Advertisement

April 18, 2017 / 11:23 AM

Canada deploys CH-146 helicopters to Iraq

The deployment also includes 60 Canadian air force personnel, and will be used to provide tactical support for Canadian ground forces.

Canadian air force personnel have deployed to Iraq to support the international fight against the Islamic State. Photo by the Royal Canadian Air Force

Canadian air force personnel have deployed to Iraq to support the international fight against the Islamic State. Photo by the Royal Canadian Air Force

April 18 (UPI) -- Canada's air force on Monday deployed four CH-146 Griffon helicopters to support coalition efforts against militants in northern Iraq.

According to a statement released by the country's defense ministry, the deployment aims to support the U.S.-led coalition fight against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL and Daesh.

Advertisement

The deployment includes 60 Canadian air force personnel. The CH-146 Griffon helicopters will be used to provide tactical support for Canadian ground forces.

"The Royal Canadian Air Force is proud to be part of the Canadian Armed Forces' contribution to the ongoing fight against Daesh," Maj. Gen. Christian Drouin said in a press release. "We provide air power that integrates with and supports our CAF and coalition partners. The tactical helicopter detachment is a crucial component of this commitment."

The Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter is a multirole rotorcraft procured by Canadian forces to replace aging CH-118 fleets based on UH-1 Hueys.

The aircraft is used to provide combat support, training and search-and-rescue operations. It is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney PT6T-34 turboshaft engines, allowing the helicopter to reach a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour and a cruising speed of 135 miles per hour.

Advertisement

A modernization plan has been implemented to keep the CH-146s in service until the early 2020s.

Read More

Topics
Islamic State

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Defense News // 2 years ago

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine continues to have U.S. support against Russian aggression and is free to decide its own foreign policy during a visit to Kyiv Tuesday.

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Defense News // 2 years ago

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a new security agreement with Georgia Monday, seeking to buttress relations with the Black Sea nation as it continues to face Russian troops in two of its regions.

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Defense News // 2 years ago

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Monday ordered all Department of Defense civilian employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Defense News // 2 years ago

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is investigating the suspected suicides of three soldiers based at New York's Fort Drum.

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Defense News // 2 years ago

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Four U.S. Marines remain hospitalized after an attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month as service members were evacuating foreign nationals and refugees.

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

Defense News // 2 years ago

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion has agreed to supply its DiaTrust rapid COVID-19 test kit to the U.S. military.

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Defense News // 2 years ago

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Army has successfully tested the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle to clear it for fielding.

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bahraini leaders committed Thursday to partnering with a new U.S. Navy task force to ramp up new unmanned system efforts.

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. fighter jets escorted a small plane flown by a U.S. Army soldier out of restricted air space over New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement