Operation Jump Moat

Larry Milberry

As CF-100 production neared its end, RCAF Squadrons were fully up to strength. An earlier plan to create several CF-100 auxilliary squadrons had been shelved, affecting Avro's hopes for future production; but there was recompense in a Mutual Aid Plan order financed through Washington in 1957 for 53 CF-100 Mk. 5s for the Belgian Air Force.

The order came about from NATO's concern that its all-weather fighter capability was still lacking. The Belgians particularly were interested in improving the situation. On October 27, 1957, 53 CF-100 Mk. 5s were struck off RCAF strength and consigned to the Belgians.

Because of the Belgians' lack of familiarity with trans-Atlantic ferrying, delivery of their Mk. 5s overseas was done by RCAF crews in a series of flights called "Jump Moats". The first Jump Moat terminated in Marville, where Belgian crews accepted their CF-100s, still in RCAF markings. This enabled initial delivery to Belgium to be made by Belgians. On December 20, 1957, the official Belgian acceptance took place at No. 1 Wing, Beauvechain.

Handover of CF-100s to the Belgian Air Force at Beauvechain.