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408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron flies Griffons and is based in Edmonton.

But the number of helicopters the RCAF will eventually send to Mali continues to be uncertain and the numbers could increase. “Details regarding tactics, risk mitigation, and force protection measures are yet to be finalized and many considerations need to be made,” the Canadian Forces noted in an email to Defence Watch. “For instance, regarding operational sustainment, considerations include the possibility of deploying spare helicopters. As planning continues, we will be able to confirm such details in the near future.”

The response didn’t indicate whether that refers to spare Chinooks, Griffons, or both.

In addition, there are no details yet on costs for the one-year mission.

Lt.-Gen. Stephen Bowes, however, has provided the House of Commons National Defence committee with some details on the deployment involving 250 military personnel. The Canadian aircraft will replace German helicopters now in Mali. “As German helicopters come out of the mission, Canadian helicopters go in, and it’s not all at the same time,” Bowes explained. “It’s a phased approach. We’re not talking about international airports, we’re talking of some very small airfields and facilities, so as a helicopter comes out, another one goes in. Our forces will flow in, the main bodies will flow in sometime in July, and in the third week of July we will see Germany’s helicopters come out in the final sense, and Canada’s will be on the ground and will be operational in early August.”