Goose Bay base pitches abroad for 'night-strike' training

Top fighter pilots from eight air forces are in Labrador this week to learn about a proposed military exercise that would simulate combat over the area's wilderness.

Canada is pitching a night fighter training event to be held next year, with residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay hoping the training will boost the sagging fortunes of the local air base.

Maj. Greg Shepherd, who is leading the night-strike program, said Labrador's wilderness is a draw for military from other nations.

"They can use some of the very, sophisticated equipment that they'll be using in battle, in an environment that isn't contaminated with a lot of radio signals and TV signals and cellphone signals," said Shepherd.

The night-strike exercise would involve a mock air war over the vast training areas of Labrador and eastern Quebec. Pilots would test their night bombing skills while dodging Canadian CF-18s and simulated attacks from the ground.

Top guns from countries as far away as Greece and Singapore have come this week to 5 Wing Goose Bay, as have representatives from Great Britain and the Netherlands, which used to maintain a regular presence at the base.

The gradual withdrawal of foreign flyers over the last decade has put the future of the base in jeopardy.

"We heard that Goose Bay is back in business, or at least trying to get back in business," said Maj. Scar van Heijst of the Netherlands fighter branch.

"The main purpose of our visit is to see where Goose Bay is, and possibly go with the exercise next year."

However, he said the Dutch are still heavily involved in the Afghanistan conflict. As with other countries, the Netherlands cannot yet sign up for the night-strike exercise.

This week's promotion attracted a possible new customer, the United States.

"We're really glad to be here, just to improve how we work with our allies," said Lt. Chris Hewlett, a pilot with the U.S. Navy. "It's a great joint training opportunity."