407 Long Range Patrol Squadron (abbreviated 407 LRP Sqn, formerly 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron) is a long range and maritime patrol squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is located at

19 Wing Comox Canadian Forces Base Comox , commonly referred to as CFB Comox or 19 Wing, is a Canadian Forces Base located north northeast of Comox, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is primarily operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air F ...

, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and operates the CP-140 Aurora.

History

No. 407 Coastal Strike

Squadron Squadron may refer to: * Squadron (army), a military unit of cavalry, tanks, or equivalent subdivided into troops or tank companies * Squadron (aviation), a military unit that consists of three or four flights with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, de ...

was formed at RAF Thorney Island, England on 8 May 1941, first training on the Bristol Blenheim. It was one of seven Article XV RCAF units to serve with RAF Coastal Command. The squadron's wartime history can be divided into two periods. From September 1941 to January 1943, the squadron operated as a "strike" squadron attacking enemy shipping with the Lockheed Hudson. It was as a strike squadron that it won its reputation and its nickname "The Demon Squadron". On 29 January 1943 it was re-designated as 407 General Reconnaissance Squadron, and for the remainder of the war it protected friendly shipping from the U-boat threat operating the Vickers Wellington. The squadron was disbanded on 4 June 1945 following the end of the Second World War. On 1 July 1952 the squadron was reactivated at

RCAF Station Comox Canadian Forces Base Comox , commonly referred to as CFB Comox or 19 Wing, is a Canadian Forces Base located north northeast of Comox, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is primarily operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air F ...

as 407 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron flying the

Avro Lancaster The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirlin ...

. On 17 July 1956 it was redesignated as a Maritime Patrol Squadron. The squadron has served continuously in Comox since 1952 flying the Lancaster,

Lockheed Neptune The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and P ...

, and Canadair CP-107 Argus. On 28 June 1975, the squadron was presented its standard by

Walter Stewart Owen Walter Stewart Owen, (January 26, 1904 – January 13, 1981) was the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1973–1978. In his youth, Owen was the first premier of the British Columbia Older Boys' Parliament, which later be ...

, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Currently, 407 Squadron flies the Lockheed CP-140 Aurora on coastal patrol,

anti-submarine An anti-submarine weapon (ASW) is any one of a number of devices that are intended to act against a submarine and its crew, to destroy (sink) the vessel or reduce its capability as a weapon of war. In its simplest sense, an anti-submarine weapo ...

and long range patrol duties. It used these aircraft to conduct operations in the Arabian Sea after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Squadron commanding officers

*Lieutenant-Colonel Garry Rheaume: 1997-1999 *Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Szczerbaniwicz: 1999-2002 *Lieutenant-Colonel Fred Bigelow: 2002 – 2004 *Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Ormsby: 2004 – 2006 *Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Hogan: 2006 – 2008 *Lieutenant-Colonel Mario Leblanc: 2008 – 2010 *Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Robinson: 2010 – 2012 *Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Kenny: 2012 – 2014 *Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew McCorquodale: 2014 - 2016 *Major Kreager Graham: May 2016 - August 2016 *Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Philippe Gagnon: August 2016 - August 2018 *Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Castonguay: August 2018 – August 2020 *Lieutenant-Colonel Fil Bohac: August 2020 – August 2022 *Lieutenant-Colonel Don Jamont: August 2022 - Present

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * * Canadian Department of National Defence - Honours & Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Armed Forces 10th Edition - 2016. Accessed 14 March 2019

External links

407 Long Range Patrol Squadron website

CAF – History of 407 Squadron

CAF – World War II Coastal Command
{{RCAF Squadrons Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons Canadian Forces aircraft squadrons