408’s Proud Banner Long may 408’s proud banner wave, The banner that flew o’er the braveAs they flew in the dark of night To keep the torch of freedom burning bright. Our bombers helped to vanquish those Who sought their jackboot to impose Upon those fine, free men in many lands, Who looked to us with pleading hands, To help them in their hour of need And see that they, again, were freed. Nine hundred men have paid the price, Nine hundred more would do it twice. No price for…
Read MoreYear: 2012
The 408 Squadron Groundcrew
The 408 Squadron Groundcrew Again the evening dusk doth deepen into dark, As the weary ground crew leave the aircraft, in its dispersal park, They’ve labored here since the early light of dawn, And soon the laden aircraft, once more, into the night is gone. They’ve labored here, day long, to patch each wounded plane, That returned to base in early morn; so it may fly again This night, and carry forth its dreaded load of fearful death, Perhaps, to be delivered with the aircrew men’s last breath. These ground…
Read MoreRequiem for a 408 Squadron Airman
Requiem for a 408 Squadron Airman The nation sends its sons once more To fight for freedom on a foreign shore, They fly into the dark night sky To bomb their target, and, perhaps, to die These airman had no time to see The graves of their paternity, In Flanders fields, or otherwise, Before they died in the dark night skies. The briefing’s done its time to go, We’re off to Essen to see the show, And take a load of a nasty surprise, To drop it out of…
Read MoreRCAF flies Arctic Ram
RCAF flies Arctic Ram Mar. 2, 2012 From Land Force Western Area Exercise Arctic Ram 12, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group’s (1 CMBG) inaugural training exercise, was conducted in the Northwest Territories from February 14 to 26, 2012. Based near Yellowknife, N.W.T., with elements working around Behchoko, Whati and Gameti, it was the biggest and most complex Canadian Army-led exercise ever undertaken in the Canadian Arctic. The Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force worked with the Army, supporting the exercise. The Air Component of the exercise involved…
Read MoreA heart for giving – 408 Squadron member recognized
A heart for giving – 408 Squadron member recognized Nov. 28, 2011 WO Particia MacWilliams (right) assists veteran John Eloch with a wreath at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans’ Remembrance Day ceremony. Credit: Capital Care Kipnes Centre for Veterans. By Capt Rod Dietzmann As someone who has faithfully served in the Canadian Forces Reserves since 1980, and has dedicated herself to duty and in volunteer service, it only seemed fitting that Warrant Officer Patricia MacWilliams be recognized for her efforts. WO MacWilliams attended the Veterans’ Week Opening Ceremony in Ottawa…
Read MoreJumping into retirement
Jumping into retirement Feb. 1, 2012 MWO Ray Tanguay prepares to jump from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter near Josephburg, Alta., on Jan. 11, 2011. Photo courtesy of MWO Ray Tanguay. By Capt Geoff Dear The CH-146 Griffon isn’t normally thought of as a time machine, but on Jan. 11, in Josephburg, Alta., a Griffon took Master Warrant Officer Ray Tanguay back 29 years. A young Ray Tanguay made his first parachute drop in 1983 while he was part of the Canadian Airborne Regiment armoured defence platoon. In January 2012, while…
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