407 Long Range Patrol Squadron

407 Long Range Patrol Squadron
407 Squadron Canadair Argus 2 patrol aircraft visiting RAAF Laverton, Victoria, in April 1971.
Active	1941–1945 1952–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Role	Long range patrol
Based at	CFB Comox
Nickname(s)	Demon Squadron
Motto	To Hold On High
Battle honours	Atlantic 1941–43 English Channel & North Sea 1941–45 Fortress Europe 1942 German Ports 1942 Normandy 1944 Biscay 1942–45
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Bristol Blenheim Lockheed Hudson Vickers Wellington Avro Lancaster
Patrol	Lockheed CP-122 Neptune Canadair CP-107 Argus Lockheed CP-140 Aurora

407 Long Range Patrol Squadron (abbreviated 407 LRP Sqn, formerly 407 Maritime Patrol Sqn) is a long range & maritime patrol squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is located at 19 Wing Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and operates the CP-140 Aurora.

History

No. 407 Coastal Strike Squadron was formed at RAF Thorney Island, England on the 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 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 as 407 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Avro Lancaster. On 17 July 1956 it was renamed as a Maritime Patrol Squadron.

The squadron has served continuously in Comox since 1952 flying the Lancaster, P2V-7 Neptune, and CP-107 Argus. On 28 June 1975, the squadron was presented its Standard by the Honourable Walter Owen, Q.C. L.L.D. Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Today, 407 Squadron flies the updated CP-140 Aurora on coastal patrol, anti-submarine and long range patrol duties.

Squadron commanding officers

• 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 -

References

Citations

Bibliography

• The Demon Squadron, 407 Squadron in War and Peace, published as at the presentation of the Squadron Standard

• 

  A 407 Squadron uniform shoulder patch. Based on the remnant of the Crest Craft label, it was probably in use in the 60's.

External links

• 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron website
• CAF – History of 407 Squadron
• CAF – World War II Coastal Command