora maritime patrol aircraft and their crew of 65 will pull out of Operation SIRIUS, the air force's contribution to the war on terrorism, by Christmas -- they deployed only last month.
Lieut-Col. Yvan Boilard, Commander of the Canadian contingent stationed in Sigonella, Italy, said the planes' age and the need for upgrades has limited Canada's ability to answer NATO's calls for air surveillance.
CREWS TAKE BREATHER
"And as a result of the aircraft being modernized in Canada, the length of our deployment was basically dictated by the fact that the aircraft will be required to go into the shop," Boilard said in a teleconference call from Italy.
Boilard said that means Aurora crews are going "to take a breather" from deployments until enough planes have been upgraded.
"Once the aircraft is fully modernized, which is an ongoing project at this stage, I would anticipate the Aurora fleet will be deployed probably more readily and for longer periods of time," he said.
The army is in the midst of an 18-month break from major missions abroad, while the navy has just ended its respite. The majority of military commitments are usually six months, but Canada decided last month to cut the deployment of the two Auroras and their crews down to two months.
PLANES ARE GETTING OLD
"When we consider all of the things that we can do, we also have to consider the fact that the aircraft is getting old and it needs to be modernized," Boilard said.
The only Auroras currently working abroad are the two in Italy. The remaining 16 long-range patrol planes are patrolling Canada's coastlines unless they're grounded for maintenance.
Canada purchased its 18 Auroras in 1980.
They are able to fly for 9,000 km or 12 hours before they need to refuel, making them an ideal fit for a Mediterranean mission, Boilard said.
"And, indeed, it's one of the best (planes) in the world to do this," he said, adding Canada can take credit for significantly cutting back on illegal immigration, tracking suspected terrorists and keeping the Mediterranean safe.
"These people are able to move around fairly well undetected at least in the past," he said. "And we are doing our best to make sure that we detect them."
UPGRADES IN STAGES
Defence spokesman Tamara Murphy said the military is modernizing the Aurora fleet in stages to ensure some planes can still patrol Canadian coasts. To date, 16 of 23 upgrade contracts have been tendered.
PLANE SHORTAGE ENDS ANTI-TERROR MISSION EARLY
By STEPHANIE RUBEC, OTTAWA BUREAU
A SHORTAGE of planes has forced the Canadian military to cut an anti-terrorism air surveillance mission down to two months. Two Aurora maritime patrol aircraft and their crew of 65 will pull out of Operation SIRIUS, the air force's contribution to the war on terrorism, by Christmas -- they deployed only last month.
Lieut-Col. Yvan Boilard, Commander of the Canadian contingent stationed in Sigonella, Italy, said the planes' age and the need for upgrades has limited Canada's ability to answer NATO's calls for air surveillance.
CREWS TAKE BREATHER
"And as a result of the aircraft being modernized in Canada, the length of our deployment was basically dictated by the fact that the aircraft will be required to go into the shop," Boilard said in a teleconference call from Italy.
Boilard said that means Aurora crews are going "to take a breather" from deployments until enough planes have been upgraded.
"Once the aircraft is fully modernized, which is an ongoing project at this stage, I would anticipate the Aurora fleet will be deployed probably more readily and for longer periods of time," he said.
The army is in the midst of an 18-month break from major missions abroad, while the navy has just ended its respite. The majority of military commitments are usually six months, but Canada decided last month to cut the deployment of the two Auroras and their crews down to two months.
PLANES ARE GETTING OLD
"When we consider all of the things that we can do, we also have to consider the fact that the aircraft is getting old and it needs to be modernized," Boilard said.
The only Auroras currently working abroad are the two in Italy. The remaining 16 long-range patrol planes are patrolling Canada's coastlines unless they're grounded for maintenance.
Canada purchased its 18 Auroras in 1980.
They are able to fly for 9,000 km or 12 hours before they need to refuel, making them an ideal fit for a Mediterranean mission, Boilard said.
"And, indeed, it's one of the best (planes) in the world to do this," he said, adding Canada can take credit for significantly cutting back on illegal immigration, tracking suspected terrorists and keeping the Mediterranean safe.
"These people are able to move around fairly well undetected at least in the past," he said. "And we are doing our best to make sure that we detect them."
UPGRADES IN STAGES
Defence spokesman Tamara Murphy said the military is modernizing the Aurora fleet in stages to ensure some planes can still patrol Canadian coasts. To date, 16 of 23 upgrade contracts have been tendered.