The
Canadian Air-Sea Transportable Brigade Group, or
CAST, was a
Canadian Forces battle group dedicated to the rapid reinforcement of Norway in the event of a land war in Europe. The Group was based on a
mechanized infantry brigade, supported by two Rapid Reinforcement Fighter Squadrons equipped with
Canadair CF-5 fighters and a variety of supporting units. Manpower varied between 4,800 and 5,500 troops depending on how it was counted. CAST formed in 1968 as part of a widespread realignment of Canadian forces in Europe, and disbanded again in 1989 when the Forces were recombined into larger battalion sized group in West Germany.