4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake personnel are in full operation mode, taking part in Exercise COUGAR SOUTH 26 in Key West, Florida.

The annual deployment is a key part of maintaining Canada’s air force readiness, giving crews the chance to keep flying and training at a high level during the winter months.

Keeping Skills Sharp Year-Round

Exercise COUGAR SOUTH allows aircrew and support teams to continue critical flying operations in a more favourable climate. While winter conditions can limit training at home, this deployment ensures pilots and crews stay sharp, experienced, and ready for real-world operations.

The exercise focuses on:

• Maintaining operational readiness
• Sustaining high training output
• Strengthening coordination between aircrew and ground support teams

A Team Effort in the Air and on the Ground

Behind every successful flight is a full team working together. From pilots to maintenance crews and support personnel, the exercise highlights the professionalism and teamwork that keeps operations running smoothly.

4 Wing recognized the efforts of everyone involved, thanking members for their dedication both in the air and on the ground.

10 Field Technical Training Squadron students perform a post flight check on a CF-188 Hornet during exercise COUGAR SOUTH 26 at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, USA on March 3rd, 2026. Please Credit: Avr Marcos Resch, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

409 Squadron ground safety marshals a CF-188 Hornet during Ex COUGAR SOUTH at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, United States of America on 04 March 2026. Please credit: Aviator Marcos Resch, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

A ground safety crew signals for engine start of the CF-188 Hornet during exercise COUGAR SOUTH 26 at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, USA on March 5th, 2026. Please Credit: Sgt Joey Beaudin, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

A CF-188 Hornet is ready to depart for a training mission during exercise COUGAR SOUTH 26 at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, USA on March 5th, 2026. Please Credit: Sgt Joey Beaudin, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Supporting Canada’s Mission Readiness

Training exercises like COUGAR SOUTH play a critical role in ensuring Canadian Armed Forces personnel are always prepared. By continuing operations outside of Canada during the winter, 4 Wing can maintain a consistent, high level of readiness year-round.

For Cold Lake and the Lakeland region, it’s another example of the important work local personnel are doing on a global stage.