Page 85 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

An Icelandic controller in the Control and Reporting
Centre ‘Loki’ at Keflavík Airport. The Icelandic
Coast Guard operates the NATO Iceland Air
Defence System that includes an air surveillance
system consisting of four subordinate radar sites.
A radical restructuring of the Royal result, 433 Squadron was resurrected within 3 other jets were used for ‘Tango scrambles’
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2005 aimed Wing at CFB Bagotville on June 9, 2015, while (training). The remaining two aircraft
to free resources for new initiatives and to 401 Squadron resumed flying operations with were used as backup and for training.
enhance maintenance efficiency. As part 4 Wing at CFB Cold Lake on July 20. With this Familiarisation, orientation and training
of the process the four remaining CF-188 restructuring Canada aimed to create a more flights began the day after arrival until full
squadrons were merged into two ‘super flexible Hornet fighter force by spreading operational capability was reached on May
squadrons’. Aircraft and personnel were different tasks over more squadrons. 22. Together with personnel and aircraft from
combined under one command at each 433 Squadron and 3 Wing, ATF-Iceland also
air base; 416 Squadron and 441 Squadron Large detachment involved personnel from the 21st Aerospace
formed the ‘new’ 409 Squadron at CFB Cold Six CF-188s were flown non-stop from Control and Warning Squadron (AC&W) and
Lake, Alberta, while 433 Squadron integrated CFB Bagotville to Keflavík on May 11 22 Wing from CFB North Bay, Ontario. These
with 425 Squadron at CFB Bagotville in with the help of CC-130 Hercules aerial supported the Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG)
Quebec. Responsible for a much larger refuellers. The Canadian detachment that operates the NATO Iceland Air Defence
pool of aircraft and personnel, the ‘new’ relieved the six Italian Eurofighter F-2000s System (IADS). This includes an air surveillance
squadrons needed to carefully balance their from 4°, 36° and 37° Stormo, which had system consisting of four subordinate radar
training and operations. Activities increased been deployed for Task Force Air Northern sites and the Control and Reporting Centre
from 2010 and included airspace protection Ice from March 16 until April 14. (CRC) at Keflavík Airport nicknamed ‘Loki’ after
of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in The Canadian Hornets took up residence a figure from Norse mythology. The radar
Vancouver, joint operations with the in the shelter area in the southwest of the sites and CRC feed the so-called recognised
Canadian Army, Navy and Canadian Special airport. Two fully armed aircraft were placed air picture (RAP) into the NATO Integrated Air
Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), in the alert facility for ‘Alpha scrambles’ and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS)
the NORAD tasking, various deployments (real, high-priority scrambles), while two controlled by NATO’s Allied Air Command
to Europe and the Middle East and the
launch of Operation Impact against so-called Iceland air policing deployments
Islamic State (IS) in 2014. Managing training, Date Nation Unit Aircraft
sending people and aircraft on deployments
and maintaining readiness for upcoming May 5 to June 30, 2008 France EC 1/2 Mirage 2000C
deployments became logistically almost September 2008 United States 493rd FS F-15C
impossible at squadron level. This challenge March 2009 Denmark Esk 727 and 730 F-16AM
was recognised and the decision made to June 2009 Norway 332 Skv F-16AM
revert to a four-squadron structure. As a September 2009 United States unknown F-15
March 2-29, 2010 Denmark Esk 727 and 730 F-16AM
Above: The Canadian Armed Forces have
undertaken operations Ignition and Reassurance June 1-25, 2010 Germany JG 71 F-4F
since 2011 to support NATO assurance and September 6-24, 2010 United States 493rd FS F-15C
deterrence measures aimed at maintaining stability March 28 to April 30, 2011 Canada 409 Squadron CF-188
and security in Central and Eastern Europe.
Left: In total, ATF-Iceland conducted 270 CF-188 June 2011 Norway 332 Skv F-16AM
flying hours during 172 sorties. Following the September 2011 United States unknown F-15
mission to Iceland, aircraft and personnel March 5 to April 2, 2012 Germany JG 71 F-4F
from 4 Wing at CFB Cold Lake plan to deploy to
Romania in September, also as part of Operation May 1 to June 7, 2012 United States 493rd FS F-15C
Reassurance. August 7 to September 20, 2012 Portugal 201 and 301 Esq F-16AM
March 18 to April 28, 2013 Canada 425 Squadron CF-188
June 7 to July 10, 2013 Italy 4°, 36° and 37° Stormo F-2000
November 2013 United States 493rd FS F-15C
January 27 to February 21, 2014 Norway 332 Skv F-16AM
May 16 to June 5, 2014 United States 493rd FS F-15C
October 10 to December 3, 2014 Czech Republic 211. taktická letka JAS 39C
April 2015 United States 493rd FS F-15C
July 27 to August 28, 2015 Czech Republic 211. taktická letka JAS 39C
August 31 to October 2, 2015 Denmark various F-16AM
April 4-28, 2016 United States 131st FS F-15C
May 30 to June 30, 2016 Norway various F-16AM
October 5 to November 2, 2016 Czech Republic 211. taktická letka JAS 39C
March 16 to April 14, 2017 Italy 4°, 36° and 37° Stormo F-2000
May 11 to June 19, 2017 Canada 433 Squadron CF-188

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