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423 Squadron

423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron

Squadron Badge | Motto | History | Contact Details

423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron is the East coast operational Sea King squadron.

Air crews, maintainers and helicopters form up to eight helicopter air detachments (HELAIRDET) ready to deploy to sea in support of Maritime Operations Group One based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

423 Squadron is equipped with the CH-124 Sea King ship borne helicopter to support the Navy's Halifax-class patrol frigates and Trump-class destroyers. Domestically, 423 Squadron carries out maritime patrol in Atlantic and Arctic waters in support of other federal agencies such as law enforcement and Fisheries. Search and Rescue in the Maritime region has become increasingly important.

Internationally, the Squadron supports Navy operations in surface and subsurface surveillance, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.

Squadron Badge


The 423 "Eagle" Squadron badg

The 423 "Eagle" Squadron badge depicts a bald-headed eagle volant. The bald-headed eagle is a powerful bird of prey for the Canadian side of the Atlantic. The motto refers to the squadron's role as a coastal unit.A bald-headed eagle volant

Motto

QUAERIMUS ET PETIMUS (We search and strike)

History

Formed at RAF Station Oban, Scotland on 18 May 1942, 423 General Reconnaissance Squadron soon re-deployed to RAF Station Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland. Following the end of hostilities in Europe, the Squadron moved to Bassingbourn, England and re-equipped as a Transport Squadron for the Pacific Theatre. On the completion of hostilities against Japan, the Squadron disbanded in England on 4 September 1945.

They reformed at RCAF Station St. Hubert on 1 June 1953 as 423 All-Weather Fighter Squadron. The squadron went to 2 Wing Grostenquin on 12 February 1957 where they stayed until de-activation on 31 December 1962.

Liberator

On 3 September 1974, 423 Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron stood up at CFB Shearwater, where they currently reside. The squadron name changed on 31 January 1995 to 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.

During its existence, 423 Squadron has flown the following Aircraft:

  • Short Brothers Sunderland
  • Consolidated B-24 Liberator
  • North American Harvard
  • Avro CF-100 Canuck
  • Canadair (Lockheed) CT-33 Silver Star
  • Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King
Harvard

Battle Honours

  • Atlantic 1942-1945
  • English Channel and North Sea 1944-1945
  • Normandy 1944
  • Biscay 1944
  • Gulf and Kuwait

Contact Details

Mailing Address
423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron
P.O. Box 5000 Stn Main
Shearwater, Nova Scotia.
B0J 3A0