- 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron
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442 Transport and Rescue Squadron 
Squadron badgeInformation Role Transport and Rescue Aircraft flown CH-149 Cormorant Wing 19 Wing Base CFB Comox Motto Un Dieu, une Reine, un Coeur (One God, One Queen, One Heart) Call Sign Snake History Date founded January, 1944 Badge A representation on Haietlik or Lightning Snake Notable Battle Honours Fortress Europe 1944, France and Germany 1944-1945, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine, Aleutians 1943 Previous Designation No.14 Fighter Squadron and 121 Composite Unit 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron is a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force of the Canadian Forces. Based at CFB Comox on Vancouver Island it provides Search and Rescue coverage for the West Coast of Canada. The squadron is currently equipped with the CH-149 Cormorant and CC-115 Buffalo
Contents
Squadron history
Beginning as No 14 Squadron RCAF, it transferred to England in January 1944 and became 442 Squadron in keeping with overseas numbering of Commonwealth Air Force Units. During the war it was known as the "City of Vancouver" squadron.
During Operation Bodenplatte, 442 Squadron were operating under No. 126 Wing RCAF and were based at Heesch air strip. The Hessch strip had been built in October 1944, was likely unknown to the Luftwaffe. It is believed Luftwaffe JG 6 [1] had been launched to target Volkel airfield but, as they approached the airfield of Heesch and some pilots assumed it to be Volkel. Fortunately command had dispatched its No. 411 and No. 442 Squadrons on recce missions early that morning so the majority of its units were airborne. Very little damage was done at Heesch.[2]
442 disbanded in England in 1945 following the end of hostilities.
The squadron then reformed at Vancouver as an Auxiliary (Reserve) Fighter squadron. The Name City of Vancouver was added while stationed at RCAF Station Sea Island (Vancouver International Airport). It was disbanded in 1964 and reformed at Comox as a Search and Rescue squadron. The 442 squadron has served in the Canadian Forces since then.
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CC-115 Buffalo of 442 Squadron
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442 Squadron Buffalo 462 in 2004
See also
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria
References
External links
- 442 Squadron's Page on the Canadian Forces Website
- The History of 442 Squadron (Canadian Forces Website)
- JRCC Victoria - West Coast Search and Rescue Region
Canadian Forces Commander-in-Chief • Chief of the Defence Staff • Armed Forces Council • Chief of the Maritime Staff • Chief of the Land Staff • Chief of the Air Staff
Canada Command • Canadian Expeditionary Force Command • Canadian Operational Support Command • Canadian Special Operations Forces Command • Reserve Force
Royal Canadian Navy • 
Canadian Army • 
Royal Canadian Air ForceCategories:- Military history of Canada
- Canadian Forces aircraft squadrons
- Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons
- Article XV squadrons of World War II
- Canadian military history stubs
- Military aviation stubs
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