Six Cold Lake-based fighter jets left their base late Tuesday morning, to join Operation Impact in Iraq, as part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

The CF-18s took off just after 11 a.m. Tuesday to start their long journey to Kuwait.

Two more jets will accompany them to their first refueling stop in Quebec – as a precautionary measure.

In all, 100 Cold Lake-based troops will be involved in Operation Impact, and will depart for Iraq in the next few weeks.

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson was on hand for their departure, and called the mission “important”.

“[It is] a mission that seeks to degrade ISIL, a terrorist group that poses a threat to local, regional and international peace and stability,” Nicholson said.

“Our government is concerned that if left unchecked, the threat posed by ISIL will only continue to grow, contributing to the further destabilization of the Middle East,” Nicholson continued.

Last week, 85 soldiers left CFB Trenton to provide support for air strikes on ISIL targets in Iraq. A total of 600 Canadian soldiers will be sent overseas.

Along with the six fighter jets, two Aurora Security aircraft and a refueler will also be sent over.

The mission is set to last for six months.

With files from Laura Tupper and Brenna Rose