A Veterans Day Tribute to my Former Squadron RCAF 8 Wing 424 Sq.

424 (Search and Rescue / Transport) Squadron

8 Wing 424 (Tiger) Squadron is a Search and Rescue/Transport Squadron working out of #9 Hangar at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. To fulfil its roles, 424 Squadron flies the CH-146 Griffon helicopter and the Lockheed CC-130 Hercules.

424 Squadron is responsible for the 10,000,000 square kilometers of the Trenton Search and Rescue Region comprising most of the Province of Quebec, all of Ontario, the Prairie Provinces and the entire Arctic.

The Squadron crews one Aircraft of each type on a 30 minute standby response posture during normal working hours and on a two hour posture at all other times in order to respond to distress cases as tasked by the Rescue Coordination Centre.

The Hercules allows the Squadron to fulfill its other primary role of strategic transport anywhere in the world. To maintain this capability, the Squadron yearly conducts four Long Range Trainers to the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa. Airlift for humanitarian and aid agencies are carried on these flights, often bringing aid and supplies to hospitals and orphanages. As well, 424 Squadron crews participate in all major airlift operations

424 (T&R) Squadron provides an important and diverse capability to 8 Wing which in turn makes for an interesting and satisfying tour of duty for its members.

Squadron Badge

The 424 Squadron badge shows a heraldic tiger's head. The squadron was adopted by the City of Hamilton and adopted the tiger's head in reference to the Hamilton Football team.

Motto

"CASTINGANDOS CASTIGAMUS" - We chastise those who deserve to be chastised.

History

On 15 October 1942, 424 Bomber Squadron formed at Topcliffe, England. It flew from England and Tunisia during the war, disbanding on 15 October 1945.

Back in Canada, the squadron reformed at RCAF Station Hamilton on 15 April 1946 as 424 Light Bomber Squadron (Auxiliary).

On 19 September 1952, the title "City of Hamilton" was added to the official squadron designation. The squadron was disbanded on 31 March 1964.

On 8 July 1968, 424 Communications and Rescue Squadron stood up at RCAF Station (CFB) Trenton, where they remain today equipped with the CH-149 Cormorant and CC-130 Hercules.

Battle Honours

• English Channel and North Sea 1944-1945
• Baltic 1944-1945
• Fortress Europe 1943-1944
• France and Germany 1944-1945
• Biscay Ports 1943-1944
• Ruhr 1943-1945
• Berlin 1944
• German Ports 1943-1945
• Normandy 1944
• Rhine
• Biscay 1943-1944
• Sicily 1943
• Italy 1943
• Salerno

Aircraft Flown

• Vickers Wellington
• Handley Page Halifax
• Avro Lancaster
• North American Harvard
• North American P-51 Mustang
• Canadair (Lockheed) CT-33 Silver Star
• Beech CT-128 (C-45) Expeditor
• de Havilland CC-123 (DHC-3) Otter
• Vertol H-21
• Douglas CC-129 (DC-3) Dakota
• de Havilland CC-108 (DHC-4) Caribou
• de Havilland CC-138 (DHC-6) Twin Otter
• Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador
• de Havilland CC-115 (DHC-5) Buffalo
• Bell CH-135 Twin huey
• Lockeed CC-130 Hercules