RCAF Unveil AWACS Wings
 

News Article | New aircrew badge announcement made at 22 Wing North Bay

New aircrew badge announcement made at 22 Wing North Bay

The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) unveiled the new Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircrew badge (‘wings’) at North Bay’s 22 Wing/Canadian Air Defence Sector on Friday, October 23.

The badge was converted from the current upswept flight crew specialty badge to the more appropriate out-stretched full wing Aircrew Flying badge and will be worn by AWACS qualified Aerospace Controllers (AECs) and Aerospace Control Operators (AC Ops). The timing of this ceremony was fitting given that October 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of air defence operations in the RCAF.......

The badge was converted from the current upswept flight crew specialty badge to the more appropriate out-stretched full wing Aircrew Flying badge and will be worn by AWACS qualified Aerospace Controllers (AECs) and Aerospace Control Operators (AC Ops). The timing of this ceremony was fitting given that October 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of air defence operations in the RCAF.


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Mumble, mumble, full wings are for pilots, and half-wings are for the other wannabes, mumble mumble...

Have Canada got an AEW platform?

Or is this for their folk on the NATO E-3 wing in Germany?

Canada no longer participates in the NAEW&C Force.

or does it....In 2011, Canada decided to withdraw from the NATO AWACS program. The official reason behind this decision was to save money ($50 million a year). However, it is speculated that Canada withdrew from the program because of a lack of recognition displayed by its NATO allies. In February 2018, Canada rejoined the program. In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the NATO Summit that Canada will provide up to 25 personnel over the next five years to the program.

This promise has still not materialized. Thus far, Canada rejoined the program at the entry level where it is focused on funding the program’s operations rather than personal contributions. Jessica Lamirande, the National Defence spokeswoman, said: “Canada did not regain access to AWACS-related industrial benefits for modernization and upgrade when it re-engaged with the program. The fleet modernization will continue to be the responsibility of the programme’s current 16 members, who will retain all of the industrial benefits associated with the programme. However, Canadian industry has regained eligibility to compete for contracts related to the operations and maintenance of the AWACS.”

Canada should consider fully rejoining the NATO AWACS program in order to display capability and receive related benefits. Canada should also consider procuring its own AEW&C aircraft. Countries all around the world such as Mexico, Thailand, or Chile possess their own AEW&C aircraft. If Canada wants to catch up to other countries and be able to successfully monitor its massive coastline, then it should consider acquiring several AEW&C aircraft. The most ideal AEW&C aircraft to procure would be the 2009 Boeing 737 AEW&C which is the spiritual successor of the obsolete E-3 Sentry and is used, for example, by the Royal Australian Air Force. Canada’s current lack of AEW&C aircraft leaves a major gap in the country’s defences – one that should be filled before it is exploited.

from here - Canada?s Relationship to NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) ? NAOC

They participate in the Tinker E3 AWACS force as part of their partnership in NORAD.


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Members of the Canadian Detachment at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma

In 1979, a handful of Canadians arrived in Tinker, located near Oklahoma City, Okla., to support the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) air sovereignty mission. At that time, the Canadian detachment comprised 14 Canadian personnel whose duty involved support of continental defence operations, onboard the newly-acquired E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft. Under the North American Air Defense Modernization agreement between the United States and Canada, the number of military members stationed in Tinker grew to 43. Most are members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), along with some members of the Canadian Army.

Today, those assigned to the Canadian detachment fill 12 of the 13 crew positions aboard the E-3 Sentry, as well as instructor and flight evaluator roles. They are fully integrated into the 552nd Air Control Wing and are assigned to one of four operational squadrons, two training squadrons and an operational support squadron.

Since 1979, Canadian aircrew have participated in nearly every expeditionary action alongside members of the United States Air Force. Canadians flew in both Gulf Wars. After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Canadians in the Tinker AWACS community were among the first to fight in the War on Terror.

In 2011, Canadian detachment personnel served overseas in Operation Unified Protector, enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya. In addition to expeditionary action, Canadian crewmembers have regularly participated in domestic air operations such as those surrounding G8/G20 summits, major sporting events, or counter-drug operations.

Canada announced it would re-join the E-3A Component at Geilenkirchen in 2018.