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19 WING COMOX – A 407 Squadron CP-140 Aurora aircraft and crew from 19 Wing Comox flew all the way to the top of the world this week. The mission was part of a routine Northern Patrol (NORPAT), which included flights over our northern waters. The Squadron conducts several NORPATs a year to exercise Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic region.

“With an endurance in excess of 12 hours, the Aurora is the ideal platform to conduct these patrols in the North,” said Major Gilles Raiche, Detachment Commander. “It is important to conduct these patrols in order to exercise our sovereignty in Canada’s Arctic region and our Squadron personnel are well trained for these missions.”

This particular deployment differed from previous NORPATs as the Squadron was honoured to have the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia and Honourary Colonel of 19 Wing, Iona Campagnolo, along for the journey. The squadron was also pleased to bring the Honorary Colonel of 443 Squadron, Robert Glazier, and the Honorary Colonel of 407 Squadron, Ron Webber, to the northernmost reaches of our nation. B.C.’s Lt. Governor has long spoken of Canada in terms of being a nation “from coast, to coast to coast.”

"I was pleased to accompany the NORPAT crew on their Sovereignty Tour, to have a first hand look at the way Canada is re-emphasizing its sovereign boundaries in the Arctic and have the opportunity to observe at first hand the professionalism and dedication of Canada's Armed Forces in this new era of the development of Canada Command," said Her Honour, Iona Campagnolo.

These particular Northern Patrol operations were staged out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and after the successful completion of their Northern Patrol missions, the Crew will return to their home Base in Comox this evening.

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For more information, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt Cheryl Robinson, at (250) 339-8201, pager (250) 703-7035.