400 Series

401 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron

Motto:
MORS CELERRIMA HOSTIBUS
(Very swift death for the enemy)

Badge:
A Rocky Mountain sheep's head Sable horned Or caboshed

Battle Honours:
Battle of Britain 1940, Defence of Britain 1940-44, English Channel and North Sea 1942, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Rhine

History

The squadron was originally known as No. 1 Fighter Squadron, formed at Trenton on May 17, 1937. The squadron mobilized for war in September 1939 and moved to England on June 9, 1940. In England, they were renumbered as 401 Fighter Squadron on March 1, 1941. 401 Squadron was disbanded in Germany on July 10, 1945 and then reformed at RCAF Station St. Hubert as 401 Fighter Squadron (Auxiliary) on April 15, 1946. On September 4, 1952 the title "City of Westmount" was bestowed upon the Squadron. In 1968, the unit was renamed to 401 "City of Westmount" Air Reserve Squadron and, in the 1980's, was renamed again to its most recent title 401 Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron. 401 Squadron was disbanded on 23 June 1996.

401 Squadron has flown the following Aircraft:

• Miles Magister
• North American Harvard
• Hawker Hurricane
• Supermarine Spitfire
• General Aircraft Hotspur II
• de Havilland Tiger Moth
• Auster AOP
• de Havilland Vampire
• Canadair (Lockheed) CT-33 Silver Star
• Canadair (North American) F-86 Sabre
• Beech CT-128 (C-45) Expeditor
• de Havilland CC-123 (DHC-3) Otter
• Bell CH-136 Kiowa