442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, located at 19 Wing Comox, BC received an aviation award on Nov. 12 for "their outstanding service to the people of British Columbia."
The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) presented the Back and Bevington Safety Award for Aviation Safety to recognize excellent in the aviation industry.
The award was accepted on behalf of the squadron by Major Kevin Toone.
"It is a most welcome confirmation of our past efforts and of the professionalism of our men and women, both military and civilian," he said. "It is validation of our practices and procedures and most importantly....it is encouragement to maintain our operational tempo. That Others May Live."
Canada is divided in three search and rescue (SAR) regions under the responsibility of the Minister of National Defence. Resources from the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, the RCMP and a variety of volunteer organizations are employed to save the lives of people lost or injured, often in remote and dangerous locations.
"The diversity in which the squadron operates and their high level of skill and professionalism in order to save those in distress are the reasons for the award," said Mike Matthews, Chair of BCAC.
"Significant missions in the past year included a helicopter crash in the fast-flowing, icy Kitsault River, near Alice Arm in northern BC; the late-night rescue of two young brothers in the Port Renfrew area; and hoisting down to the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship to retrieve a 54-year-old female who required advanced medical care," he said.
442 Squadron is the main provider of air support to search and rescue on the west coast, ready to launch in as little as 30 minutes and travel anywhere over 920,000 square kilometres of British Columbia and the Yukon or across 560,000 square kilometres of the Pacific.
In all, 442 Squadron operates six CC-115 Buffalos and five CH-149 Cormorants. The unit is home to more than 200 men and women including pilots, navigators, flight engineers, search and rescue technicians, maintenance personnel and administration staff.
This is the second time that a 19 Wing unit has received the Back and Bevington Safety Award. In 2005, the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) received the award for their "outstanding contribution and leadership in developing safety and rescue techniques for all Canadian Forces search and rescue technicians thereby providing paramedics, divers, and land & sea survival specialists as an elite element of the Canadian Air Force".
