The Canadian CF-104’s served in Europe from 1962 to 1986 and while they originally served in the low-level Nuclear Strike and recon role, by 1972 the Canadian Air Group became conventional attack squadrons.

The CAF received 138 CF-18A/Bs. The current plan is to upgrade 80.

The DND plan to reduce the current fighter force to 80 aircraft is sad but many other forces are also reducing numbers. In Canada’s case, as long as Liberal governments remains in power the main enamy of the CAF will be our own government. There are reasons to doubt recent anouncement of defence spending increases will happen.

Sauron

Perhaps if you call death the ultimate retirement.

Sauron

Kev

I agree.

Sauron

Harry

I would apear you are a little testy about the fact that not everyone believes the Su-27 (you can call it a Su-30?? if you insist) is gods gift. In any event I doubt the Su-27 would have much of an edge against any current American fighter in a real war. Results based on cooked up wars gaming where one side is designed to lose are hardly a prediction of a real conflict. Perhaps national pride influences your judgement?

They would’nt be so “cooked up” if thy precious Eagles were’nt absolutely thrashed, would it?

Can you prove the F-15 was abolutely thrashed? Present us with proof Harry not juvenile talk.

The F-15E pilots from 90th FS were absolutely embarrassed when asked to compare with the Flanker.

Get real. Who are you quoting? More big talk mentioned by ACIG with comments from an un-named Russian aviation mag. (Must be a reliable source)

Then we have the sound of those Russian engines!
“The distinctive roar of the Al-31FP would easily humble any western engined fighter to a corner.”

Wooooo!

And then we have your final wisdom.

The USAF does’nt deal with homeland protection and will not go to war unless the situation is such that it would win. Giving credit to the lawndart for the USAF’s combat successes is an insult to all the Tanker, AWACS, JSTAR and Raven crews who contributed a much bigger chunk. The situation calling for an equal matchup, the F-16 has no chance.

Absolute insulting nonsense and coming from someone who knows better.

Sauron

In Canada we also butcher cows, pigs, chickens, fish, horses (for the european market) wild game of all kinds.We eat their young as well. It’s a veritable slaughterhouse, blood and guts everywhere! :rolleyes:

Sauron

Ben

With respect to Syrian involvement in Lebanon, the U.S. and France are on the same page for once and diplomatic pressure is being applied by both, but the recent spike in diplomatic pressure on Syria is IMHO is a reaction to the recent protests and demands from within Lebanon and not the other way around.

I am sure the Lebanese would have eventually found an opportune time to rise up in mass protest but that they have done so now is IMHO directly related to the invasion of Iraq and the chain of events that have followed as well as the fortunate demise of Arafat.

Sauron

Ben

The simple truth is that (like it or not) events in Iraq (and elsewhere) are causing significant numbers of folks in other M-E countries to question their situation. In the case of Lebanon, the citizens have made it plain they want Syria out and they sense that this is an appropriate time. It started with them, not with foreign (and certainly not EU) diplomacy. It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon once the guy with most to gain or lose has already stuck his neck out.
There is no certancy that everything will evolve peacefully for Lebanon, but if it does go reasonably well, the Syrian population are going to look at what is happening around the area and say what about us?

Sauron