What’s happening with the RCAF’s helicopter contribution to the United Nations?

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN
More from David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen

The Canadian government highlighted at the recent Vancouver UN meeting its plan to have RCAF helicopters sent on United Nations missions.

Canadian government statements talked about an Aviation Task Force of armed helicopters while government staff provided details that the rotary contribution could include four armed helicopters and two “utility helicopters.”

Armed helicopters?

That specific phrase was selected because the UN had asked for attack helicopters. Since Canada doesn't have attack helicopters, government officials figured they would use the phrase “armed” to make it appear like they were meeting UN needs.

So Defence Watch asked what exactly the RCAF is committing to the UN.

The armed helicopters will be Griffons, equipped with door guns, according to the Canadian Forces.

The “utility” helicopters will be RCAF Chinooks. (the phrase utility helicopter in the Canadian context tends to refer to Griffons but in this case the government is using “utility” to refer to Chinooks).

And when or where will these helicopters be deployed? No one knows. It could be a couple of years.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/whats-up-with-the-rcafs-helicopter-contribution-to-the-united-nations