400 Series
In this Section
403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron
Motto: STALK AND STRIKE
Badge:
Argent a Wolf's head Gules langued Azure erased.
Battle Honours:
Defence of Britain 1941-44, English Channel and North Sea 1942, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France and Germany 1944-45, Rhine
History
403 Squadron was the first Canadian squadron formed overseas that had no ties to any previous flying unit. Created on 1 March 1941 as 403 Fighter Squadron, the unit flew fighters for the duration of the war, until it was disbanded at Fassberg, Germany on 10 July 1945. On 15 October 1948, the squadron was reformed at RCAF Station Calgary as 403 Fighter-Bomber Squadron (Auxiliary) and on 3 September 1952, they received the title "City of Calgary". 403 Squadron remained in Calgary until they were disbanded on June 30, 1964. They reformed in 1968 as 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron and moved their home to CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, where they reside today equipped with the CH-146 Griffon.
The squadron has flown these Aircraft:
- Curtis P-40 Tomahawk
- Supermarine Spitfire
- North American Harvard
- North American P-51 Mustang
- Beech CT-128 (C-45) Expeditor
- Canadair (Lockheed) CT-33 Silver Star
- de Havilland CC-123 (DHC-3) Otter
- Bell CH-118 Iroquois
- Bell CH-135 Twin Huey
- Bell CH-136 Kiowa
- Bell CH-146 Griffon
