Provision of RCAF C-17 For Mali Mission Extended Another Month

February 14, 2013. David Pugliese  - Defence Watch

The government of Canada announced today that it will extend its support of France’s mission in Mali for an additional month, according to a DND news release.

More details from the release:

At the request of the French Government in early January, the Canadian Armed Forces contributed a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft in support of Operation Serval, the French mission in Mali, and will continue to provide this support until March 15.

Operation Serval is conducted under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 which authorizes the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali and calls upon the international community to support this mission and the Malian Security and Defence Forces.

Air Task Force Mali consists of one CC-177 Globemaster III and approximately 40 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel including flight and maintenance crews from 429 Transport Squadron and air movement traffic technicians from 2 Air Movements Squadron, both from 8 Wing Trenton. Since January 17, a total of 27 flights of more than 194,000 kilometers were conducted airlifting more than 765,000 kilograms of military equipment and personnel in support of Operation Serval.

The CC-177 Globemaster III and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel departed Trenton for France on January 15, and conducted its first operational flight on January 17 in support of Operation Serval.

The Detachment Commanding Officer for the Air Task Force Mali is Major William Church.