- 417 Combat Support Squadron
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417 Combat Support Squadron 
Founded June 1941 Role Rescue Part of 4 Wing Garrison/HQ CFB Cold Lake Motto Supporting liberty and justice Battle honours Defence of Britain 1942, Egypt and Libya 1942-43, North Africa 1943, Sicily 1943, Italy 1943-45, Salerno, Ansio and Nettuno, Gustaff Line, Gothic Line Insignia Identification
symbolArgent in front of a palm tree Or eradicated a sword Argent and fasces Gules in saltire Aircraft flown Transport CH-146 Griffon 417 Combat Support Squadron is an Air Force unit with the Canadian Forces. Based at CFB Cold Lake it provides helicopter support to the base operations. Since 1994, it has also provided Search and Rescue.
Contents
History
417 Squadron was a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron formed in England on 27 November 1941 at RAF Charmy Down and was known as the "City of Windsor" squadron.[1] It was equipped with the Hurricane and later the Spitfire. It was initially deployed in Egypt and followed the allied advance through the western desert. With the defeat of axis forces in North Africa, the squadron followed the advance through Italy. It disbanded in Italy on July 1, 1945.
The squadron reactivated in Canada on June 1, 1947 at Rivers, Manitoba. It was equipped with the Mustang for army close support training until August 1, 1948.
Reformed as a part of the Canadian Forces in 1970 it operated as an operational training squadron on the CF-104 Starfighter at CFB Cold Lake. The squadron disbanded in 1983 with the retirement of the CF-104 fleet.
On April 1, 1993 417 Combat Support squadron was formed from CFB Cold Lake Base Flight plus aircraft servicing and maintenance elements of the Wing Maintenance organization. The squadron continued Base Flight's operations with ten CT-133 Silver Stars and three CH-118 Iroquois. When Base Rescue Moose Jaw was disbanded in 1993, 417 Squadron gained two of their CH-118s, to operate a total of five.
In July 1995 417 Squadron received three CH-146 Griffon helicopters and the five CH-118s were retired. The CT-133 was retired in 2001.[2]
Images
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417 Operational Training Squadron CF-104 Starfighter on deployment to CFB Moose Jaw in 1982
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CH 118 Huey from 417 (Combat Support) Squadron
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Canadair CT-133 Silver Stars from 417 (Combat Support) Squadron
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The first CH-146 Griffon arrives at 417 Sqn, on the flight line with the CH-118s it is to replace.
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417 Sqn's first CH-146 Griffon, serial number 146414, arrived on July 6, 1995.
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Base Flight Cold Lake CH-118 Iroquois helicopter 118103 at CFB Cold Lake, January 1992
Badges
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417 Combat Support Squadron official badge 1993
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417 Combat Support Squadron Rescue Flight badge 1993
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417 Combat Support Squadron T-33 Flight aircraft type badge 1993
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417 Combat Support Squadron unofficial crest worn by all members 1993
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Base Flight Cold Lake badge 1990
References
- ^ Berryman, David (2006). Somerset airfields in the Second World War. Newbury: Countryside Books. pp. 34–49. ISBN 1853068640.
- ^ Air Force Public Affairs/Department of National Defence (June 28, 2007). "CT-133 Silver Star". http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/equip/historical/silverstarlst_e.asp. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
External links
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 ForceWings Squadrons Categories:- Military history of Canada
- Canadian Forces aircraft squadrons
- Military units and formations established in 1941
- Article XV squadrons of World War II
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