No. 437 Squadron RCAF
Encyclopedia
| 437 Transport Squadron | ||
|---|---|---|
Squadron badge |
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| Information | ||
| Role | Transport | |
| Aircraft flown | Current: Airbus CC-150 Polaris Historic: Douglas Dakota and CC-106 Yukon |
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| Wing | 8 Wing | |
| Base | CFB Trenton CFB Trenton Canadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad... |
|
| Motto | "Omnia passim" ("Anything Anywhere") | |
| Call Sign | HUSKY | |
| History | ||
| Date founded | 1944 (RCAF) 1961 (CF) |
|
| Badge | Argent a husky's head affronté erased proper | |
| Notable Battle Honours | France and Germany 1944-1945, Arnhem, Rhine. | |
| Honourary Distinction | Gulf War Gulf War The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf... |
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| Previous Designation | 437 RCAF Transport Squadron | |
437 Transport Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
under the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
, based at CFB Trenton
CFB Trenton
Canadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The unit operates the CC-150 Polaris
CC-150 Polaris
-External links:* *...
, and is responsible for long range military and VIP transportation (especially for the Royal Family visiting Canada).
History
437 Squadron was formed at Blakehill Farm in Wiltshire, England in 1944 as a unit of the Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
, and provided general transport until it was disbanded in 1946. During this time the squadron flew Douglas Dakota (Mk.III and IV) aircraft.
The squadron was reformed at CFB Trenton
CFB Trenton
Canadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad...
in 1961 and equipped with CC-106 Yukon. It was re-equipped with the CC-137 Husky
CC-137 Husky
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.* Stachiw, Anthony L. Boeing CC137 . St. Catharine's, Ontario, Canada: Vanwell Publishing Ltd., 2004. ISBN 1-55125-079-9....
(Boeing 707) in 1972. While operating the Husky it provided Air to Air Refueling in addition to transport services.
Operations
437 Transport Squadron frequently supports government dignitaries while on official visits, including the Prime Minister of CanadaPrime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
and Queen Elizabeth II during Royal tours of Canada
Royal tours of Canada
Canadian royal tours have been taking place since 1786, and continue into the 21st century, either as an official tour, a working tour, a vacation, or a period of military service by a member of the Canadian Royal Family...
. In June and July 2011 the squadron provided transportation for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they toured Canada and the United States.
The squadron currently operates the CC-150 Polaris
CC-150 Polaris
-External links:* *...
, a modified version of the Airbus A310
Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
. Three are configured for personnel and materiel transport, while two were reconfigured into the aerial refuelling role.
Two CC-150 air-to-air refueling tankers were deployed to support Operation MOBILE
Operation Mobile
Operation Mobile was the name given to Canadian Forces activities in the 2011 military intervention in Libya. The United States' counterpart to this was Operation Odyssey Dawn, the French counterpart was Opération Harmattan and the British counterpart was Operation Ellamy...
during the 2011 military intervention in Libya
2011 military intervention in Libya
On 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
. Canadian CF-188 fighter jets that enforce the no-fly zone over Libya under Operation Odyssey Dawn
Operation Odyssey Dawn
Operation Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. code name for the US part of the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued afterwards under NATO command as Operation Unified Protector...
and Operation Unified Protector
Operation Unified Protector
Operation Unified Protector was an NATO operation enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973 concerning the 2011 Libyan civil war and adopted on 17 February and 17 March respectively...
were refulled by 437 Sqn.