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Members of Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) rescued a seriously injured hiker near Cline River Heliport on Sept. 22, at approximately 3:45 p.m. MDT.
A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 408 THS was conducting a landing zone reconnaissance flight in support of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Basic Mountain Operations Course, when it received a radio request from the nearby Cline River Heliport to assist a seriously injured hiker.
Responding to a life-threatening situation, the Griffon landed in challenging terrain while the first officer and flight engineer assisted with carrying the hiker by stretcher over rugged ground to the waiting helicopter. The Griffon crew then conducted a medical evacuation flight to Rocky Mountain House Health Centre where they were met by staff who had been alerted to their arrival. The hiker was left conscious and under hospital care.
“The aircraft commander acted decisively and took the appropriate action to preserve life in this situation. We’re certainly glad we were able to assist, said LCol Rod MacDonnell, the commanding officer of 408 THS. “While we are not primarily a search and rescue squadron, this incident shows the flexibility of air power and that all RCAF aircraft can add to the search and rescue role to assist Canadians in need of our help.”
Quick Facts
- 408 THS Squadron is co-located with the Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton, Alta.
- Equipped with CH-146 Griffons, the squadron’s primary role is to provide support to the Canadian Army and other government departments.
- 408 THS members have been involved in numerous domestic and international operations such as Operation Lentus, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in flood-stricken parts of Western Canada; Operation Renaissance, delivering humanitarian relief to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan; and Operation Athena in Afghanistan.
- 408 THS is part of 1 Wing, the core of Canadian tactical aviation. Equipped with a mixed fleet of CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters, 1 Wing provides integrated tactical aviation airpower effects for the Canadian Army, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and the RCAF as part of the Canada First Defence Strategy’s national and international objectives. 1 Wing consists of a tactical headquarters based in Kingston, Ont., and seven RCAF squadrons distributed across Canada.
