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Until now, the closest place to train Canadian CH-147F aircrew was a facility in the United States. Mike Reyno Photo
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron has 10 newly qualified airmen for its CH-147F Chinook medium- to heavy-lift helicopters.
On Feb. 8, 2016, six pilots, two flight engineers and two loadmasters officially graduated from a course conducted by operational training flight, known as “the Field Trial,” in anticipation of their posts with the squadron at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario.
The six pilots are Capt Jeffrey Labrash, Capt Ryan Malvern, Capt Dylan Martin, Capt Jason Peters, Capt Christopher Ware and Capt Matthew Welsh. The flight engineers are Cpl Tyler Barrett and Cpl Gary Glasius, and the loadmasters are Cpl Reese Patton and Sgt Ian Smith.
“I would like to congratulate the graduates before me, and recognize not only the effort you have put forward to reach this point, but the efforts made by every member of 450 Squadron that helped you get here,” said 450 Squadron commanding officer LCol Chris McKenna.
“Although your success is an individual achievement, it is the work of a team, from the instructors to the technicians, the civilian contractors to the clerks, and your own course mates. All of them played a part in getting you where you are today.”
The 24-week course, comprising computer-based classroom and academic work, flight simulator training, and flying, is the first course aimed at training aircrew for the new Chinooks to be conducted exclusively in Canada.
LCol Chris McKenna, commanding officer of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, takes command of the parade during the graduation ceremony of newly qualified pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters on Feb. 8, 2016, at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont. Sgt Jean-Francois Lauzé Photo
As such, it represents the next step in 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron’s move toward full operational capability—the squadron will now be providing operational training for all of its CH-147F Chinook aircrew.
“Your achievements have made this unit a stronger and more capable team,” LCol McKenna told the nine graduates attending the ceremony, “and I look forward to seeing you at work and in the field.”
The 10th graduate had already been sent on a Mountain Operations course at the time of the ceremony. The flight engineers graduating the course also received their wings during the ceremony.
Until now, the closest place to train Canadian CH-147F aircrew was a facility in the United States, but crews have said the technology there is slightly different. And the course is a boon not only for Chinook aircrew but also for the base itself, which received the new training facility and its four simulators courtesy of Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE).
In spring 2016, 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron crews will travel to Alberta to work with the Canadian Army.
Candidates on operational training flight 1 are now going through the ground school portion of the course and are ready to fly, having completed about 60 per cent of the simulator training. They will graduate in late spring 2016.
450 Squadron history
450 Heavy Transport Helicopter Squadron was formed at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Que., on March 29, 1968. The squadron moved to Canadian Forces Base Ottawa (Uplands) in May, 1970, and the squadron received Royal Assent for the designation 450 Transport Helicopter Squadron on May 20, 1970.
A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-147F Chinook medium- to heavy-lift helicopter overflies the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ont., en route to its new home with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont., on June 27, 2013. Cpl Darcy Lefebvre Photo
On Aug. 1, 1991, the squadron became 450 Composite Helicopter Squadron and then 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron on April 1, 1993. The squadron moved back to RCAF Station St. Hubert in August, 1994.
The CH-147 Chinook helicopter was withdrawn from service in the autumn of 1991. 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron continued to operate CH-135 Twin Huey helicopters in support of the RCMP and Joint Task Force 2 after the Chinook’s retirement.
In 1996, 450 Squadron was deactivated after almost three decades of uniquely tactical aviation (helicopter) service to the Canadian Armed Forces and was formally disbanded on Jan. 1, 1998.
On May 2, 2012, the squadron was re-established as 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron to fly the RCAF’s new CH-147F Chinook helicopters. The F-model Chinook was officially welcomed to Canada in a ceremony in Ottawa on June 27, 2013. It is much more advanced than its C-model predecessor, and includes systems such as extended-range fuel tanks, and state-of-the-art electro-optical/infra-red sensor systems that allow crews to operate effectively in very low light or reduced visibility conditions.
The squadron is based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, and reports to 1 Wing Headquarters in Kingston, Ont. The squadron’s motto is “By air to battle.”
