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The Canadian military is shipping three Griffon helicopters to Iraq to support the Canadian special forces mission there, the Canadian Forces announced Thursday. It has supplied the news media with these photos and posted the information on its website. The Griffons, operated by 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron from CFB Petawawa, are painted blue for use in domestic counter-terrorism operations (although they have been used internationally before on training missions).

No word on whether they will be repainted for the Iraq mission or left as is.

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The three CH-146 Griffon helicopters will enhance in-theatre tactical transport, including medical evacuations if required, according to the Canadian Forces.

A variety of self-defence weapons are fitted to the aircraft for the deployment, the military added.