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Federal budget cuts have been quietly clipping the wings of the Canadian military, with the air force’s fighter jets, search-and-rescue helicopters and other aircraft spending more time on the ground in an attempt to save money.

The belt-tightening, combined with increasing fuel, utility and training costs, has also made it more difficult for the Royal Canadian Air Force to pay for such essentials as removing snow and ice from runways, and has forced it to cut back on preventive aircraft maintenance.

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The revelations are contained in internal business plans prepared by 1 Canadian Air Division, which manages the RCAF’s numerous aircraft fleets. The documents pre-date the current conflict in Iraq, raising further questions as to how that action is affecting the air force’s already stressed budget.

RCAF spokesman Maj. James Simiana says the air force “is always exploring ways and means aimed at ensuring we can effectively and responsibly maintain and deliver operational effect in support of Canadians and Canada’s national interests, both at home and abroad.