Canadians to Send Fliers Into Combat
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MANAMA, Bahrain — The Canadian air force is sending fighters into combat against Iraq, its first offensive mission since World War II, defense chiefs said Saturday.
Commodore Ken Summers, commander of Canadian forces in the multinational coalition against Iraq, said fighters under his command will go into battle within 24 hours.
Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighters based in the Qatari capital Doha will accompany and protect allied fighters and bombers on missions into Iraqi territory.
Until Saturday, the Canadian armed presence in the Persian Gulf--24 Hornets and two naval destroyers--had been in a defensive role protecting allied ships in the gulf and enforcing U.N. trade sanctions against Iraq.
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