RCAF prepares for success

Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft assigned to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Canadian Forces Base, Bagotville, Canada, sit on the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, runway while two Canadian airmen work in the cockpit Aug. 1, 2017, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 17-3. RF-A exercises provide realistic combat training, which is essential to the success of air and space operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

Two Royal Canadian Air Force airmen work on the cockpit of a CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft assigned to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Canadian Forces Base, Bagotville, Canada, on the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, runway Aug. 1, 2017, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 17-3. RF-A provides training for deployed maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of large-force deployed air operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

The painted tail of a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft assigned to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron (SQN), Canadian Forces Base, Bagotville, Canada, sits on the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flight line and pays homage to the 75th anniversary of the formation of the 425th SQN, Aug. 1, 2017, during RED FLAG-Alaska 17-3. Their motto is “Je te plumerai,” (“I shall pluck you”) after a refrain from a French Canadian Folk song and they are nicknamed “Les Alouettes.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) airmen speak amongst themselves as a U.S. Air Force fuel truck pulls up to refuel a RCAF CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft assigned to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Canadian Forces Base, Bagotville, Canada, Aug. 1, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 17-3. RF-A exercises are vital to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft assigned to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Canadian Forces Base, Bagotville, Canada, sits on the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flight line while a U.S. Air Force fuel truck with the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron is preparing to refuel the aircraft Aug. 1, 2017, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 17-3. RF-A provides an optimal training environment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region and focuses on improving ground, space, and cyberspace combat readiness and interoperability for U.S. and international forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)