Vanguard Magazine

6 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 www.vanguardcanada.com s sIt REP Trudeau says no change to defence shield and Afghanistan issues Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear that the Liberal government will not change its stance about signing onto the continental ballistic mis- sile defence shield and sending troops back into Afghanistan. Speaking to reporters in Montreal in August, the Prime Minister said his government will always make decisions that are best for Canadians. "And our long-standing positions on those two issues are not going to be changed any time soon." In 2005, following a national debate, Canada opted out of ballistic missile defence program. However, in the past few days, we have seen an in- creased call for Canada to join the intercontinental missile defence shield due to the growing threat from North Korea. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will go ahead with the plan to send more troops to Afghanistan. This has sparked the question whether Canada will be following its southern neighbour and strongest ally. Trudeau's stance on the Afghan issue comes as no shock as he had previously ruled against a NATO call for Canada to send police trainers to Afghanistan. It will be interesting to see how the Trump administration and NATO react to his posi- tion on this issue. The last group of Canadian troops left Afghani- stan in 2014. CAF to participate in NATO Air Policing in Romania Four Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 Hor- nets and over 130 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel will participate in NATO Air Policing in Romania from September to December 2017. NATO Air Policing is part of Operation REASSUR- ANCE, which since 2014, the CAF has participat- ed in to support NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Europe. These measures demon- strate the Allies intent to support the stability and security of NATO's territory and populations. "The Canadian Armed Forces is committed to the principle of collective defence of the Alliance, which is at the very heart of NATO's founding treaty," said Lieutenant-General Steve Bowes, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Com- mand. "Our military personnel are well-trained and committed to contribute to NATO enhanced Air Policing that ensures the integrity of Allies' airspace." The CAF contingent is made up of members of the 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron of 4 Wing Cold Lake, 2 Air Expeditionary Wing and 17 Wing Win- nipeg. In their first mission of Op REASSURANCE, held from April to August 2014, the CAF deployed an Air Task Force to the Romanian Air Force 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii. During that initial mission, "the ATF was engaged in multinational training opportunities that developed interoperability in the areas of air defence, air superiority, and tac- tical support missions." The new Air Task Force that is being deployed to Romania will augment the Romanian Air Force's capability to preserve the integrity of its airspace. "An Air Task Force is an agile and flexible or- ganization that is always ready to employ air power and provide support wherever and when- ever Canada requires," said Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Hickey, Commander, Air Task Force Roma- nia. "Our Air Task Force in Romania is proud to participate in the cooperative defence activities that support NATO's enhanced Air Policing."

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