The CC-130H Hercules is primarily used for search and rescue operations. While it also carries out transport missions, its main focus is saving lives through the Canadian Armed Forces’ search and rescue mandate.
It has a range of more than 7,200 kilometres and can transport approximately 80 passengers, operate on short unpaved runways and fly in severe weather conditions. These capabilities make the CC-130H an excellent aircraft for search and rescue operations over the vast span of Canada’s central and northern regions.
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435 Transport and Rescue Squadron
The mission of 435 "Chinthe" Transport and Rescue Squadron is to conduct air mobility and search and rescue operations.
435 Squadron tasks include airlift of freight and passengers, air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft in Canada and around the world and search and rescue operations.
435 Squadron was formed at Gujrat, India in November 1944, and conducted airlift missions using the famous Douglas Dakota aircraft in the China-Burma-India theatre of operations.
435 Squadron is the only Air Force squadron equipped and trained to conduct air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft in support of operational and training activities at home and abroad. The CC-130 Hercules tanker is a key asset for the Canadian NORAD Region in its mission to defend Canada and the United States against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace. The Squadron has been operating the tankers in support of fighter operations since 1992.
In addition to NORAD deployments within Canada 435 Squadron has conducted many air-to-air refueling operations overseas. 435 Squadron deployed a CC-130H Hercules tanker detachment to Kuwait as part of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH in 1998. During OPERATION ALLIED FORCE, the 79-day NATO air campaign in 1999 in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, 435 Squadron conducted deployments of CF-18 Hornet fighter-bombers from Canada to Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on North America, 435 Squadron has continued it's air-to-air refueling mission s in support of OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE, NORAD's on-going internal air defense operation.
Search and rescue at 435 Squadron is a 24 hour-a-day, seven day-a-week responsibility. One CC-130 Hercules aircraft is permanently equipped and dedicated for search and rescue missions. During working hours on weekdays, the search and rescue standby aircraft and crew are ready to respond within 30 minutes of being notified. At all other times, the response time is extended to two hours. 435 Transport and Rescue (T&S) Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg; and 424 T&R Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, provide primary search and rescue response for the Trenton Search and Rescue Region, the largest in Canada, which extends from Quebec City to the British Columbia/Alberta border, and from the Canada/United States border to the North Pole.
Every year, 435 Squadron crews fly thousands of hours. 435 Squadron airlift missions include re-supply of Canadian Forces Station Alert on Ellesmere Island in the high Arctic, the Northern-most human habitation in the world, and missions across the country and around the world. 435 Squadron has been a major contributor to the Campaign Against Terrorism, with many Squadron personnel deploying overseas to conduct airlift activities in support of deployed Canadian and Allied forces.
Whether searching for Canadians in distress, refueling CF-18 Hornet fighter-bombers on a NORAD mission or flying into a gravel airstrip at the top of the world, 435 "Chinthe" Transport and Rescue Squadron strives to live up to its motto: Certi Provehendi - Determined to Deliver.