Canada's first interim fighter jets have landed.
The two F-18 aircraft are the first of 18 to be transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from the Royal Australian Air Force.
On Sunday, Feb. 17, Air Commodore Michael Kitcher, Commander Air Combat Group of the Royal Australian Air Force and Brig.-Gen. Todd Balfe, representing the Commander of the RCAF and Special Advisor Fighter Capability, marked the arrival of the jets at 4 Wing Cold Lake.
Balfe said the exchange "is a testament of the closeness of our two air forces."
“Our two nations share a long history,” Kitcher expressed, adding the two air forces have fought side-by-side in several wars.
Brig.-Gen. Todd Balfe, representing the Commander of the RCAF and Special Advisor Fighter Capability, shares how the aircraft will benefit RCAF.
The aircraft were transported to Cold Lake from Nellis, Nevada in the United States, where they were participating in Exercise Red Flag.
Before being incorporated into RCAF's existing fleet, the F-18 fighter jets will undergo modifications including paint scheme, inserting Naval Aircrew Common Ejections Seats (NACES), cockpit configuration, installing Canadian software, landing gear modifications, and adding Canadian Sniper Targeting Pod Support and Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) lighting.
“This will ensure that the RCAF maintains the necessary quality of aircraft and help us transition into a future fighter fleet," stated Balfe. “While we continue to work on our current fighter fleet, the RCAF remains focused on maintaining the right levels of skilled and experienced personnel to fly and maintain our aircraft."
The remaining 16 aircraft will be delivered over the next three years, with the final F-18s expected to arrive by the end of 2021.
During his speech, Kitcher described the deep bond that has formed over the years between the two air forces.
Air Commodore Michael Kitcher, Commander Air Combat Group of the Royal Australian Air Force, describes the bond between the Royal Australian Air Force and the RCAF.
He outlined Canada's knowledge of the aircraft has "led Canada to quickly assess the viability of the aircraft from Australia, and has certainly helped with the negotiation and transfer."
Kitcher continued, “These are of course, the first of 18 aircraft that will be transferred from the Australian Air Force to the Canadian Air Force. But let me say, this transfer isn’t just between two countries, but between allies - two friends who have supported each other in the face of war in defence of our countries."
The aircraft will be employed at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 3 Wing Bagotville.
"The interim fighter fleet is key to ensuring the RCAF can continue to fulfill their missions and ensure the safety of Canadians and Canada. We're familiar with these aircraft and are confident that they can provide the additional support our current fleet requires," said Canada's Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan in a press release.
