A military operation that helps keep the true north Strong and Free is now underway at CFB Trenton.
A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster from 429 (Transport) Squadron at CFB Trenton left yesterday as part of the bi-annual Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert resupply mission commonly referred to as Operation BOXTOP.
Op BOXTOP is traditionally carried out twice a year in the spring and fall.
The fall mission primarily transports dry goods to the station whereas the spring mission focuses on replenishing CFS Alert’s fuel supplies.
Over the last 20 years, the mission has averaged an annual delivery of approximately 650,000 pounds of dry goods and 1.5 million liters of fuel into CFS Alert.
OP BOXTOP is beyond impressive. It’s a textbook example of the efficiency, professionalism and logistics excellence that 429 and everyone behind this operation brings to the table and the runway each and every day.
We even use it to help our allies gain experience in arctic operations, with a Royal Air Force contingent helping out as part of their own exercise, Ex POLAR PUMA. A contingent from the Royal Australian Air Force did the same last year.
OX BOXTOP provides critical supplies to one of our most vital military installations and also a very important lesson that some superpowers seem to have forgotten. Strong military alliances require cooperation, communication, mutual respect and assistance, and a willingness to act as a team instead of striking first and then expecting others to follow.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
