EvanL
04-06-2004, 04:38 PM
COLD LAKE, ALTA. - Negotiations are taking place in Ottawa that could lead to Britain's Royal Air Force sharing the huge Canadian Forces airbase at Cold Lake, Alta.
INDEPTH: Canadian Military
Col. Charles Sullivan, a commander at the base, says if the talks are successful, some British officers would be permanently stationed there. He says their presence would allow RAF fighters to operate out of the facility for five to seven months a year.
The RAF would also participate in training exercises with the British army, which already comes to Alberta every year.
Cold Lake, which is about 230 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, once housed 3,500 military and civilians. Staffing cuts have seen that number dwindle to about 2,300.
This year the base is marking its 50th anniversary.
Written by CBC News Online staff
INDEPTH: Canadian Military
Col. Charles Sullivan, a commander at the base, says if the talks are successful, some British officers would be permanently stationed there. He says their presence would allow RAF fighters to operate out of the facility for five to seven months a year.
The RAF would also participate in training exercises with the British army, which already comes to Alberta every year.
Cold Lake, which is about 230 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, once housed 3,500 military and civilians. Staffing cuts have seen that number dwindle to about 2,300.
This year the base is marking its 50th anniversary.
Written by CBC News Online staff