Piloting a heavily-armed Griffon helicopter over Afghanistan By Gary Lewchuk “The ability to prevent troops from being fired upon just by our presence, not even having to fire a round, is something to take pride in,” said Aircraft Captain (AC) Jason Marchinko, who flew a heavily armed CH-146 Griffon helicopter for his second tour in Afghanistan during the summer. “With the armament we had on the Griffon, the Griffons became feared by the insurgents,” the former Canora resident said. “When our ground troops requested our support, the insurgents would…
Read MoreIn Remembrance of 408 Squadron Members
In Remembrance of 408 Squadron Members When the geese come back in the Spring And they learn that their friend has gone, I wonder will they take to wing And try to follow him on? When they look for their friend again As they’ve done in the years before, Will they stay with us who remain Or seek him the wide world o’er? They loved him, the young and the old, Wild geese and the whistling swan! What then, when the flocks are told The man who was kind…
Read More408’s Proud Banner
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 MoreThe 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…
Read MoreCanadian Forces, US Marines lift damaged Chinook to safety
5/18/2011 By Cpl. Rashaun X. James, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan — Canadian and U.S. forces safely recovered a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 17. Utilizing a trio CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, with assistance from 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s helicopter support team, the Canadian and American team was able to transport the damaged aircraft back to its home at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan……» Read More.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes- Canadian Combat Helicopters in Afghanistan
Friday, January 14, 2011 – Graham Lavery In a rare and exclusive opportunity, Vertical’s embedded team got a first-hand, as-it-happens look at the planning and performance of one of JTF-Afg Air Wing’s most comprehensive missions — one that embodied the Wing’s whole reason for being. On a clear, almost windless night over southern Afghanistan in early October 2010, the Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) Air Wing, based in Kandahar, conducted a full-scale operation that embodied the entire premise for the Wing’s creation in 2008…..» Read More
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