Canada sends CF-18 Hornet fighters to help fight against ISIL

Canada lawmakers approve air strikes against Islamic State

OTTAWA - An air fleet consisting of CF-18 Hornet fighters on Tuesday departed from Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in Albert of Canada for the Middle East in support of the efforts to fight against the Islamic State, the Canada's Ministry of National Defense announced.

Through Operation IMPACT, Canadian Armed Forces are adding support to coalition assistance to security forces in Iraq who are fighting against Islamic State, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), said the ministry in a document posted at the its website.

The Canadian support to coalition operations against ISIL included six CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, a CC-150T Polaris aerial refueller to support coalition air operations, two CP-140M Aurora surveillance aircraft for reconnaissance.

The CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft will fly to Kuwait for the support mission.

According to the document, there will be some 600 personnel participating in the operations, including aircrew support elements, such as command and control and logistics. They include 70 members of the Canadian Armed Forces already working with American forces in an advisory and assistance role by providing strategic and tactical advice to Iraqi security forces.