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8 Wing Trenton welcomed the return of a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-150 Polaris aircraft, crew, and support personnel from 437 Transport Squadron–who had been deployed on Operation Impact (Op Impact)–during a ceremony at the base’s Passenger Terminal on Jan. 28, 2019.
Operation Impact began as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support to the Global Coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The coalition has been effective. The CAF is continuing to work with partners in the region to set the conditions for stability and security.
This marks the official end of 437 Transport Squadron’s air-to-air refuelling contribution to Op Impact in Iraq and Syria. The CC-150 Polaris aircraft has supported Op Impact by continuously providing air-to-air refuelling for the Global Coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria since October 2014.
The aircraft flew a total of 1,166 sorties, logged more than 7,050 hours, and delivered over 65 million pounds of fuel in support of Operation Impact.
“We are extremely proud of the women and men of 437 Transport Squadron, L3 MAS, and all of the personnel at 8 Wing who supported Operation Impact in the Middle East over the last four years. Their dedication and commitment enabled the Coalition Forces by providing an important air-to-air refuelling capability, which contributed to support of the security forces on the ground,” said Col Mark Goulden, commander of 8 Wing Trenton.
The ceremony also included the presentation of General Campaign Stars-Expedition and General Service Medals-Expeditionary to the members of 437 Transport Squadron and the civilian employees of L3 MAS, in recognition of their work supporting the CC-150 Polaris while it was deployed.
“I am incredibly proud of the efforts the 437 Transport Squadron members and their families positively contributed to Op Impact. Our squadron motto is “Omnia Passim” (Anything, Anywhere) and for the nearly five years that we served in this mission, we certainly lived up to those words,” said LCol Diane Baldasaro, commanding officer, 437 Transport Squadron.
