Cold Lake mayor wants CF-18 fighter jets to continue the fight in Syria

The mayor of Cold Lake doesn't agree with Canada pulling out its six CF-18 fighter jets and returning them and their crews home to his city.

The federal government announced last week it is halting air strikes against ISIS by Feb. 22, but Craig Copeland says with troops on the ground. the Cold Lake CF-18 bomber fleet is still needed in Syria. The mission has been going on since October 2014.

"This is the most important conflict in the world right now," Copeland said on Monday's Alberta Morning. "It's where we need to be; we're an important piece.

"I just think the pilots that we have, the men and women up in the air, are some of the best in the world. We. should be there helping our allies in this mission."

By pulling out now, some members of the military coalition may frown upon the move, Copeland added. 

"Our allies may not really like us leaving this mission in the air," he said.

"Even though it was [a small group of] planes  . . . they're part of the conflict helping out. Hopefully, we can repair any damage that way."

But he admitted the last few years have been a busy, tough grind for the military families based in Cold Lake. Many families have not been together for months.

The community, Copeland said, does take care of its own when the pilots and crews are overseas; and the base is the "anchor" of Cold Lake. If someone's child needs a ride to a hockey or soccer game, someone will help out.

"I think getting everybody back grounded with their families is going to be refreshing and good, but, you know, this is a fighter base town and we want to be part of the action," Copeland said.

Cold Lake is about 300 km northeast of Edmonton.