By CP

Canada pulling refuelling plane from anti-ISIL mission

Jan 25, 2019 | 9:09 AM

OTTAWA — More than four years after it started, Canada is ending its air-to-air refuelling support to the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia says the Canadian Forces will repatriate its Polaris air-to-air refuelling plane on Saturday, ending one of Canada’s longest contributions to the war against ISIL.

Santarpia says the decision was made in consultation with allies and it’s based on a combination of factors, including a decrease in the number of coalition missions over Syria and Iraq.

He says it also reflects the shifting nature of Canada’s role in the coalition, which has moved toward training of Iraqi security forces.

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The first Canadian Forces Polaris refueller arrived in Kuwait to begin supporting anti-ISIL airstrikes and reconnaissance missions over Iraq and later Syria in October 2014.

Despite the plane’s departure, Canada continues to have a sizable presence in the fight against ISIL, including two Hercules transport planes, medical personnel, more than 200 trainers and dozens of special-forces soldiers.

The Canadian Press