2006 News

Captain Sonia M.I. Dumouchel-Connock

12 Wing Public Affairs Officer

SHEARWATER, N.S. - - The work done by the maritime helicopter community and its fleet of Sea King helicopters is complex and varied, and is not often in the view of the Canadian public - until today, that is. 

Members of 443 Maritime Helicopter (MH) Squadron, along with Air Force members from 19 Wing Comox and 4 Wing Cold Lake and members of the Navy and Army in the Western area, are demonstrating their skill, expertise and hardware during a two-day open-house event held at Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C.

"Participating in events such as Navy Days is important because it allows our community to inform and educate the general public about the intricacies of the Sea King helicopter and its operations," says Warrant Officer Bruce Hollington, the 443 Squadron Operations Warrant Officer. "Often the military machine is hidden or restricted to the general public - but opportunities like Navy Days permit us to display the tools, equipment and personnel that we use to protect Canada's sovereignty and commitments overseas and abroad."

443 MH Squadron, the West Coast maritime helicopter squadron that conducts embarked helicopter operations with the West Coast naval fleet, is showcasing its capabilities with flying demonstrations today and tomorrow. 

"The flying demonstration is taking place over water, in the vicinity of the entrance to Victoria Harbour," says Warrant Officer Bruce Hollington.  "The demonstration is designed to show the general public the operational characteristics of the Sea King, and includes a high-speed pass, a hover and manoeuvering demo, a sonar demo, and hoist demo."

To further educate the Canadian public about what this helicopter community does day-to-day, a static display aircraft and its crew are on board HMCS Algonquin, an Iroquois class destroyer tied up alongside Ogden Point.

"This aircraft and its crew are demonstrating how the helicopter and ship interact during embarked operations," explains Warrant Officer Hollington.  "Members of Algonquin's Air Det [Helicopter Air Detachment] are available to the general public.  They are providing tours, answering questions, and demonstrating the interaction between the aircraft and the haul-down and "Bear Trap" systems and how the helicopter folds the blades and pylon to be able to traverse into the hangar."

All Squadron members are participating in some way in Navy Days.

"Due to the requirement to prep two serviceable aircraft, land on the ship, give tours and interviews, maintain an overnight security detail and so on, such evolutions require the participation of the unit as a whole," notes Warrant Officer Hollington.  "With reduction in personnel, the small size of the Squadron, and our heavy operational sea-going commitments, Navy Days has mandated the participation by everyone.  We thankfully have the support of family members and the dedication of our Squadron membership such that we can commit to support operations that are above the normal duty cycle and scheduled operations."

Members of the Maritime Helicopter community look forward to chatting with Canadians about embarked Sea King operations.  See you at Ogden Point!