Six Canadian CF-18’s head back to Canada after wrapping up their third rotation supporting Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Mission - Photo by Corporal Gary Calva. Imagery Technician ATF-ICELAND

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Six Canadian CF-18's are headed home after Canada wrapped up their third rotation supporting Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Mission on Friday, Jun. 16, 2017.

At the end of May, the Royal Canadian Air Force deployed six CF-18's from 433e Escadron tactique de chasse (ETAC) 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec along with 180 Canadian Armed Forces personnel including support elements from 2 Wing Bagotville, Quebec to Iceland.

"The Canadian Deployment is here to support Block 29 of NATO's Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs" said Lieutenant-Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell, Commander of the Canadian Task Force.

Since early 2008, when the last U.S. forces left Iceland, NATO has maintained the mission for Airborne surveillance and interception capabilities to meet Iceland's peacetime preparedness needs.

Iceland provides 24/7 air surveillance with their radar sites and NATO makes available interceptor capabilities by typically deploying fighter aircraft to Keflavik Airbase. These aircraft are used to conduct air defence flying training missions and also to provide the necessary degree of training to NATO and Icelandic support personnel.

"This mission is very important to Iceland to show the commitment of NATO and Allied Nations to support Iceland during their peacetime operations", said Icelandic Base Commander Jon Guonason.

The United States Air Force will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force Task Force.