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Canadian Armed Forces scale back British Columbia fire deployment

Canadian Armed Forces Press Release | September 10, 2018

Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 23 seconds.

Canadian military aircraft and approximately half of the Land Task Force will return to their home bases as provincial authorities in British Columbia assess a reduced requirement for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support to provincial resources responding to the wildfires in the Okanagan region.

Joint Task Force Pacific will maintain approximately 100 personnel consisting mostly of reservists from 38 Canadian Brigade Group, 39 Canadian Brigade Group and 41 Canadian Brigade Group to conduct mop-up operations in the Princeton area in continued support to this domestic operation.

“Our thoughts are with all those who were affected by the wildfires in British Columbia this summer,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada’s Defence Minister.

“Though the damage is devastating, I am proud of the contribution our Canadian Armed Forces have made during this time of need. From transporting equipment and firefighters, to containing the fire’s spread through mop-up operations, our women and men in uniform demonstrated their professionalism and readiness to answer the call to serve and protect their fellow Canadians.”

“We are very proud of what our personnel have accomplished over the past weeks,” said Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander, Joint Task Force Pacific.

“We consider it our duty and privilege to help Canadians in need. The safety and security of Canadians is our highest priority, so it is important for us to respond to the call for assistance whenever required.”

  • The Canadian Armed Forces shipped 105,500 pounds of freight, transported a total of 115 passengers, for a total of 202.2 flying hours. During the deployment of personnel and equipment on Operation LENTUS 18-05, the CAF met all of the requests made by provincial authorities, such as transporting personnel and equipment, as well as providing troops to help in mop-up operations to contain the fire’s spread;
  • The Air Task Force conducted 49 sorties which included reconnaissance flights over fire-affected areas and movement of personnel and equipment.
  • At its peak, the CAF’s contribution to emergency efforts consisted of one CH-146 Griffon helicopter, one CH-124 Sea King helicopter, and one CC-130J Hercules aircraft and approximately 420 CAF personnel consisting of mop-up crews, aircrew, aircraft maintainers, air movements personnel, liaison officers, and headquarters and support staff.

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