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408 "Goose" Squadron Association

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  • September 17, 2025 association 0
    Memorial for WO George Hohl
    We bid farewell to George Joseph Hohl (Edmonton, Alberta), born in Creston,...
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories obituary 
  • September 9, 2025 Reunion 0
    FOR AGM 2025 – PLEASE REVIEW CONSTITUTION FOR UPDATES AND MODIFICATION
    READ MORE – CONSTITUTION
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories AGM Newsletter 
  • March 1, 2025 association 0
    Tribute to Bart West
    ’lyn Nye (From 700 Wing Newsletter January 2025) Heartbroken this week to...
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories 
  • April 6, 2021 Reunion 0
    Squadron Leader ‘Mac’ McIlroy, wireless operator who was shot down over France – obituary
    Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/03/18/squadron-leader-mac-mcilroy-wireless-operator-shot-france/ During the Cold War he specialized in signals and electronics,...
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories 
  • February 13, 2021 Reunion 0
    Kenneth Adams and W/C Eastern Crew
    Images Donated by: Mr. Alan Adams
    408 Squadron Memories 
Tribute to Bart West

Tribute to Bart West

March 1, 2025 0
408 Squadron History

408 Squadron History

March 28, 2015 0

Edmonton Journal

Edmonton's chopper squadron delivers Santa to Stollery Children's Hospital

Liam Newbigging

Mon, December 8, 2025 at 3:28 p.m. MST

4 min read

120825-Santa_0183_.EJ
Kyang Chen and his 16 month daughter pose for a picture with Santa and his helper at the Stollery Children's Hospital after Santa arrived in a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron to hand out presents to children in the hospital on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Edmonton. (Credit: Greg Southam)More

Their mission — safely deliver a VIP to the hospital’s rooftop helipad, with his cargo in tow.  

It was good flying in the chilly skies above Edmonton, as the Royal Canadian Airforce’s 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron raced toward the Stollery Children’s Hospital in a CH-146 Griffon helicopter Monday morning. 

A group of children watched a live broadcast of the squadron, and saw the operation unfold from inside a hospital playroom. 

The VIP, a jolly man in a red suit with a white beard, faced the camera and waved a white-gloved hand at his audience.  

Santa Claus was on his way to the Stollery. 

“He’s pretty used to flying operations,” said Lt.-Col. Taylor Hall, who is the commanding officer for the squad. 

Hall is also used to flying with Mr. Claus — having flown on similar missions — but he says this was his first time doing it in Edmonton. As someone who grew up in Alberta and as a former University of Alberta student, he knows the territory well.  

“I used to walk by the Stollery Hospital every day going to the U of A, watching the helicopters in and out,” Hall said.  

Jill Painter, with the Stollery’s Child Life team, was on the rooftop helipad when the squadron touched down. She’s been with the hospital for 17 years, and says her team works to help manage stress and bring some fun for the children at the hospital.  

Santa’s visit was part of that same work. For around eight years now, the holiday icon has been paying a visit to the Stollery, via helicopter, to spend time with some of the children and bring gifts. 

“The hospital can be a really hard place to be at Christmas,” Painter said. “As child life specialists, we try to make it as fun as it can possibly be.” 

Painter says it’s special when people from the community help. When she saw Santa Claus come out of the helicopter, she said she almost started tearing up.  

Back inside, the kids were still watching the broadcast.

Six-year-old Asr Khan was especially excited and sat eagerly watching the screen. When the group was asked where Santa was heading, he cheered, “the Stollery!” 

His mother, Margie Khan, said her son has been at the hospital for a few weeks now getting treatment related to his leukemia. The Stollery has been very helpful, she added. 

“Everything we need, we get it.” 

The room was filled with smiles and wide eyes when Santa and his escort walked in. Asr waved both hands at Mr. Kringle and smiled. He was the first to get a gift, a plushie toy shaped like a piece of toast.  

After gifts were doled out, Brendan Ritchie, another patient, said it was great to see Santa, and that spirits were lifted.  

Ritchie is hoping to get back to school soon and graduate this year. Right now, he’s waiting for a lung transplant for a rare condition he’s been battling now for 13 years.  

He says he enjoys seeing the kids get excited about Santa.  

“For someone who’s older, like me, it’s cool seeing them get excited. It makes me really, really happy.” 

Painter agrees. She says the event is one of her favorites, and she loves watching the children’s faces light up.

Santa’s yearly visit to the Stollery also comes as the hospital is set to get it’s biggest gift in years — a new standalone facility, albeit not in time for Christmas.

A site on the University of Alberta’s south campus was selected in November and the hospital has launched a campaign to help raise $1 billion for the new facility. 

Planning work for the new facility is expected to be completed by 2026, although it could be more than eight years until construction is finished.

The Stollery opened in 2001 and is currently the second-largest children’s hospital in the country. It has an annual patient volume of more than 300,000 children from across Western Canada, including 55,000 emergency visits and 12,000 surgeries.

lnewbigging@postmedia.ca

********************************

First flight of Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-146C MK II Griffon

Spread the Word!

The executive committee has worked hard over the past year reaching out to former 408 members, previous Association annual members as well as updating our current members’ list. If you are aware of someone who should be included in the distribution list and isn’t (i.e.: once paid for lifetime membership but are not receiving updates), please let me know. Also, please don’t hesitate to invite members to join in.

Joining is easy through www.canadahelps.org. Find the RCAF Association and once on that page, use the drop down menu to find 408 Goose Squadron Association. Through these means, a $100 donation get you both a lifetime membership AND a tax receipt!

Best regards to all,

Major Sylvain Lapierre, CD

Members,
where are you?

Not a member yet??
Consider joining the association!

To receive regular updates, send your updated contact info to association’s secretary

408 sqn news

  • September 17, 2025 association 0

    Memorial for WO George Hohl

    We bid farewell to George Joseph Hohl (Edmonton, Alberta), born in Creston, British Columbia, whose journey of life gracefully concluded on September 5, 2025 at the age of 40. George touched countless lives with warmth and kindness, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever echo in hearts. Family...
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories obituary 
  • September 9, 2025 Reunion 0

    FOR AGM 2025 – PLEASE REVIEW CONSTITUTION FOR UPDATES AND MODIFICATION

    READ MORE – CONSTITUTION
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories AGM Newsletter 
  • March 1, 2025 association 0

    Tribute to Bart West

    ’lyn Nye (From 700 Wing Newsletter January 2025) Heartbroken this week to learn of the passing...
    408 sqn news 408 Squadron Memories 

  • First flight of Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-146C MK II Griffon

    February 12, 2025 association 0

    First flight of Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-146C MK II Griffon

    First flight of Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-146C MK II Griffon
    408 sqn news 

Books

  • May 17, 2020 association 0

    Avro Lancaster, 1945–1965: In British, Canadian and French Military Service

    The Avro Lancaster, such a stalwart of the skies during the Second World War, also enjoyed an interesting and surprisingly colourful post-war career. It is this era that the authors have chosen to focus on by profiling the type across its many variants.Split into three primary sections, this...
    408 sqn news Books 
  • October 2, 2019 association 0

    LAST FLIGHT TO STUTTGART: SEARCHING FOR THE BOMBER BOYS OF LANCASTER EQ-P

    A woman’s journey to uncover the fate of...
    408 sqn news Books 
  • September 5, 2019 association 2

    408 Squadron RCAF: The Rockcliffe Years, 1949-1964

    The story of the 408 Squadron, RCAF during...
    Books 
  • December 17, 2018 association 0

    Station of Nations

    After 25 years of research and over a...
    Books 

Honker Happenings August 2023

August 1, 2023August 22, 2023 Reunion
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408 sqn news, NewsletterLeave a comment

Honker Happenings June 2023

June 25, 2023June 25, 2023 Reunion
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Honker Happenings May 2023

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Apr 2023

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Jan 2023

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023 Reunion
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408 Squadron “Family” Update 2022

December 20, 2022January 4, 2023 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Nov 2022

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Sept 2022

October 1, 2022October 6, 2022 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Aug 2022

September 1, 2022October 6, 2022 Reunion
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Honker Happenings Apr 2022

April 4, 2022October 6, 2022 Reunion
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408 sqn news, NewsletterLeave a comment

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