412 Transport Squadron

"412 Squadron" redirects here. For the USAF Flight Test Squadron, see 412th Flight Test Squadron.

412 Transport Squadron
Information
Role	VIP transport and general duties
Aircraft Operated	CC-144 Challenger
Home Station	CFB Trenton
Motto	Promptus Ad Vindictam ("Swift to avenge")
History
Date Founded	1941
Badge	A falcon volant
Notable Battle Honours	Defence of Britain 1941-44, English Channel and North Sea 1942-43, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine

The Challenger 601 is used to transport the Canadian Royal Family, Governor General, and Prime Minister using the designation CC-144 Challenger.

No. 412 Transport Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force is one of 3 transport squadrons attached to CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario. This squadron, however, is based out of Ottawa, Ontario. It had formerly been attached to CFB Ottawa, which closed in 1994. The squadron operates with a strength of about 29 out of the Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr. Annex. The Annex officially opened on January 11, 1995.

No. 412 Squadron began as a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the Second World War.

History

No. 412 (Transport) Squadron was formed in 1949, but traces its history back to two separate squadrons: Number 12 Communications Flight at RCAF Station Ottawa and 412 (Fighter) Squadron, which was formed at RAF Digby, England on June 30, 1941.

After the Second World War, Number 12 Communications Flight was re-assigned as 412 Squadron on April 1, 1947, and renamed 412 (Composite) Squadron based at Rockcliffe. In 1955, the 412 moved to Uplands. In the late 1970s a sub-unit was established at CFB Lahr in West Germany. This operation closed in 1993.

In 1994, CFB Ottawa (Uplands) closed and 412's fleet was moved to a civilian hangar at Ottawa International Airport. All aircraft are maintained by Transport Canada on behalf of the Canadian Forces.

Aircraft used by 412 include:

• Supermarine Spitfire
• North American Harvard
• Beechcraft Expeditor (C-45)
• Douglas Dakota (C-47)
• 1 CL-5 North Star 1949-1966
• 2 de Havilland Comet 1A 1953-1963
• 2 CL-44 Yukon 1961-1978 - VIP configuration
• 1 de Havilland Dash 7 - based at Lahr 1980-1987
• 2 de Havilland Dash 8 - based at Lahr 1987-93
• 1 CL-66 Cosmopolitan 1960-1980
• 7 Dassault Falcon 20 1968-1985

Current role

Today, 412 Squadron provides transport for high level government officials and foreign VIPs while they are in Canada. The squadron uses 6 CC-144 Challenger business jets.

See also

• CC-144 Challenger
• Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft
• Bombardier Challenger 600
• Air transports of heads of state and government - Canada

External links

• 412 Home Page