Several Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) tactical fighter squadrons and support units are participating in a major exercise at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans, Louisiana until late April.
Exercise Cougar South runs from mid-March until April 24. Personnel from 3 Wing, Bagotville, Quebec; 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta; 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario; and 17 Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba are participating in training that covers the full spectrum of tactical employment of the CF-18 Hornet. This includes scenario-based missions; air combat tactics; close air support training; air-to-air refueling training; and employment of precision-guided munitions.
This high-tempo, large-scale exercise is intended to increase the RCAF's fighter force readiness and maintain tactical fighter interoperability between the RCAF, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps. This training is essential, particularly during periods where the weather can limit training in Canada.
