427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron

427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) (French: 427e Escadron d'opérations spéciales d'aviation, 427 EOSA) is a tactical helicopter unit that provides aviation support to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. The squadron is based at CFB Petawawa, Ontario with a fleet of Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters.[1] It was founded during the Second World War as No. 427 Squadron RCAF.

427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron
427e Escadron d'opérations spéciales d'aviation (French)
Active
  • 1944–1946
  • 1952–1970
  • 1971–present
CountryCanada
BranchCanadian Special Operations Forces Command
TypeSpecial operations helicopter squadron
Part ofCanadian Special Operations Forces Command
Garrison/HQCFB Petawawa
Nickname(s)Lion Squadron
Motto(s)Latin: Ferte manus certas, lit. 'Strike with a sure hand'
Engagements
Decorations
Battle honoursSee § Battle honours
Websitewww.canada.ca/en/special-operations-forces-command/corporate/organizational-structure/427-so-aviation-squadron.html

History

427 Squadron started as a bomber squadron formed at Croft, England on 7 November 1942 and spent its wartime entirely in England as a part of No. 6 Group RCAF, RAF Bomber Command. 427 flew Vickers Wellington Mk IIIs and Mk Xs from its first operational mission on 14 December 1942, a minelaying sortie to the Frisian Islands, until May 1943 when it was relocated to Leeming, North Yorkshire. Re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax Mk V aircraft, the squadron flew intensely until early 1944 when it replaced its inventory with Halifax Mk III aircraft. This fleet saw the greatest number of missions and in slightly more than a year's time they were then replaced by Avro Lancaster bombers prior to the end of World War II. The Lancasters were used for prisoner of war repatriation until the end of May 1946. 427 was stood down on 1 June 1946.[2]

The squadron was reformed on 1 August 1952 at RCAF Station St. Hubert (a suburb of modern-day Montreal, Quebec, Canada) as 427 Fighter Squadron, flying Canadair Sabres, and was transferred to No. 3 (Fighter) Wing at Zweibrücken in March 1953. Selected as the first European RCAF squadron to receive the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter for the nuclear strike role, the squadron was stood down from its day-fighter role on 15 December 1962 and reformed as 427 (Strike-Attack) Squadron two days later.[3]

On 1 February 1968, unification integrated 427 into the new Canadian Forces. The squadron was again disbanded on 1 July 1970.[3]

427 came back into existence as 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Petawawa, where it remains today.[4]

The squadron has also taken an active role in humanitarian efforts such as the January 1998 ice storm in eastern Canada, where the squadron deployed eight aircraft to Ottawa and Kingston, and the November 1998 mission to help the victims of Hurricane Mitch. With only 24 hours' notice, four 427 Squadron Bell CH-146 Griffons deployed to La Ceiba, Honduras. Once in the country, Griffon crews airlifted medical teams into communities cut off by the hurricane.[5] For the next six weeks, the squadron ferried supplies and aid workers to many isolated towns and villages.

On 1 February 2006, command of 427 was transferred to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, as it took on a full-time role of special operations aviation support. Shortly thereafter, it was renamed 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS).[1] Qualified tactical aviators selected by 427 SOAS must complete SOTAC (Special Operation Tactical Aviation Course), which runs for approximately four months.[6]

The squadron has a dedicated concrete helipad, measuring 150 ft × 150 ft (46 m × 46 m), at Petawawa Heliport.[7]

Aircraft flown by 427 Squadron

Historic aircraft

Current aircraft

Battle honours

Battle honours in small capitals are for large operations and campaigns and those in lowercase are for more specific battles. 427 Squadron was awarded the following battle honours, which are carried on their standard:[4]

  • English Channel and North Sea, 1943–1945
  • Baltic, 1944–1945
  • Fortress Europe, 1943–1944
  • France and Germany, 1944–1945
  • Biscay Ports, 1943–1944
  • Ruhr, 1943–1945
  • Berlin, 1943–1944
  • German Ports, 1943–1945
  • Normandy, 1944
  • Rhine
  • Biscay, 1944
  • Afghanistan[10]

See also
Similar units in other armed forces

References

Notes
  1. Mi-17V-5s leased from Russia for use in Afghanistan.

Citations
  1. Canadian Forces (December 2008). "427 Squadron". Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  2. Canadian Forces (December 2008). "427 Squadron History World War II". Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  3. Canadian Forces (December 2008). "427 Squadron History Re-Activated as Fighter Squadron". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  4. Canadian Forces (December 2008). "427 Squadron History Tactical Helicopter Squadron". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  5. Royal Canadian Air Force. "427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron". Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  6. Megna, Dan (28 April 2022). "Canada's 427 SOAS: You have to want to be here!". Vertical Magazine. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  7. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
  8. Kostenuk, 1977, p.124
  9. Kostenuk, 1977, p.186
  10. "South-West Asia Theatre Honours". Prime Minister of Canada. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.

Bibliography
  • Kostenuk, S.; Griffin, J. (1977). RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft: 1924–1968. Toronto, ON: Samuel Stevens, Hakkert & Co. ISBN 978-0888665775.
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