The British Royal Air Force (RAF) will be training in their Tornado GR4 aircraft at Calgary International Airport (YYC) from May 13-24 in advance of their deployment to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. The training they complete in Calgary is a part of a larger training program that takes them across North America to ensure that ultimately they can provide support not only the British Army but all coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Wing Commander Jim Frampton (Officer Commanding No 12 (Bomber) Squadron, Royal Air Force) said: “I greatly appreciate the opportunity for my team to train at Calgary Airport over this period and am grateful for the hospitality that our hosts and the people of Calgary have shown. The training we complete during our time in Canada, though noisy, will ensure we can provide the best possible air support to our colleagues on operations.”

The British Armed Forces have a close and cooperative relationship with their Canadian counterparts, and have a long-established training ground in Suffield, Alberta. The RAF will be flying 4 missions per day from YYC to this training area in Suffield.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Courtney Battistone
Head of Media and Public Affairs, British High Commission, Ottawa
613-364-6131
courtney.battistone@fco.gov.uk