AWACS, SEAD, and electronic warfare crews. Participants join forces against a hostile aggressor (called "Redland"), using the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) territory for all operations. CLAWR is 1.17 million hectares in size and is approximately 70 kilometers north of 4 Wing Cold Lake. Each 10-day phase involves a combination of air-to-ground, air-to-air and other missions twice a day, morning and afternoon. The Air Force Tactical Training Centre (AFTTC), located at 4 Wing CFB Cold Lake, plans, directs and hosts Exercise Maple Flag. Fighter aircraft carry Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods to simulate air-to-air and air-to-surface attacks. Aggressors Played by various aircraft including frequently F-16C's from United States Air Force's 64th Aggressor Squadron. On 31 October 2017 Discovery Air Defence had won the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS), a ten-year contract to provide "Aggressor" aircraft to play red hostile forces during Canadian military exercises. Discovery Air Defence use a fleet of modernized Alpha Jets to simulate red opposition forces. International Observer Program The International Observer Program provides potential future participants of Exercise MAPLE FLAG the opportunity to experience the exercise up close, without committing large amounts of resources. The aim of this program is to secure other nations' future participation in Exercise MAPLE FLAG. Participants have come from a variety of allied and partner nations, including: Australia, Chile, Germany, India, Israel, Philippines, Oman, Peru, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of South Korea and Sweden. Exercise participants Most Canadian tactical combat aircrew have participated in MAPLE FLAG over the years, initially flying the CF-104 Starfighter, CF-101 Voodoo and CF-116 Freedom Fighter, followed by the CF-18 Hornet. Other supporting aircraft have included the CC-177, Canadair CT-133 T-bird, CT-114 Tutor, CC-130 Hercules, CP-140 Aurora, CH-146 Griffon, CT-155 Hawk, CT-156 Harvard II, CC-150 Polaris and the CC-137 Husky. Allied air forces from many NATO countries have been involved in years past, with numerous aircraft types. Examples include: German Luftwaffe: F-4F Phantom II, C-160D Transall, MiG-29G, Panavia Tornado Royal Air Force: Buccaneer, Harrier II, SEPECAT Jaguar, C-130, Panavia Tornado, Sentry AEW.1 USAF/USN/USMC – F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, A-10 Thunderbolt, EA-6B Prowler, B-1B Lancer, KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender, C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter, C-17 Globemaster III, F/A-18E Super Hornet, F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornets, F-111 Aardvark, A-7D Corsair Royal Netherlands Air Force: F-16AMLU Fighting Falcon French Armée de l'Air: C-160R, Mirage 2000-N, Mirage 2000-D, Mirage 2000-5, Mirage F1CT, Boeing E-3 Sentry, A400M