406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron

No. 406 Squadron RCAF
No. 406 (Intruder) Squadron RCAF
406 Tactical Bomber Squadron (Auxiliary)
406 Light Bomber Squadron
406 Squadron
406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron
Active 1941–1945
1947–1964
1972-present
Country Canada
Branch Royal Canadian Air Force
Role Night interception (1941–44)
Ground attack (1944–45)
Tactical bombing/army co-operation (1947–58)
Light transport/Search & Rescue (1958-64)
Helicopter training (1972-present)
Part of 12 Wing
Home base CFB Shearwater
Nickname(s) Lynx Squadron
Motto(s) We Kill By Night
Battle honours
  • Defence of Britain 1941-45
  • English Channel & North Sea
  • Fortress Europe 1943-44
  • France and Germany 1944-45
  • Rhine Biscay Ports 1944
  • Normandy 1944
  • Biscay 1944
Insignia
Squadron Code HU (1941–1945)
Squadron Badge Lynx saliente affronte
Aircraft flown
Bomber B-25 Mitchell (1947–58)
Fighter Blenheim (1941)
Beaufighter (1941-44)
Mosquito (1944-45)
Helicopter CH-124 Sea King (1972-present)
Patrol CP-121 Tracker (1972-81)
Reconnaissance Harvard
T-33 Silver Star (1947–58)
Transport C-45 Expeditor
CSR-123 Otter (1958-64)

406 "City of Saskatoon" Maritime Operational Training Squadron is a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) unit of the Canadian Armed Forces. Based at 12 Wing Shearwater since 1972, it is responsible for crew training on the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopter. The squadron was formed during World War II as part of RAF Fighter Command.

History

The squadron was formed as No. 406 Squadron RCAF at RAF Acklington on 5 May 1941, as part of No. 12 Group of Fighter Command to operate as night fighters. The squadron was equipped with Blenheim Mk.IF heavy fighters, re-equipping with the improved Beaufighter Mk.IIF the next month. They operated out of several airfields in the United Kingdom, changing to the Beaufighter Mk.VIF in mid-1942, and receiving the Mosquito Mk.XII night-fighter during April 1944. They upgraded to the Mosquito Mk.XXX in July 1944, and operated this aircraft for the remainder of the war.[1] In November 1944 it was renamed No. 406 (Intruder) Squadron to carry out daylight offensive operations over mainland Europe.[2] In June 1945 the squadron was posted to RAF Predannack in Cornwall, where it disbanded in August 1945.[3]

The unit was reformed as a reserve unit, 406 Tactical Bomber Squadron (Auxiliary) on 1 April 1947 at RCAF Station Saskatoon.[1] It flew B-25 Mitchell light bombers, and also Harvard and T-33 Silver Star aircraft for army co-operation duties.[2] It was redesignated 406 (Light Bomber) Squadron on 1 April 1949,[4] and adopted the title City of Saskatoon in September 1952.[2]

In March 1958 under the name 406 Squadron,[4] it was re-equipped with C-45 Expeditor and CSR-123 Otter aircraft, and assigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role.[2] The squadron was disbanded again on 1 April 1964.[1]

The squadron was reformed for a third time at CFB Shearwater on 12 July 1972 as the 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, operating the CH-124 Sea King helicopter[1] and the CP-121 Tracker ASW aircraft. In mid-1981, the operational Tracker squadron, 880 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron, was transferred CFB Summerside, which left 406 Squadron only responsible for Sea King training. It currently provides trained air and ground crews for 423 and 443 Maritime Helicopter squadrons.[5] Around 200 to 300 students graduate from 406 Squadron courses each year.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "No. 406 Squadron, Canadian Air Force". canadianwings.com. 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mein, Stewart (2013). "406 Squadron, RCAF". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. ↑ McNeill, Ross (May 1999). "No. 406 (Lynx) Squadron RCAF". rafcommands.com. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  4. 1 2 "406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron". CMP Directorate of History and Heritage. 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "No.406 (HT) Squadron". Shearwater Aviation Museum. 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron". Royal Canadian Air Force. 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.

External links

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