A I R F O R C E
www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2025 21
Meet the FAcT Fleet
Honouring historical aircraft while em-
bracing cutting-edge capability, the fleet
includes:
• CT-102B Astra II | Grob G 120TP
This aircraft continues the legacy of the
CT-102A Astra and Grob G 120TP pre-
decessors. The name "Astra" originates
from Latin for "Star," reflecting the
RCAF motto: Through Adversity to the
Stars
• CT-157 Siskin II | Pilatus PC-21
Inspired by the Armstrong Whitworth
Siskin, Canada's first true fighter (1926–
1929). It was renowned for its excep-
tional aerobatic capabilities
• CT-153 Juno | Airbus H135 Named
after Juno Beach, a vital battleground in
Canada's historic D-Day landing on June
6, 1944. It also symbolizes Canda's con-
tinue partnership with its allies as H135
helicopters already serve in the RCAF
and Australian forces under the name
Juno
• CT-145E Expeditor II | Beechcraft
King Air 260 A tribute to the versa-
tile WWII-era C-45/CT-128 Expedi-
tor, previously used during the Second
World War to train navigators and bom-
bardiers, while also useful for other roles
including photo surveying, light cargo
transport and passenger operations
• CT-142Q Citadel | De Havilland
Dash 8-400 Paying homage to La Cita-
delle de Québec and the Halifax Citadel
that played key roles in Canadian de-
fence history. This aircraft was designed
to train Air Combat Systems Officers
and Airborne Electronic Sensor Opera-
tors and support the protection of Ca-
nadian sovereignty by operating systems
for long-range patrol aircraft.
