No. 419 Squadron RCAF

419 City of Kamloops Squadron is an air force unit with the Canadian Forces. The squadron was originally formed within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Based at CFB Cold Lake, it is responsible for advanced tactical fighter training for pilots as part of the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program.

History

No. 419 Bomber Squadron formed at RAF Mildenhall, England in 1941. The squadron moved to RAF Middleton St. George when it became a constituent of 6 Group, Bomber Command, and remained in England until it was disbanded on 5 September 1945. The squadron operated Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster bombers during this period. While assigned to bombing missions over Europe, Andrew Charles Mynarski a member of 419 Squadron was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 12/13 June 1944.

A restored Lancaster operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario is painted in the markings of aircraft VR-A of 419 Squadron in honour of the actions of Pilot Officer Mynarski. This is one of two Lancasters still in flying condition; the other is operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Reformed on 15 March 1955 as 419 All-Weather Fighter Squadron, 419 moved to the NATO Air Division base at Baden-Soellingen,Germany shortly thereafter. The squadron was equipped with the Avro CF-100 Canuck. 419 was disbanded 31 December 1962.

The unit was reformed at CFB Cold Lake on 2 May 1975 as 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. It was disbanded in 1995 when the CF-5 aircraft were retired.

The squadron was reformed again at 4 Wing Cold Lake on 23 July 2000 to conduct advanced "lead in" fighter training for Canadian and NATO pilots.

The name "Moose", which is used in the squadron's emblem and motto, is derived from the nickname of the first commanding officer of the squadron, Wing Commander "Moose" Fulton. The tradition of squadron commanders bearing the nickname "Moose" was instituted after Fulton's death on ops. That tradition continues to this day.

External links

* [http://www.airforce.forces.ca/4wing/squadron/419_e.asp History of 419 Squadron]
* [http://www.warplane.com/pages/aircraft_lancaster.html Canadian Warplane Heritage - Mynarski Lancaster]