Agile Combat Employment: RCAF’s success in TARASSIS

December 12, 2025 - Royal Canadian Air Force

Estimated read time - 2:30

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) successfully concluded its participation in TARASSIS, a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)-led multinational rehearsal that took place in October. Operating from Ämari Air Base in Estonia, Canadian assets also conducted operations across Europe, including Finland, Lithuania, and Latvia reinforcing Canada's capabilities and commitment in NATO's area of responsibility.

TARASSIS marks a significant milestone for the RCAF, showcasing its ability to operate in contested, degraded, and operationally limited environments. Central to this success was the implementation of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Agile Operations Employment (AOE), two strategic concepts that redefine how air forces deploy, sustain, and fight.

ACE focuses on dispersing combat air power across multiple locations, including austere and tactical landing zones, to maintain operational effectiveness under threat. AOE, meanwhile, ensures that all RCAF personnel are trained to adapt quickly and operate independently, even when traditional infrastructure is compromised.

Behind every successful sortie and tactical maneuver during TARASSIS stood a dedicated team of RCAF technicians whose tireless efforts made the mission possible. Operating with significantly less personnel than usual, these maintainers and support staff demonstrated remarkable flexibility, resilience, and professionalism. Their ability to adapt to high-tempo operations ensured that aircrafts remained mission-ready, highlighting the critical role of ground crews in enabling ACE.

One of the most striking demonstrations of ACE took place when CF-188 Hornets landed on Estonia's Jägala-Käravete Highway, marking the first highway landing in Canadian fighter history. This proof-of-concept proves that the RCAF can project combat capability from non-traditional locations.

In Latvia, a CC-130HT Hercules executed a tactical landing in an austere zone, supported by six CF-18s delivering close air support alongside Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from NATO's Multinational Brigade Latvia. These operations were coordinated by Tactical Air Traffic Controllers from the RCAF, developing new capabilities in Op REASSURANCE.

Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Renaud, Commander, Air Task Force Cobra Warrior 25-2, added: "This was about more than flying - it was about building trust, interoperability, and readiness. Our operations across NATO's Airspace demonstrate Canada's ability to lead and integrate in high-tempo, multinational environments."

The RCAF also conducted joint defensive counter-air missions with the Finnish Air Force and Spanish Air Force. These missions were supported by the CC-130HT Hercules air-to-air refueller, an iconic pillar for fighter endurance and operational reach. Through every mission the Hercules carried essential fuel to maintain air superiority and enabled successful operations.

A key achievement during TARASSIS was the hot-pit refueling training conducted with Estonian Air Force personnel. This initiative enabled Estonian technicians to refuel CF-18s under simulated austere conditions, enhancing NATO's cross-servicing capabilities.

"Training with our Estonian partners on hot-pit refueling is a game-changer," said Major Sébastien Tremblay-Verreault, Deputy Commander, Air Task Force Cobra Warrior 25-2. "It means our aircraft can be sustained from allied bases, even in contested environments - this is AOE in action."

With TARASSIS wrapped up, the RCAF's performance reinforces its role as a reliable and agile NATO partner. Through ACE and AOE, Canada continues to modernize its air force and contribute meaningfully to collective defence and deterrence in Europe.