A heart for giving – 408 Squadron member recognized

A heart for giving – 408 Squadron member recognized Nov. 28, 2011 WO Particia MacWilliams (right) assists veteran John Eloch with a wreath at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans’ Remembrance Day ceremony. Credit: Capital Care Kipnes Centre for Veterans. By Capt Rod Dietzmann As someone who has faithfully served in the Canadian Forces Reserves since 1980, and has dedicated herself to duty and in volunteer service, it only seemed fitting that Warrant Officer Patricia MacWilliams be recognized for her efforts. WO MacWilliams attended the Veterans’ Week Opening Ceremony in Ottawa…

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Jumping into retirement

Jumping into retirement Feb. 1, 2012 MWO Ray Tanguay prepares to jump from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter near Josephburg, Alta., on Jan. 11, 2011. Photo courtesy of MWO Ray Tanguay. By Capt Geoff Dear The CH-146 Griffon isn’t normally thought of as a time machine, but on Jan. 11, in Josephburg, Alta., a Griffon took Master Warrant Officer Ray Tanguay back 29 years. A young Ray Tanguay made his first parachute drop in 1983 while he was part of the Canadian Airborne Regiment armoured defence platoon. In January 2012, while…

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Canadian Forces, US Marines lift damaged Chinook to safety

5/18/2011  By Cpl. Rashaun X. James, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd)     CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan — Canadian and U.S. forces safely recovered a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 17. Utilizing a trio CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, with assistance from 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s helicopter support team, the Canadian and American team was able to transport the damaged aircraft back to its home at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan……» Read More. 

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Behind the Scenes- Canadian Combat Helicopters in Afghanistan

Friday, January 14, 2011 – Graham Lavery In a rare and exclusive opportunity, Vertical’s embedded team got a first-hand, as-it-happens look at the planning and performance of one of JTF-Afg Air Wing’s most comprehensive missions — one that embodied the Wing’s whole reason for being. On a clear, almost windless night over southern Afghanistan in early October 2010, the Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) Air Wing, based in Kandahar, conducted a full-scale operation that embodied the entire premise for the Wing’s creation in 2008…..» Read More

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408 THS honoured by Alberta artist

From  1 wing Newsroom 408 THS honoured by Alberta artist Dec. 9, 2010 LCol Jeff Smyth receives the original sketch of “Right Gun, Ready” from artist Robert Bailey during a medals and awards parade held at the Edmonton-based Squadron’s hangar on October 28. Credit: MCpl Pat Wilkins. By A/SLt Noelani Shore It doesn’t take deploying overseas to do your part in honouring Canada and the Canadian Forces, as one Alberta artist has spent a lifetime proving through his work. “I have great admiration for all Canadian Forces, especially those who…

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