Established in 1978, MAPLE FLAG is one of the largest of such exercises in the world, as it makes use of the extensive Cold Lake Air Weapons Range which is co-existent with CFB Cold Lake. The exercise itself currently occurs annually over a four-week period, which is split into 2 two-week "phases." MAPLE FLAG provides realistic training for pilots from the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as select allied air forces from around the world. The number of personnel at CFB Cold Lake effectively doubles while the exercise is being conducted, with approximately 5,000 pilots and support crews participating.
History
MAPLE FLAG can be considered a Canadian version of the United States Air Force's RED FLAG, which is held several times a year at Nellis Air Force Base. RED FLAG was conceived during the Vietnam War when the USAF found that 90 percent of combat aircraft losses were during a pilot's first 10 missions; the first RED FLAG occurred in 1975. Initially conceived as Exercise RED FLAG NORTH in 1977, it was renamed Exercise MAPLE FLAG in 1978. MAPLE FLAG copied the RED FLAG format in 1978 and until 1987, it was held twice a year, and reduced to once a year after 1987. MAPLE FLAG has been cancelled three times between 1991 & 2011 all due to significant Royal Canadian Air Force commitments, once in 1991, due to Operation Desert Storm, and again in 1999 due to combat operations in Kosovo. In 2011, Maple Flag was cancelled due to NATO military commitments in Libya. MAPLE FLAG was again cancelled in 2015 due to Operations IMPACT and REASSURANCE. The RCAF decided to not conduct Exercise Maple Flag in 2019. The RCAF will use the opportunity to modernize the infrastructure used during the exercise and to re-focus its resources to update the exercise’s mandate. To ensure that Maple Flag remains relevant now and into the future.
Exercise format
The mission of MAPLE FLAG is to provide training to the Canadian Forces and allied air forces, including fighter, bomber, aerial refueling, transport, air defence, AWACS, SEAD, and electronic warfare crews. Participants join forces against a hostile aggressor, using the CLAWR territory for all operations. The Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is 1.17 million hectares in size and is approximately 70 kilometers north of 4 Wing Cold Lake. Each 10-day phase involves a combination of air-to-ground, air-to-air and other missions twice a day, morning and afternoon. The Air Force Tactical Training Centre, located at 4 Wing CFB Cold Lake, plans, directs and hosts Exercise Maple Flag. Fighter aircraft carry Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation pods to simulate air-to-air & air-to-surface attacks.
Aggressors
Played by various aircraft including frequently F-16C's from United States Air Force's 64th Aggressor Squadron. On October 31st 2017 Discovery Air Defence had won the Contracted Airborne Training Services, a ten year contract to provide "Aggressor" aircraft to play red hostile forces during Canadian military exercises. Discovery Air Defence use a fleet of modernized Alpha Jets to simulate red opposition forces.
International Observer Program
The International Observer Program provides potential future participants of Exercise MAPLE FLAG the opportunity to experience the exercise up close, without committing large amounts of resources. The aim of this program is to secure other nations’ future participation in Exercise MAPLE FLAG. Participants have come from a variety of allied and partner nations, including: Australia, Chile, Germany, India, Israel, Philippines, Oman, Peru, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of South Korea and Sweden.
Republic of Singapore Air Force: KC-135R Stratotanker, F-16 Falcon
Brazilian Air Force – C-130H Hercules
Colombian Air Force – 6 A-29 Super Tucanos, 1 C-130H Hercules, and 1 KC-767MMTT.
Many officers and personnel from other nations have been invited as guests of the Canadian Forces to observe MAPLE FLAG operations. Several private sector organizations have also participated in MAPLE FLAG, providing fictional opposition Redland forces.
