Air Force Articles [responsive_vid] St. Clement Danes: A tribute to Commonwealth air forces Nov. 10, 2010 By Dave O’Malley “Re-consecrated in 1958 as a perpetual shrine of remembrance to those killed on active service and those of the Allied Air Forces who gave their lives during the Second World War, it is a living church prayed in daily and visited throughout the year by thousands seeking solace and reflection,” St. Clement Danes on the Strand Buried deep in Westminster, one of the most historic sectors of London, England, stands…
Read MoreMarcus R. Humphrey
Marcus R. Humphrey, 89-1/2, of Gettysburg, passed away at Gettysburg Hospital on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. Mr. Humphrey was born in 1923 in Omaha, Neb., son of the late Marcus R. Humphrey Sr. and Mabel Frappia Humphrey. He graduated from Pawnee City High School in Pawnee City, Neb., in 1941. In the summer of 1941, he hitch-hiked to Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was sent to England and served in the Royal Air Force 408 Squadron as a pilot of a Lancaster bomber. He flew 30…
Read More408 Squadron: looking back and getting ready
Air Force Articles 408 Squadron: looking back and getting ready Dec. 7, 2012 by Capt Rodney Dietzmann It’s hard to believe that more than a year has passed since members of Edmonton, Alberta-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron redeployed from the final rotation of Canadian Forces aviation support in Afghanistan. It has been an incredibly busy year as 408 Squadron members have regrouped, refocused on endeavours such as northern operations and provided a high level of support to other operations and exercises. All of this was accomplished while everyone got back…
Read MoreA rookie’s perspective: Exercise Maple Resolve 2012
Air Force Articles A rookie’s perspective: Exercise Maple Resolve 2012 Nov. 15, 2012 by Second-Lieutenant Darren Kroeker Second-Lieutenant Kroeker, a former commercial pilot, is a new member of the Canadian Forces. He is currently assigned to 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, in Edmonton, Alta. He recently took part in Exercise Maple Resolve 2012, a month-long high-readiness training exercise that involving nearly 4 000 soldiers at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alta., and concluded November 2. 2Lt Kroeker describes what it’s like to be on a major exercise…
Read MoreAn historic move by 408 Tac Hel Squadron
An historic move by 408 Tac Hel Squadron July 31, 2012 By Capt Rodney Dietzmann On June 8, 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, located at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, but belonging to 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., played a unique part in seeing that a part of Royal Canadian Air Force history is preserved. Ten members of the squadron’s maintenance flight loaded most of the airframe and parts of an H-44a “Flying Banana” that was being stored at the Reynolds Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alta., for its long journey to the Greenwood…
Read MoreA comforting show of appreciation
A comforting show of appreciation July 20, 2012 By Capt Rodney Dietzmann Serving overseas is something most Canadian Forces members look forward to doing with pride. However, no one hopes to be wounded or sustain injuries. When that happens, it is comforting to know that people care. After Corporal Pres Lavier, a flight engineer with Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, sustained injuries in a CH-147 Chinook helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan, it was touching to be recognized by a Canadian organization called Quilts of Valour Canada. “Receiving the quilt…
Read MoreA comforting show of appreciation
A comforting show of appreciation July 20, 2012 By Capt Rodney Dietzmann Serving overseas is something most Canadian Forces members look forward to doing with pride. However, no one hopes to be wounded or sustain injuries. When that happens, it is comforting to know that people care. After Corporal Pres Lavier, a flight engineer with Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, sustained injuries in a CH-147 Chinook helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan, it was touching to be recognized by a Canadian organization called Quilts of Valour Canada. “Receiving the quilt…
Read MoreA rare milestone: more than 40 years of service
A rare milestone: more than 40 years of service June 7, 2012 By Captain Rodney Dietzmann Any way you look at it, a 40-year commitment to anything takes a lot of dedication. It’s certainly true when measured in terms of a military career. It was April 19, 1972 in Regina, Sask., when an 18-year-old Russ Morphy enrolled to the Regular Force of the Canadian Forces as a supply technician. This was after already serving three years (1969 – 1972) as a reservist with 105th Artillery Battery in Yorkton, Sask. Although…
Read MoreAbbotsford Special Adventurers and 408 Squadron tour West Edmonton Mall
Abbotsford Special Adventurers and 408 Squadron tour West Edmonton Mall June 28, 2012 By Captain Geoff Dear On Friday, June 1, 2012, the Abbotsford Special Adventurers (ASA) found themselves in front of West Edmonton Mall’s pirate ship, along with members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., but based at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, Alta.,) for the kick off to their much anticipated three-day Alberta excursion.The excursion included exploring Canada’s famous mall, before travelling by bus to Calgary to visit the equally popular zoo.…
Read More408 Tac Hel Squadron helps Air Cadets prepare for British competition
408 Tac Hel Squadron helps Air Cadets prepare for British competition May 28, 2012 By Terrence Bayrock Members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based in Edmonton, Alta., but under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., are helping a group of young Air Cadets from Edmonton prepare for a prestigious youth aerospace competition in England in July. Sergeant Mike Scott and Corporal Moe Woodworth are applying the expertise they gained in Afghanistan flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help the cadets compete in the Schools Aerospace Challenge at Cranfield University…
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