I also wonder about the Cannucks.
Flew with them and over them back when I was a nugget at Grand Forks. Ran into a few at Red Flag in early 80's when they flew F-5's.
I ask....... How many countries would allow nuclear-armed buffs from another country fly over their territory? Think Chrome Dome procedures back in the late 60's.
So I would rate them very "close".
Gums recalls...