Comox air force base’s 19 Wing 442 and 435 Transport and Rescue Squadrons will conduct training, November 25, between sunset and midnight in the Texada range, along the entire eastern shore of Texada Island, to maintain their night operations capabilities.
According to a media release from 19 Wing, during this period, members of the public may hear or see one of the squadron’s CC-130H Hercules airplanes, or bright yellow CH-149 Cormorant helicopters, in the area dropping illumination flares. The release stated that these bright-white flares can be seen from a great distance as they slowly descend from the sky to the water and burn for four to five minutes each.
This training is essential to ensure the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) search and rescue (SAR) crews are able to safely conduct night rescues, which the squadron is called upon to conduct, according to the release.
“RCAF SAR techs are known for their distinctive bright orange jumpsuits and commitment to helping Canadians in peril,” stated captain Brad Little, 19 Wing Comox public affairs officer," the release stated. "Regular training under a variety of conditions ensures that the SAR techs are always ready to meet whatever challenges, day or night, that a mission may present.”
