Canada sends more planes to help with Gustav searches

NEWS RELEASE

CANADA COMMAND

************************* Canadian Forces continue assistance with U.S. hurricane response efforts OTTAWA, ON -(September 1) - The Government of Canada, in response to a request from the United States government, deployed additional aircraft today to Florida to assist with search and rescue efforts in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.

Two CC-130 Hercules aircraft deployed from 14 Wing, Greenwood, N.S. and 17 Wing, Winnipeg, to provide assistance with the next phase of hurricane relief efforts.

The two planes were sent to the United States under the provisions of the Civil Assistance Plan as part of Operation UNIFY, the official designation for the Canadian Forces (CF) mission.

The CF also deployed a CC-177 Globemaster aircraft on August 31 to assist with the evacuation in advance of the hurricane.

That aircraft completed its mission but remains on standby at 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario, to provide further assistance, should it be requested.

"This effort is in keeping with the Canadian Forces' long-standing tradition of providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," said National Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "The Government of Canada is standing by to provide any further assistance required by our neighbours."

"One of Canada Command's primary roles is providing civil and humanitarian aid in times of disaster," said Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, commander of Canada Command and former commander of the Canadian task group that deployed to the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. "The civil assistance plan has proven itself to be an excellent mechanism to facilitate our ability to support those in need, as agreed upon by our respective governments."

"Canada's air force has demonstrated exceptional flexibility and responsiveness with multiple air assets," said Maj.-Gen. Marcel Duval, combined forces air component commander. "We will continue to monitor the need and stand ready to assist where needed."

Canada Command is the Canadian Forces formation responsible for the conduct of all Canadian military routine and contingency domestic operations in North America.

Canada Command is working closely with its U.S. counterpart, Northern Command as part of a whole of government approach to ensure appropriate support to the United States.

The civil assistance plan, signed on February 14, 2008, is a bilateral Canada-United States plan that facilitates military-to-military cooperation in support of a civil emergency in either country, once agreement for assistance is reached between the two governments.

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