Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 4 seconds.
The Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA) presented a memento — in remembrance of last year’s urban search and rescue (SAR) mission in Kingston, Ont. — to 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron on April 1, 2014.
“It was a real honor for 424 Squadron to be recognized by an institution as respected as the Royal Canadian Air Force Association,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Bernier, commanding officer of 424 Squadron, located at 8 Wing Trenton, Ont.
“The crane rescue mission was by far the most publicized one in a long time, but is also just an example of the courage and readiness of all our Squadron members, to respond to any types of distress and do our very best to prevent suffering and loss of life.”
The memento presented to 424 Squadron is a painting by RCAFA member, Len Boyd, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“The painting captures the arrival of the 424 Squadron’s SAR Griffon, the moment it perches above the crane operator who so desperately needs a way off the crane,” said Major (Ret’d) Ronald Leslie Ball, RCAFA Ontario group president. “The background image of the tiger symbolizes the ever-present all-seeing vigilant tiger that is the symbol of 424 Squadron.”
Mr. Boyd’s painting of 424 Squadron’s urban search and rescue in Kingston is displayed for public viewing at the SAR section of the NAFMC. It was also recently featured on the front cover of Airforce Magazine, which is published by the RCAFA (volume 37, number 4).
“I watched with awe the extraction of the Kingston construction crane operator by the 424 Squadron’s SAR helicopter by a remarkable crew of RCAF pros!” said Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Bill Carr, the first commander of Air Command (Canada’s modern-day RCAF) and a long-serving RCAFA member. “I also watched with pride the news conference where the crew explained the operation for members of the media. Never in my long life have I felt prouder to have been privileged to have served with such cohesive, articulate, modest, and gifted airmen as are the RCAF. What a team!”
The painting was presented during the mess dinner at the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC) celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
“The painting is a true work of art and we are very pleased that the museum has agreed to display it for the benefit of all visitors to see,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Bernier.
