The later model Canadair Sabres were a significant improvement on the great North American F-86 Sabre, and were used by the RCAF and RAF in Europe during the Cold War. It was the RCAF that provided 12 squadrons for the Northern European NATO fighter force throughout the 1950s. Sabres were flown to Europe from Canada, no small feat itself, and at risk of Russian signal misdirection. Two squadrons (on rotation) were kept on a 5min and 15min alert status known as "Zulu", with fully-armed Sabres. While the only live gunnery was practiced off Decimomannu in Sardinia, over Northern Europe they conducted intercepts and mock combats against their sister squadrons. Group Captain Arnie Bauer, RCAF, remembered: "That was the time when we ruled the skies in Europe, there was no doubt about it. The only way that the USAF Super Sabre drivers or the Super Mystere guys of the French Air Force had an edge on us was when they stuck to hit and run tactics, using their aeroplanes as they had been intended. If they felt that maybe they could turn with us, or stay and fight, then we had them."
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