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News Release
Operation Halo Helicopters Going Home
NR-04.055 - July 22, 2004
OTTAWA – Four of the six Canadian Forces CH-146 Griffon helicopters in support of Operation HALO in Haiti, left today for their home base in Valcartier, Quebec. Since March 2004, the 430 Tactical Helicopter Detachment has flown about 700 missions totaling more than 1,500 flying hours. The helicopters have been used to provide support to ground operations, ferry personnel and for humanitarian assistance.
“The men and women of the Tactical Helicopter Detachment performed admirably throughout this mission,” said General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff. “They were particularly effective during the flooding crisis that hit Haiti in late May and early June by assisting the humanitarian relief efforts.”
“I am very proud of the contribution that all ranks of my detachment have made in providing aviation support to Task Force Haiti and the United Nations,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Pierre St-Cyr, Commanding Officer, Tactical Helicopter Detachment. “My personnel have met the challenges of a high operational tempo and climate, with outstanding professionalism.”
Four Chilean helicopters were recently declared operationally ready, allowing the re-deployment of some Canadian aviation assets. Operation HALO is the Canadian Forces commitment to the Mission des Nations unies pour la stabilization en Haïti (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti), or MINUSTAH. Task Force Haiti is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jim Davis and comprises about 500 soldiers, Air Force personnel and sailors, primarily from Gagetown, New Brunswick, and Valcartier, Quebec.
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NOTE TO THE EDITORS: Images of CF operations in Haiti can be found at www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca .
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