Released on June 2, 2010
Meadow Lake Airport used for portion of Exercise Maple Flag
The Government of Saskatchewan is playing a support role during an international military air training operation currently hosted by the Canadian Forces.
As part of Exercise Maple Flag - which runs from May 17 to June 11 and hosted by the 4 Wing Cold Lake military base in Alberta - Canadian and participating forces are using Meadow Lake Airport, a facility owned and operated by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
"I'm proud of our involvement in this world-class event, which helps better prepare the Canadian Forces and other participants for a variety of potentially stressful and dangerous situations," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "It's not every day we have such distinguished visitors at one of our transportation facilities."
Meadow Lake Airport is being used during Exercise Maple Flag to land such participating aircraft as New Zealand's C-130 Hercules, along with France's and Germany's C-160 Transalls. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI), along with German and French forces will also parachute into Meadow Lake Airport and surrounding area for their training.
"I wish everyone involved a safe and successful exercise and thank everyone in the Meadow Lake area for being so hospitable to our military visitors," Municipal Affairs Minister and Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison said. "I also want to extend a hearty Saskatchewan welcome to all military personnel. We're proud of you and of your service to this country."
The Meadow Lake Airport has been used for part of Exercise Maple Flag since 2008. The provincial airport, about 3 km west of the City of Meadow Lake, has a 5,000-foot-long paved main runway and annually has about 3,000 movements (takeoffs and landings combined) of various aircraft. This facility is one of 17 northern Saskatchewan airports owned and operated by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
Exercise Maple Flag provides hundreds of military personnel from Canadian and participating forces with training in such areas as air transport, air defence and parachuting. It includes a simulated air campaign where fighter aircraft use the airspace of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, which stretches between Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805