103 Search and Rescue Squadron
| 103 Search and Rescue Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Transport | CH-113 Labrador, AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant |
103 Search and Rescue Squadron of the
Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador, and parts of Eastern Quebec. The squadron operates three AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant
helicopters.
History
The unit was stood up on April 1, 1947, at
Torbay, Newfoundland (which was then RCAF Station Torbay re-opened in 1953 on the former RCAF Aerodrome – Torbay, Newfoundland) and Goose Bay, with the latter closed and becoming 107 Rescue Unit
in 1954. RCN provided high-speed launch vessels (ex-RCMP) support at select locations.
The unit was re-activated in 1977 at
Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador twin-rotor helicopter and was stationed in a permanent hangar constructed on the grounds of the airport in 1977. In 1997 the squadron was re-designated to its current name by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and presented with its standard.[1]
In 2009, the squadron, alongside its parent unit 9 Wing Gander, hosted SAREX 09, an annual search and rescue exercise involving SAR organizations across Canada, with units from the United States Air Force and international observers also attending.[3]
References
- ^ a b 103 Squadron - History, archived from the original on 18 April 2012, retrieved 7 October 2011
- ^ Mowbray, Clinton (22 June 2014). "Lessons Forgotten? A Historical Examination of the RCAF Search and Rescue Operation" (PDF). Canadian Forces College.
- ^ Capt Sheppard, Tony, A successful SAREX 2009 in Gander, SARSCENE, retrieved 7 October 2011
