The Royal Canadian Air Force has deployed eight CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft to Norway in support of Trident Juncture 2018.

The supersonic CF-188 Hornet, popularly known as the CF-18, can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground.

The CF-188 went through a phased modernization program to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have a modern and interoperable fighter fleet.

The CF-188 Hornets with one CC-150 Polaris aerial refueller, and two CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft to take part in NATO’s biggest exercise since Cold War that will take place in Norway and the surrounding areas of the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, including Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden.

The live exercise will include a collective defense scenario. It will train NATO and partner nations to work together seamlessly.

Trident Juncture 18 will include 45,000 participants from 31 NATO and partner countries. It is the largest in a series of long-planned NATO exercises to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction.

Canada will send approximately 2 000 personnel. The CAF contribution includes:

• two frigates and two maritime coastal defence vessels from the Royal Canadian Navy
• a Canadian Army light infantry battalion supported by a Brigade Head Quarter
• eight CF-188 Hornet, one CC-150 Polaris aerial refueller, and two CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force
• a Joint Task Force Support Component from Canadian Forces Joint Operations Support Group
• a National Command Element from 1st Canadian Division HQ

Participating in NATO exercises and training provides CAF members with an excellent opportunity to develop their skills and enhance their ability to operate with NATO allies and partners.