Latest news with #MarkBasanta
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Strong action will be taken for planes, drones violating G7 no-fly zone, says RCMP
CALGARY — The RCMP says air restrictions will be in place in two main areas during the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta this June and officials will make sure that no unwanted drones or aircraft enter airspace. Sgt. Mark Basanta from RCMP Protective Operations said the no-fly zones will include both the Calgary International Airport and Kananaskis, where the leaders will be. He said the radius at Kananaskis Village will be 30 nautical miles (56 kilometres), while it will be 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) at the airport. The restrictions are set to begin at 6 a.m. June 14 and remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on June 17. Basanta said unauthorized aircraft and drones will be met by RCMP or Canadian Forces aircraft and could be shot down as a last resort. "Shooting is an extreme measure, but yeah, we have the capability to take them down," Basanta said Friday in an aircraft hangar at the Springfield airport, located on Calgary's western edge. "Our hope is if they're heading towards it, there will be a broadcast over their frequency and basically they'll be told to change their heading," he added. "Short of doing that, they can expect to be intercepted by the Canadian Armed Forces that are flying. They will be met. They will be intercepted. We do have F-18s flying a combat air patrol. Hopefully that's enough of a deterrent." Canada will host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union at the meeting scheduled from June 15 to 17. Basanta said his biggest concern is the use and popularity of drones. He said there will be a counter-drone team deployed in the Kananaskis region to curb their behaviours. "We have a lot of people in the country, a lot of drone enthusiasts that will be flying, but we do have measures where we can take them down," Basanta said. He didn't specify what the measures could be but said drones pose a "grave risk." "Our main concern is the hobbyists flying the drones inadvertently flying into the aircraft. A threat from a drone is one thing ... it's also ensuring the safety of our own aircraft that are in the air." In January, a California man was charged after operating a drone that crashed into a Quebec water bomber fighting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The CL-415 plane was grounded after the small remote-controlled aircraft flew into it on Jan. 9, leaving a sizable hole in its wing. Basanta said the restrictions will not affect regularly scheduled commercial flights. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Persistent intruders flying into restricted G7 Kananaskis airspace could be shot down: RCMP
Article content Pilots persistently breaching restricted airspace over the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis could be shot down my military aircraft, an RCMP security official said Thursday. Article content Aerial intruders who refuse to obey orders to turn back from restricted airspace radiating 30-nautical miles from the summit venue at Kananaskis Village could be brought down with force as a last resort, said Sgt. Mark Basanta, lead aerospace planner for the G7 which runs from June 15 to 17. Article content Article content 'Shooting is an extreme measure but yes, we have the capability of taking them down,' Basanta told a press conference at the Springbank Airport just west of the city. Article content Article content 'They'll be met, they'll be intercepted, we do have (CF-)18s flying combat air patrol, we'll have Griffons (military helicopters) support. Hopefully that'll be a deterrent for them to turn around.' Article content He noted those aircraft will be making practice runs in the area in the lead-up to the gathering of leaders from Canada, the U.S., Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Japan that's considered the largest security operation in the world. Article content Another flight exclusion zone banning unauthorized manned aircraft and drones radiating 20 nautical miles from the Calgary International Airport will be imposed, with both being in effect from 6 a.m. on June 14 to 11:59 p.m. on June 17. Article content Article content The restricted zone over Calgary won't disrupt regularly scheduled commercial airline flights, which are expected to be deviated around the Kananaskis zone to the west, said RCMP. Article content 'The hardline zone is in (Kananaskis) . . . there will be a combination of military and police assets in the air,' said Basanta, adding Blackhawk military helicopters are being integrated into the security mission.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Strong action will be taken for planes, drones violating G7 no-fly zone, says RCMP
CALGARY - The RCMP says air restrictions will be in place in two main areas during the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta this June. Sgt. Mark Basanta from RCMP Protective Operations says the no-fly zones will include both the Calgary International Airport and Kananaskis, where the leaders will be. He says the radius at Kananaskis Village will be 30 nautical miles (56 kilometres), while the airport will be 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres). ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Basanta says it would be a last resort, but unauthorized aircraft and drones will be met by RCMP or Canadian Forces aircraft. He says they could be shot down as a last resort. Canada will host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union at the meeting scheduled from June 15 to 17. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Strong action will be taken for planes, drones violating G7 no-fly zone, says RCMP
CALGARY - The RCMP says air restrictions will be in place in two main areas during the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta this June. Sgt. Mark Basanta from RCMP Protective Operations says the no-fly zones will include both the Calgary International Airport and Kananaskis, where the leaders will be. He says the radius at Kananaskis Village will be 30 nautical miles (56 kilometres), while the airport will be 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres). Basanta says it would be a last resort, but unauthorized aircraft and drones will be met by RCMP or Canadian Forces aircraft. He says they could be shot down as a last resort. Canada will host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union at the meeting scheduled from June 15 to 17. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Strong action will be taken for planes, drones violating G7 no-fly zone, says RCMP
CALGARY – The RCMP says air restrictions will be in place in two main areas during the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta this June. Sgt. Mark Basanta from RCMP Protective Operations says the no-fly zones will include both the Calgary International Airport and Kananaskis, where the leaders will be. He says the radius at Kananaskis Village will be 30 nautical miles (56 kilometres), while the airport will be 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres). Basanta says it would be a last resort, but unauthorized aircraft and drones will be met by RCMP or Canadian Forces aircraft. He says they could be shot down as a last resort. Canada will host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union at the meeting scheduled from June 15 to 17. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
