- Reaction score
- 8,298
- Points
- 1,160
Faulty memory time:
A long time ago, between here and there, I vaguely recollect a plan to place Hornets closer to the maritime approaches and to operate out of Comox and (perhaps?) Greenwood.
I seem to recall the programme was announced, activated and then stood down with the Hornets being returned to Cold Lake and Bagotville.
IIRC the intent of the exercise was to be able to increase the ability to react effectively against surface threats.
Now I get that Comox is only an hour or so from Cold Lake. And the ships only move 20 to 40 miles in that time. So forward basing of the Hornets doesn't seem to me to be a major problem. But it does leave the Air Force isolated from its RCN partners in the same way they are isolated from their Army partners.
A bigger question though is: if the RCAF is going to be assisting the RCN in protecting the maritime approaches shouldn't they have at least some Air to Surface variants of Harpoon in their arms locker -for both the Auroras and the Hornets?
Equally shouldn't they be investing in SDBs, Brimstones and Stand Off Weapons as well as AMRAAMs and ASRAAMs?
Or do they already have that gear in stores?
Is it only the Army that has a disconnect with the RCAF?
A long time ago, between here and there, I vaguely recollect a plan to place Hornets closer to the maritime approaches and to operate out of Comox and (perhaps?) Greenwood.
I seem to recall the programme was announced, activated and then stood down with the Hornets being returned to Cold Lake and Bagotville.
IIRC the intent of the exercise was to be able to increase the ability to react effectively against surface threats.
Now I get that Comox is only an hour or so from Cold Lake. And the ships only move 20 to 40 miles in that time. So forward basing of the Hornets doesn't seem to me to be a major problem. But it does leave the Air Force isolated from its RCN partners in the same way they are isolated from their Army partners.
A bigger question though is: if the RCAF is going to be assisting the RCN in protecting the maritime approaches shouldn't they have at least some Air to Surface variants of Harpoon in their arms locker -for both the Auroras and the Hornets?
Equally shouldn't they be investing in SDBs, Brimstones and Stand Off Weapons as well as AMRAAMs and ASRAAMs?
Or do they already have that gear in stores?
Is it only the Army that has a disconnect with the RCAF?