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April 12, 2008: As part of its post-Cold War downsizing, Canada sold its eight CH-47 heavy transport helicopters to the Netherlands in 1991. Canada had plenty of UH-1 type helicopters, which seemed adequate for anything the Canadian ground forces might need. Anything, that is, except Afghanistan. There, most operations are at high altitudes, where the air is thin and lighter helicopters cannot carry much (because of the thin air). The CH-47 also carries less, but being larger, carries enough to be useful. Canada is scrambling to acquire heavier helicopters. Meanwhile, its troops in Afghanistan are being supported by Dutch CH-47s.

 

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