FROM THE LABRADORIAN - reprinted without permission
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Americans Planning to Conduct Low-Level Flights over Labrador
By BERT POMEROY The Labradorian
The United States Air Force will conduct low-level flights over Labrador
this spring. The 14 fighter jets (F-16s) are expected to be at 5 Wing Goose
Bay from April 20-27. The flights will prepare the pilots for an exercise in
Cold Lake, Alberta. The flights, expected to be conducted at about 300 to
250 feet, said base public affairs officer Capt. Plourde, are part of a
step-down process to enable the Americans to participate in Exercise Maple
Flag, an annual event which includes various types of training, such
air-to-air and air-to-ground. Various Allied countries participate in the
exercise, he said. "When they get out to Maple Flag they're going to be
flying at 100 feet, so their flights here will be part of their step-down
process." The jets will arrive from Germany, where low-level flying is not
practised, he noted, adding that the visit will take place during the
regular flying season. "The flights will not take place outside the regular
time frame for raining here. It's uncertain, however, just how many flights
the Americans will conduct here," said Capt. Plourde, noting that one
aircraft normally carries out two sorties a day during the flight-training
season. "So that would bring it to about 168 sorties over six days for 14
jets, provided the weather is good," he said. "We're not sure how many
sorties there will be - they'll do whatever they can during that time
period." The Royal Air Force has offered to provide hanger space and
accommodations to the Americans if it's available at the time, said Wing
Cmdr. Jim Squelch. "That's a big if, because we should have out own aircraft
here by then," he said. The American visit should benefit the local economy,
said Capt. Plourde. "It's money in the pocket of local businesses for the
short time they are here."