News Releases

BAGOTVILLE - A Griffon helicopter from 439 Squadron of 3 Wing Bagotville, along with its four crew members, including two search and rescue technicians, participated in a search and rescue operation in the Fermont area in northern Quebec.

Three snowmobilers found themselves in a dangerous situation when one of their snowmobiles fell through the ice as they were crossing a body of water.  Fortunately, they had a cellular telephone and a global positioning system with them, which enabled them to call for help.  The search and rescue team covered more than 400 kilometres in very precarious flying conditions in order to rescue the snowmobilers.  "This mission presented us with the sum of all climatic and operational challenges, which we rarely see in the same flight," explained 439 Squadron Commander Major Joël Roy.

According to Major Roy, both the crew and equipment were pushed to their limits and the three individuals were saved because of the 439 Squadron members' determination.  The pilot, Captain Nicolas Bossé, had to re-evaluate the feasibility of the mission on an ongoing basis.  "It was the kind of operation in which it was necessary to have an alternative option for every single one of my decisions," he added.

The one injured man and his two partners were airlifted to the Fermont hospital.  439 Squadron technicians and pilots train continually to maintain the highest possible level of professionalism and search and rescue expertise in order to support civilian authorities and CFB Bagotville military operations as well as the surrounding population.

 

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For more information, please contact Lieutenant Christian F. Courtemanche, 3 Wing Bagotville Public Affairs Officer, at 690-6362 or courtemanche.cf@forces.gc.ca.