A Hercules aircraft refuels two CF-18 Hornet fighters on May 26, 2015. (Photo: Army Archives – Corporal Arthur Ark)

Canadian fighters have arrived in Europe ahead of the start of six-week multinational exercises in Britain and Estonia.

A team of eight CF-18 Hornet fighters from Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, Quebec, will participate in the exercises, along with a Hercules search and rescue aircraft, a Polaris tanker aircraft and about 160 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel.

Canada’s Department of National Defence said in a statement Thursday that the participation in the British exercise, dubbed Cobra Warrior, is dedicated to training the air force in “intense tactical air operations in a simulated combat environment.”

The biennial exercise brings together NATO member states and partners to conduct a series of tactical training missions designed to simulate real-world combat conditions.

The exercises are scheduled from mid-September to early October, and the Canadian Air Force will be based primarily at the important RAF Waddington air base north of London.

Following the exercise, about 80 RCAF personnel will deploy to Estonia to participate in Exercise Tarasis, a large-scale combat readiness training scenario involving air, land and naval forces from across Europe.

“The strategic partnerships developed during Exercises Cobra Warrior and Tarasis will strengthen the future capabilities and operational agility of the Canadian Air Force,” said Gen. Chris McKenna, commander of the 1st Canadian Air Force, in a statement.

“By strengthening relationships with NATO allies within a rigorous and challenging training environment, the Royal Canadian Air Force will make significant gains in its readiness to meet the challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces over the next decade,” he added.

Canada’s participation in both exercises is part of Operation Reassurance, the Canadian Armed Forces’ long-term mission in support of NATO security in Europe.

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