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The Canadian Hornet is heading back to Ostrava after two years

The Royal Canadian Air Force returns to NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days. Once again, visitors can look forward to a static demonstration of the CF-188 Hornet.

The participation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in European air shows is quite rare due to the distance of this country. The introduction of the CF-188 was made possible through Operation Reassurance, in which Canadian aircraft strengthen the protection of NATO members in Central and Eastern Europe. The CF-188 will arrive from its base in Romania, which coincidentally is also this year's Special Partner Nation of the event.

Read more: Switzerland is sending F/A-18 Hornet Solo and PC-7 Team

"The Hornet jets have appeared in recent years mainly in the dynamic demonstrations, but this year visitors will be able to see this aircraft both in the air and on the ground, which has not happened for 12 years," recalls chairman of Jagello 2000, Zbyněk Pavlačík the participation of the F/A-18 Solo Display Team. "Although returning after two years, we see Canada's participation as extraordinary, and we are particularly pleased that this contribution, as a founding member, joins the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Alliance."

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet was built in the late 1970s, primarily as a multi-purpose carrier-capable aircraft for the US Navy aircraft carriers. Thanks to its qualities, it has found a way into the air forces of other countries. Although some of them operate it from ground airports, even these export machines are equipped with mechanisms for landing on aircraft carriers. Besides, the Canadian version of the Hornet is characterized by one specialty, the so-called "fake cockpit", which is painted from the bottom of the fuselage, to confuse the enemy in aerial combat.