Tag Archives: 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron

Already Cold F-16s and CF-18s Have a Chance to Get Colder in Greenland

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As part of NORAD’s recently completed Operation Noble Defender, Canadian CF-18s and USAF F-16s saw an expeditionary deployment from their bases in Quebec and Alaska across the Artic Circle to Pituffik Space Base (ex-Thule AB) in Greenland to operate from there for two weeks.

They were supported by assorted KC-135s, E-3s, C-150s and CH-149s.

Airmen that supported the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, pose for a group photo at Pittufik Space Base, Greenland, Feb. 5, 2025. Operation NOBLE DEFENDER is an air defense operation under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command designed to demonstrate the command’s ability to defend the approaches of North America from current and future threats while integrating across domains with partners and allies. NORAD routinely conducts sustained, dispersed operations in defense of North America through one or all three NORAD regions, including Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ruano)

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are placed on the flightline during Operation NOBLE DEFENDER at Pittufik Space Base, Greenland, Jan. 29, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ruano)

A CF-18 Hornet from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron out of 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, and a CC-150 Polaris from 437 (T) Sqn out of 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, deployed in support of the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) carry out air-to-air refueling during Operation NOBLE DEFENDER on February 3rd, 2025. (Capt Rachel Brosseau)

CH-149 Cormorant from 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron out of 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, deployed to Pituffik, Greenland, in support of the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR), ready to respond to potential distress calls from NORAD assets during Operation NOBLE DEFENDER. (Capt Andrew Birchall)

As noted by NORAD:

During the operation, local temperatures were regularly below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, with the coldest days reaching minus 29 degrees F (-34 C) and a wind chill of minus 56 degrees F (-49 C). Maintenance and Civil Engineering airmen operated tirelessly in these conditions to ensure aircrews were able to conduct flying missions.

RCAF Hornet does Battle of Britain at 75

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During the 16 weeks in the late summer and early fall of 1940, the RAF took on the so-far undefeated Luftwaffe over the skies of the British Isles and inflicted the first true defeat suffered by the Germans in WWII. Those scrappy handfuls of Commonwealth (and a few American, Polish, Czech and French) pilots and accompanying ground artillery were able to down some 1887 German aircraft and forestall an invasion of the UK.

These pilots included over 100 Canadians of the RCAF’s No. 1 Squadron (later renamed 401 Squadron) and the Royal Air Force’s 242 “All Canadian” Squadron, of whom 23 lost their lives.

In honoring these airmen, the CF-18 Demonstration Hornet of the RCAF this year is a 1940 throwback:

“The top side paint scheme is patterned after the early 1940s earth tone and dark green camouflage used on Royal Air Force and Commonwealth Hawker Hurricane Mark IIs and Supermarine Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.”

This year's CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft, seen here at 3 Wing Bagotville on March 30th, 2015, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Image: LS Alex Roy, Atelier d'imagerie Bagotville. BN01-2015-0189-002

This year’s CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft, seen here at 3 Wing Bagotville on March 30th, 2015, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Image: LS Alex Roy, Atelier d’imagerie Bagotville. BN01-2015-0189-002 CLICK TO BIG UP

This year's CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft gets towed out to the flight line after it's unveiling at CFB Bagotville in Saguenay, Qué. on March 27th, 2015.

This year’s CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft gets towed out to the flight line after it’s unveiling at CFB Bagotville in Saguenay, Qué. on March 27th, 2015. Click to big up

The 2015 CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft is unveiled at a ceremony held at 3 Wing Bagotville in Saguenay, Québec on 27 March 2015. Image: LS Alex Roy, Atelier d'imagerie Bagotville.a BN01-2015-0186-005

The 2015 CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Aircraft is unveiled at a ceremony held at 3 Wing Bagotville in Saguenay, Québec on 27 March 2015. Image: LS Alex Roy, Atelier d’imagerie Bagotville.a BN01-2015-0186-005 CLICK TO BIG UP

The CF-18 is from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron “Skylarks” (425e Escadron d’appui tactique, “Alouette”) who flew Wellingtons during WWII

The 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet 2b