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The tremendous work that members of 408 (Tactical Helicopter) Squadron performed from August 2008 to June 2010 has earned the unit a commendation for going above and beyond just “doing their job.”
The Commander of Land Force Western Area and Joint Task Force West (LFWA/JTFW) made a special presentation to 1 Wing Kingston’s 408 Squadron during a recent visit by the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General André Deschamps.
408 Squadron received the recognition as it provided critical support to the LFWA/JTFW command team on a number of very important occasions, including transporting VVIPs, supporting the largest field training exercises in the Canadian Forces in 2009, helping with Op Connection with over-flights at the Calgary Stampede and ferrying command between repatriation ceremonies, memorial services and formation changes of command.
408 Squadron did all this despite the fact that the squadron was significantly short of flying crews and CH-146 Griffon helicopters as a result of the deployment of its main body to Afghanistan.
“Certainly, it's an honour to be recognized for all the hard work that the men and women of 408 Squadron have been doing, particularly in the last two years with the ongoing and back-to-back deployments to Afghanistan,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Smyth, 408 Squadron commanding officer who is currently deployed to Afghanistan. “We're glad to be the Air Force “guy” on the Army team. That's what we're here for - to provide aviation support to the soldiers of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, for whatever they're doing, wherever they are, from Afghanistan to the Olympics.”
Although 408 Squadron is part of 1 Wing Kingston, it is based in Edmonton, Alta.
“I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of 408 Squadron, and very pleased that the LFWA command team has chosen to recognize the squadron for its accomplishments,” said Brigadier-General Christopher Coates, commander of 1 Wing. “1 Wing is sharing risks and challenges with the Army on our current battlefields, and that has required that we work together very closely.”
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