By Grant Warkentin
Featured image: A CF-18 on the tarmac at 4 Wing Cold Lake. From CAF / Wikimedia Commons
Locals can expect to see CF-18 fighter jets in the skies during the next week, as teams from Cold Lake are training in the region.
According to 19 Wing Public Affairs, several CF-18 “Hornets” from 4 Wing Cold Lake will be operating out of 19 Wing in Comox until September 21. They are in the region to practice simulated close air support missions.
The jets will be flying northwest of Campbell River, and on the mainland coast near Mount Waddington. They will also be engaged in low-level missions in designated training airspace near Kingcome, Knight, and Bute Inlets, and members of the public may see them flying past.
“As the Royal Canadian Air Force’s frontline multi-role fighter jet, the CF-18 is a high-performance aircraft designed for speed and agility. As a result, it can be significantly louder than commercial aircraft, particularly during takeoff, low-level flying, or when operating at high power,” says a statement from 19 Wing Public Affairs. “Routine training exercises like this are essential to ensure that pilots and crews are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to a range of missions, including defending Canadian airspace, supporting NORAD commitments, and assisting in domestic and international operations.”
The Public Affairs office says training activities are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety while minimizing disruption wherever possible.
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