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The outgoing long-range patrol detachment and the air-to-air refuelling detachment of Air Task Force-Iraq officially wrapped up their six-month deployments on Operation Impact with a change-of-command ceremony on Oct. 11, 2016.
The ceremony also marked the completion of 151 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the Royal Canadian Air Force personnel supporting and flying the CP-140 Aurora. It also marked the completion of 165 air-to-air refuelling missions for the CC-150T Polaris in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition effort to defeat Daesh.
The CP-140 Aurora missions were maintained, supported and flown mainly by personnel from 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., and 19 Wing Comox, B.C., while the Polaris was flown by personnel from 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., and supported by a combination of civilian and military personnel. The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions focused on the buildings, equipment and assets used by Daesh in Iraq. This information contributed to the coalition’s knowledge of Daesh’s presence and capabilities, and often led to kinetic strikes which assisted Iraqi Security Forces on the ground fighting Daesh.
“When the coalition had a no-fail intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission, they specifically asked for the Aurora,” the commanding officer of the outgoing long-range patrol detachment said, “and we answered the call every time, successfully, launching 100 per cent of our missions.”
The refuelling service provided by the CC-150T Polaris was vital to the increasing of the endurance of coalition aircraft conducting air strikes against Daesh. The Polaris offloaded more than nine million pounds (4,082,331.33 kilograms) of fuel to more than 1000 coalition fighter aircraft during Roto 3.
“Our success enabled fighters and strike aircraft to support troops on the ground,” said the outgoing long-range patrol detachment commanding officer. “Being in this operational environment and directly contributing to this mission was the highlight of my career.”
Despite record-breaking heat, the high operational tempo and the extended time away from home, Roto 3 members kept the aircraft flying through hard work. The dedication and resourcefulness of the support teams enabled the Aurora and Polaris aircraft to achieve a nearly 100 percent mission success rate.
“The standard was set high,” said the incoming long-range patrol detachment commanding officer, “and if we can maintain that standard, I will go home a happy man.”
The incoming air-to-air refuelling detachment commanding officer closed the ceremony by saying, “I would like to thank Roto 3 for leaving me with a well-oiled machine. With the continued support of Joint Task Force-Iraq and Air Task Force-Iraq, we will continue to make a great contribution to the coalition.”
