News release from the CF:
EDMONTON – Members of Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) have begun returning home from their mission in the Philippines just in time for the holidays. The first 408 THS personnel arrived this
morning where they were greeted by family, friends, squadron members and VIPs. Additional members of the Squadron will be returning to Edmonton over the next several days via Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-177 Globemaster III transports.
On 10 November 2013, the Government of Canada deployed the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (ISST) to the Philippines aboard a RCAF CC-144 Challenger aircraft to help assess the needs of the affected population and identify areas for potential support. Within 24 – hours of this initial deployment, additional RCAF aircraft and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) had been mobilized and were enroute to the region.
The RCAF began deploying three CH-146 Griffon helicopters and air personnel on 17 November 2013 to support the DART as part of Op RENAISSANCE, the Government of Canada’s humanitarian assistance and relief effort in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.
The Government of Canada announced earlier this week that the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has completed its humanitarian assistance mission in the Philippines and is currently planning for redeployment to Canada.
Quick Facts
* Canada’s Aviation Detachment for the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) in the Philippines consisted of three CH-146 Griffon helicopters which chalked up some impressive statistics in just under 30 days. As of December 16:
· It flew a total of 358 flying hours – a flying rate normally achieved with 12 aircraft under normal circumstances back in Canada.
· It delivered a total of 318,585 lbs of cargo of which 298,400 lbs was food aid, and carried a total of 825 passengers.
