CFB Cold Lake won’t be hosting Exercise Maple Flag in 2019.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has decided to postpone the event, and to use the time to make changes to the program.
“We’re planning to ensure we have the right capabilities at hand while working to ensure we’re able to meet the evolving training needs of Canada and our allies,” explained Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger, commander for the RCAF, in a press release.
He added, “By pausing to evaluate Maple Flag, including its role and conduct in future years, I’m confident we will be able to deliver a revitalized training experience that will build on the legacy of excellence for which Maple Flag is known for in Canada and around the world.”
As a core activity for the RCAF, they’re committed to organizing Maple Flag in the future.
“It’s too early to say exactly what changes will take place or what our timeline will be... Our first step is to identify how Maple Flag should look in the future, and then develop the processes to make those changes happen,” Meinzinger expressed.
Primarily conducted on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR), located about 70-kilometres north of 4 Wing, Maple Flag has been hosted in the area since the late 1970s.
Originally, its primary focus was to recreate the first 10 aerial combat missions that a fighter pilot could experience during a conflict. It grew to include aircrafts such as bombers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, among others.
City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland said the announcement was disappointing.
“It’s going to be a definite setback for our hotel and restaurant businesses in the Cold Lake area. Having up to a 1,000 people coming here to the community for Maple Flag was always important,” he detailed.
MD of Bonnyville Coun. Ben Fadeyiw agreed, adding it’s become an integral part of the region.
“The CFB (Cold Lake) has done a great job trying to keep it (going), but again, it’s not their decision. It does cost a lot of money to organize these exercises,” he said, adding as a municipality, they can understand the need to cut costs.
The impact it will have on the city was a concern for Ryan Lefebvre, president of the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce. He said in a press release that this isn’t the first announcement regarding 4 Wing that impacts local businesses.
“We understand that a significant amount of work needs to take place to modernize the range and bring back the exercise... Our city has taken hit after hit, and despite our city council’s hard work and best efforts to be heard, we’re not sure the message has been received.”
According to the RCAF, the postponement will allow them to upgrade infrastructure in the training area to ensure the exercise remains modern, safe, and relevant.
“With the many technological advancements in military aviation over the decades, there has emerged a need for training methods and infrastructure to advance, as well,” detailed Meinzinger.
Copeland believes the news is a good way to accomplish the enhancements needed.
“Maple Flag ties up a lot of staff resources at the Wing. By taking the pause here, we can focus on upgrading.”
