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Canadians train with Air Force Reservists

  • Published
  • By Lisa Macias
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Members of the Canadian Air Force flew into Homestead ARB on Feb. 11 to participate in a joint international exercise known as ChumEx.

As a yearly event, Homestead ARB’s 93rd Fighter Squadron invites air force fighter units with dissimilar aircraft from allied nations to play “war games” and practice dog fighting skills.

This year, the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Bagotville, Canada, was the first unit to arrive, bringing five F-18s and 15 ground crew members to begin the exercise.

We “throw out the bait and stir up the fight, which is why it is referred to as ChumEx,” said Lt. Col. Mike “Bama” Lesman, a pilot with the 93rd Fighter Squadron.

One of the major aspects of ChumEx is the dogfighting, where the pilots go up in a six vs. eight or six vs. 10 flying formation. The pilots from both units take turns playing the role of an adversary, or Red Air, simulating a MiG-29 or Su-27.

Not only is this a positive training experience for the pilots, but it also resembles a real-world scenario where Americans would serve alongside fellow coalition pilots in a NATO or multi-national mission.

“It is important for us to continue these types of exercises with our American brothers,” said Maj. Sylvain Menard, a Canadian Air Force F-18 pilot with the 425th.

“Not only is there an exchange of knowledge, but we enjoy the social aspect as well.”

Capt. Aaron Macluskie, another Canadian Air Force F-18 pilot with the 425th expressed how the training provides a “ton of experience.”

The good weather seemed important as well.

“It is 30-below back in Canada,” he said.

The next unit to arrive for ChumEx in the month-long training will be the 441st Tactical Fighter Squadron from Cold Lake, Canada. In total, 87 Canadian Airmen will be involved in the exercise.

Another incentive in ChumEx is the familiarization rides the pilots will receive. The American F-16 pilots will have the opportunity to fly in the Canadian F-18s and vice versa.

After a busy hurricane season, followed by a four-month deployment to Iraq, the Airmen at Homestead ARB seem happy to get some realistic training done while the weather is good.

“It’s great to have our buddies from Canada down here,” said Colonel Lesman.
ChumEx will continue at Homestead ARB until mid-March.