"Balkan Strikers"

Balkan Strikers

Sheet Size: 22 " x 33" • Image size: 16" x 26" • © 2008

Print Editions

60 Limited Edition

With FIVE co-signatures.

$220

15 Artist's Proofs

With FIVE co-signatures.

VERY LOW INVENTORY

$250

5 Remarques

With FIVE co-signatures.

$375 (SOLD OUT)

25 Air Force Edition

With FIVE co-signatures.

(not for sale by publisher)

50 Studio Edition

Signed by artist only.

$160

During 1999, Canadian CF18 Hornets take off from their base in Italy to strike targets at Kosovo during the Balkan Campaign.

Signatures

Lt. Col. 'Norm' Balfe — Raised in a military family, Lieutenant-Colonel 'Norm' Balfe joined the Canadian Forces in 1983 and served initially as a flying instructor. He transitioned to the CF-18 in 1993 and served with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) at Cold Lake. Upon completion of the Fighter Weapons Instructors' Course in 1997, he deployed to the Balkans for the first time, leading six CF-18's to Aviano, Italy, and returned in 1998 with 425 TFS. During the Operation Allied Force air campaign, he served in Aviano for the final time as the CF-18 Standards and Evaluation Officer, completing seventeen combat sorties. He continued to fly the CF-18 as the Wing Operations Officer at Cold lake and finally as the Commanding Officer of 409 TFS.

Major Kirk 'Rambo' Soroka — Major Kirk 'Rambo' Soroka was born in Limestone, Maine, USA. He enlisted in 1983 as a soldier, and served in the Reconnaissance platoon of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was selected for pilot training in 1990 while completing his degree at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, B.C. Upon finishing Basic Fighter Pilot training he was posted to 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where he subsequently completed his Lead Upgrade training, before being sent overseas. During Operation Allied Force, he flew 21 Combat Sorties, which were primarily Night Strike missions, involving 4 attacks against well-defended enemy airfields. He has served in 410 TFS as the Officer Commanding the Fighter Weapons Instructor course, the Royal Air Force UKJFACHQ as the Chief Master Air Attack Planner, and is currently the Deputy Commanding Officer of 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron. He has flown 2600 hours on high performance aircraft, incuding 2000 hours on the CF-18.

Major Neil 'Hoss' McRury — Calling Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, his home, Major Neil 'Hoss' McRury joined the Canadian Forces in 1988 after seven years service in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His initial military service as a flying instructor was completed in 1994 when he transitioned to the CF-18 and served with 416 TFS, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron at Cold Lake. He deployed to the Balkans for the first time in support of Operation Mirador in 1997. During the Operation Allied Force air campaign, he again served in Aviano as a CF-18 Standards and Evaluation Electronic Warfare Officer, completing 13 combat sorties. Following the Kosovo war, he continued to fly the CF-18 as a member of the 1CAD Fighter Standards and Evaluation Team, Deputy Commanding Officer of 441 Silver Fox Squadron, and finally, Officer Commanding Air Force Tactical Training Centre, until his retirement from the CF in April, 2008.

Major Jason 'Tubs' Regenwetter — Raised in Ottawa, Major Jason 'Tubs' Regenwetter joined the Canadian Forces in 1987 and served initially as a flying instructor in Portage La Prairie. He transitioned to the CF-18 in 1993 and served with 441 TFS Cold Lake. In 1997 he transferred to 433 TFS, Bagotville. Upon completion of the Fighter Weapons Instructors' Course in 1998, he deployed to Aviano, Italy, with 3 Wing, for the first of four tours. During Operation Allied Force air campaign, he served as a deputy weapons and tactics officer, completing 15 combat sorties. Following the air campaign he was posted to 410 Squadron as an instructor, then a year later to the Fighter Standards and Evaluation Team as the chief CF-18 Standards Pilot. Major Regenwetter completed his career at 416 TFS serving as Operations Officer and retired from active service in 2007.

Major R.K. 'Midas' Vogan — Major R.K. 'Midas' Vogan originates from Ottawa, Canada. He received his wings in the spring of 1990 and flew the T-33 for several years at Cold Lake. In 1996, after completing the Basic Fighter Pilot Course, he was posted to 441 TFS. During Operation Allied Force, he flew predominantly 'Strike' sorties, which were planned ground attack or Close Air Support missions, and he was awarded the General Campaign Star for his contributions. 'Midas' subsequently served at 410 Squadron as an intructor, culminating as the CF-18 Demonstration Pilot and instructor. After a four-year exchange tour with the USAF in Florida, he returned to 410 TFS as the Deputy Commanding Officer. He has flown over 3,000 hours on high performance aircraft.

The Story

On September 14, 2007, the Governor General of Canada approved the creation of the Theatre Battle Honour Kosovo, to recognize the action of Canadian Forces personnel in the skies over Kosovo during the period of Mar 24 to June 10, 1999.

Battle Honours were awarded to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron from 3 Wing Bagotville, and 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron, formerly from 4 Wing Cold Lake.

During the Balkan Campaign, Canadian aircraft attacked fielded forces, struck bridges, airfields and the full spectrum of infrastructure targets from their base in Aviano, Italy.

Depicted are Canadian CF-18's preparing to depart on such a strike.