408 (Goose) Squadron was the second Canadian bomber unit to form in RAF Bomber Command and began its illustrious career in 5 Group in June 1941 operating the twin-engine Handley Page Hampden medium bomber. The squadron remained on the front line, flirting very briefly with the ill-fated Avro Manchester, before concluding its time with 5 Group in September 1942 as the last unit to operate the Hampden. A transfer to 4 Group required conversion to the unpopular Halifax, and this process saw the squadron remain non-operational until the end of…
Read MoreMonth: April 2026
Golden Hawks Trophy
On March 13, 2026, 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Tac Hel Sqn) received the Golden Hawks Trophy from the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, 700 Wing. The award recognizes the squadron’s rapid deployment of a six CH-146 Griffon helicopter detachment to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation GLOBE 24 (April 5–May 25, 2024), where 408 Tac Hel Sqn led the Air Task Force of a 300-personnel Joint Task Force. The Golden Hawks Trophy is awarded annually for outstanding contributions and highly commendable achievements in military aviation. During the operation, the…
Read More