407 Sqn Traditional Cache
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The role of 3 CFFTS in Southport MB, is to conduct military pilot training. On average 75% of new RCAF winged pilots graduate from 3CFFTS, of which approximately 65% become helicopter pilots and 35% carry on to fly various multi-engine fixed winged aircrafts. After receiving their wings, each graduate is awarded a posting to an RCAF unit at a Canadian Forces base where they will continue to learn. This cache series was hidden for course RW1301 and ME1302 which graduated on May 24, 2013.
407 Long Range Patrol Squadron (LRPS)
407 Long Range Patrol Squadron is responsible for the surveillance of Canadian coastal waters. Traditionally, this has meant watching for foreign submarines off our coasts.
Today, this is only one part of their surveillance role, as the Squadron continues to protect the safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad.
Flying CP-140 Auroras, the crews spend long hours over the ocean looking for illegal fishing, migrant and drug smuggling and polluters. They can also
perform search and rescue missions using air-droppable survival pods.
407 crews frequently support other governmental agencies such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
In recent years, they have detected and gathered evidence against over a dozen suspected driftnet vessels in support of Canada's commitment to enforcing the United Nations moratorium on high-seas driftnet fishing.
The advanced sensors and cameras on board the Aurora were also used to protect Canadians to monitor flooding and dike stability during the Manitoba floods of 2010.
407 Squadron has been active in Afghanistan, supporting Operation APOLLO from 2001-2003 as well as in 2009 during Operation ATHENA. 407 Squadron served in an Intelligence, Reconnassaince and Surveillance role during Operation MOBILE in the skies over Libya from 2010 to 2011.
Squadron Badge
The 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron Badge depicts a gold winged red trident or "demon stick." The winged trident is symbolic of air power striking at sea. The anchor in a symbolic "V" by the trident indicates the crushing losses inflicted by Demon crews on axis shipping.
Aircraft
CP-140 Long Range Patrol Aircraft
History
The men and women who have had the opportunity to serve with 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron can be justifiably proud of its acheivements in war and in peace. Its prestigious history is a testimony to the dedication of all those who have held the torch on high, and may they continue "To Hold On high" for many years to come.
First Flight: The Formation of 407 Squadron
During World War II, on May 8, 1941, 407 squadron was formed at Thorney Island, Hampshire, England. Originally a strike squadron under Coastal Command, its pilots trained to seek out and bomb enemy shipping, which they did with remarkable skill. The squadron was first equipped with the Blenheim MK IV light bomber, which was used for a short period of six to seven weeks, and later took on the Lockheed Hudson. During a period of 19 months the squadron destroyed an estimated 500,000 tonnes of enemy shipping. It was during this period of history that 407 Squadron earned its nickname, "the Demons," due to its tenacity to carry out attacks.
The War Years
407 Squadron arrived at North Coates, Lincolnshire on 9 July 1941 with Lockheed Hudsons; from here they worked their way into the history books. The Squadron had some of its best success at this base, sinking 150,000 tons of Axis shipping. They struck the shipping at minimum altitude, making for highly dangerous operations. The Squadron quickly became experts at their jobs under the guidance of the unit's Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Styles. In February 1942, 407 Squadron left North Coates.
In a decisive and strategic role change, 407 Squadron was converted from a strike unit to an anti-submarine unit, flying Wellington bombers out of RAF Station Bircham Newton. On 6/7 September 1943 the Squadron sank its first German U-boat, U-669. From 1943 until the close of the war in 1945, 407 Squadron destroyed four German U-boats, and damaged seven others, making it one of the most successful coastal units of the War. During its tenure at Bircham Newton, 407 Squadron participated in the famous "1000 Bomber " raid on Bremen. The squadron departed Bircham Newton on 29 January 1943, moving to Limavady, Northern Ireland. While on detached duty to Chivenor between 14 April and 9 May 1945, 407 Squadron conducted day and night meteorological reconnaissance flights.
Stand-Down
With the end of the war in 1945, the Canadian government stood down 407 Squadron on 4 June 1945. The first, but not last, chapter of 407 squadron had come to a close.
Reactivation
407 Squadron was re-established on Dominion Day in 1952. Once again the Demons flew anti-submarine warfare operations, this time over the Pacific. The Squadron took up residence at RCAF Station Comox; 45 years have passed and the Squadron is still here at CFB Comox. Each passing era has been marked by changing roles for the squadron and changing technology. In 1952, the squadron reformed with 12 reconfigured Lancaster bombers. These machines served the squadron faithfully until 1958. Between 1958 and 1959 the squadron took delivery of 12 P-2V7 Neptunes. These planes stayed in service with the Squadron until 1968, when the CP-107 Argus arrived. The venerable Argus faithfully flew all taskings and remained with the unit until 1981 when the CP-140 Aurora, our present aircraft, was taken on strength.
Cold War
Throughout the Cold War, 407 Squadron patrolled Canada's coastal waters, ever vigilant for Russian submarines. The crews could launch on a moment's notice to hunt down Soviet subs. 407 Squadron often found itself hunting down submarines and surface ships in transit through the Bearing Straight, oftentimes deploying to Adak and Inuvik tomonitor activity in the Arctic. The work that the Squadron performed provided important acoustic signatures of Soviet vessels.
407 Long Range Patrol Squadron Today
Operationally, 407 Squadron flies sovereignty and surveillance patrols, coastal patrols, fisheries patrols, northern patrols, search and rescue missions, drug interdiction patrols and UN-sponsored maritime interdiction. The Squadron still maintains its anit-submarine warfare readiness.
In 2002-03, 407 Squadron took part in Operation APOLLO in support of anti-terrorist surveillance operations over the Persian and Arabian Gulfs. From 2003-2011, 407 personnel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ATHENA. They also deployed on numerous other operations around the world, like Operation MOBILE in 2010-11 above the skies of Libya. These deployments demonstrated a new role for 407 Squadron, that of over-land intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Squadron's newest aircraft is the Block III CP-140 Aurora. It is a state-of-the-art surveillance and weapons platform. The US Navy flies its version, the P-3C Orion, and both services often share in joint exercises. The Aurora will be with the squadron for years to come, and will remain a familiar sight in the skies high above the Comox Valley.
As new Pacific Rim networks and emerging nations come into reality, 407 Squadron's role will become ever more important. Trade with the Pacific Rim nations opens exciting new opportunities for Canada, but new threats can also appear. 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron will continue to monitor fishing fleets for high seas drift netting, search shipping lanes for polluting vessels and hunt down drug traffickers; and of course keep ever vigilant against surface and sub-surface threats.
Our Battle Honours
- English Channel and North Sea 1941 - 1945
- Biscay 1942 - 1945
- Fortress Europe 1942
- German Ports 1942
- Atlantic 1943 - 1945
- Normandy 1944
Original cache content : Log book, pencil, Sqn crest.
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