COLD LAKE – Over the month of April, Canadian military helicopters will be a common sight in the air space above 4 Wing Cold Lake.
The Royal Canadian Air Force will be holding an Advanced Tactical Aviation Course (ATAC) at 4 Wing throughout the month of April, starting March 28 and running until April 30.
Residents of Cold Lake can expect to see an increase of CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopter flights taking place in the area.
“Training flights will most often take place in the training areas of CFB Cold Lake during daylight hours,” states Capt. Frédérique Rousseau, the public affairs officer with 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
“ATAC is 1 Wing’s premier flying course, representing the pinnacle of tactical aviation training in Canada. Pilots who pass the ATAC obtain the qualification of Air Mission Commander and are able to plan and execute complex and joint tactical aviation missions.”
Canadian Forces helicopters
Both models of helicopters used by the Royal Canadian Air Force are designed to fulfill numerous tactical and training operations.
The CH-146 Griffon utility tactical-transport helicopter supports the tactical transportation of troops and materiel, surveillance and reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation as well as training and search and rescue operations.
The CH-147F Chinook is an advanced, multi-mission helicopter used to transport equipment and personnel during domestic or deployed operations. It has enhanced self-protection capabilities, including anti-missile protection systems, radar as well as laser warning systems, ballistic protection and self-defence machine guns.
For more details on the Royal Canadian Air Force and its aircraft, visit www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca.
