CBC is livestreaming the departure of the CF-18s and a news conference from Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson starting at 9:40 a.m. MT/11:40 a.m. ET.
The CF-18s will travel to Kuwait, which will serve as the home base for launching airstrikes over Iraq.
Canada is also providing two CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft and one CC-150 Polaris air-to-air refuelling plane for the U.S.-led coalition.
The planes are being deployed from CFB Greenwood, N.S., and CFB Trenton in Ontario, respectively.
The federal government has said Canada’s contribution will not involve any ground troops.
