Minister Sajjan Concludes Successful Trip to Romania
News release
November 12, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, sets out Canada's role as a responsible international player that upholds universal values, and works together with allies and partners to support global stability, peace and prosperity. Canada's support to air policing in Romania is an important contribution and strong demonstration of our ongoing support to NATO, one of our most important multilateral relationships.
Minister Sajjan visited and held a town hall with the approximately 135 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel deployed to Romania's Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. The CAF currently has five CF-18 Hornets working alongside the Romanian Air Force in support of NATO's enhanced air policing, a peacetime collective defence mission to safeguard the integrity of NATO airspace. This represents the third time that Canadians and Romanians have been working together in Romania, as NATO allies, committed to collective defence.
Minister Sajjan also concluded productive meetings with Romanian Defence Minister Fifor. These meetings provided Minister Sajjan and his Romanian counterpart the opportunity to discuss a number of issues, including the collective resolve of NATO Allies, the defensive nature of NATO in Romania, and Canada's unwavering support to Romania as an allied nation.
"Our bond with Romania continues to grow stronger and is a testament to the unity within the NATO alliance. Engagements such as these demonstrate the collective resolve of allies, the defensive nature of NATO, and the unified stance to deter the threat of potential aggression against NATO Allies. Canada is proud to serve alongside our Romanian Allies and we look forward to continuing this relationship moving forward."
Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
Quick facts
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has deployed Air Task Forces to Romania in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Some of these deployments were bilateral training events, while others were in support of NATO's enhanced air policing:
- April to August, 2014: The CAF first deployed an Air Task Force to Romania in support of NATO's assurance and deterrence measures. It consisted of about 200 CAF personnel and six CF-18 Hornets;
- March 2016: The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) deployed about 100 personnel and four CF-18 Hornets for Exercise Resilient Resolve to conduct bilateral training with the Romanian Air Force;
- September to December, 2017: About 135 CAF personnel and four CF-18 Hornets deployed to Romania in support of NATO's enhanced air policing;
- September to December, 2018: About 135 CAF personnel and five CF-18 Hornets are currently in Romania supporting of NATO's enhanced air policing.
