OTTAWA – Three-for-one is a pretty good deal, and that is exactly what Canadians stationed at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, the world’s most northerly permanently inhabited location are getting – now that the Canadian Forces CC-177 Globemaster III has made its debut on Operation BOXTOP.

With its much greater carrying capacity, the CC-177 strategic aircraft can move approximately three times more cargo to CFS Alert on each trip.  This lift capability increases the efficiency of the operation, which is underway until August 22, 2010.

“Our Government’s modernization efforts, conducted in line with the Canada First Defence Strategy, significantly contributes to the Canadian Forces’ enhanced presence and effectiveness in Canada’s northern regions,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “This milestone is another demonstration of giving our men and women in uniform the tools they need to do the jobs asked of them.”

The CC-177 made its inaugural landing at CFS Alert on April 14, 2010 and has operated regularly in the Arctic ever since. 

Canada’s four CC-177 Globemaster IIIs, which are operated by 429 Transport Squadron from 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., were delivered in 2007 and 2008 and have given the Canadian Forces unprecedented strategic reach and agility. The aircraft helps with the rapid delivery of troops, cargo, civilians in distress, oversized combat equipment and much more from coast-to-coast-to-coast and anywhere else worldwide.

“The CC-177 Globemaster III has been tremendously beneficial to Canada’s strategic airlift capability, which now includes the ability to augment and increase the efficiency of critical BOXTOP operations,” said Major-General Yvan Blondin, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region. “The Air Force is committed to delivering international, continental and domestic operations, including in the Arctic, in support of the Canadian Forces mission.”

Operation BOXTOP dates back to the 1950s. The Air Force runs day and night – flying fuel and supplies to the station each spring and fall. Over the last 20 years, the mission has averaged an annual delivery of approximately 294,000 kilograms of dry goods and 2.5 million litres of fuel into CFS Alert.

CFS Alert supports signals intelligence for the Canadian Forces and research for Environment Canada. Due to its extreme northern location, CFS Alert must be resupplied by air, which is done largely through a bi-annual resupply operation called BOXTOP. In the past, this mission was accomplished using CC-130 Hercules aircraft.

Source and photo: Canadian Armed Forces