Canadian Department of National Defence, OTTAWA: Lieutenant General Steve Lucas, commander of Canada's Air Force, announced today the consolidation of two CF-18 fighter squadrons and two air movement squadrons as part of the continuation of the transformation of Canada's Air Force.
“We are building on the successful consolidations of other squadrons,” said the Commander of Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff Lieutenant General J.S Lucas. “This will allow the newly created squadrons to become more robust and more flexible, while freeing up key positions essential to the transformation of the Air Force.”
The consolidation of 416 and 441 Tactical Fighter Squadrons into the reformed 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, and of 1 Air Movements Squadron from 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba into 2 Air Movements Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, is expected to free up more than 25 positions that will fill high priority positions required to advance both Canadian Forces and Air Force transformation. Many of the positions will augment the recently created Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre based in Trenton, Ontario.
The consolidations will result in no loss of operational capability. There will be no change in the number of aircraft and no civilian positions will be affected.
“The impact to the communities will be minimal. However the change will be integral to the Air Force's continuing transformation,” said Lieutenant General Lucas.
This is a continuation of the Canadian Forces and the Air Force transformation efforts to become more relevant, responsive and effective to the current and anticipated security needs of Canadians. Other maritime patrol, transport and fighter squadrons have already been consolidated.
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