| 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 427e Escadron d'opérations spéciales d'aviation (French) | |
 | |
| Active |
|
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Special operations helicopter squadron |
| Part of | Canadian Special Operations Forces Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Garrison Petawawa |
| Nickname | Lion Squadron |
| Motto | Ferte manus certas (Latin for 'Strike with a sure hand') |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | |
| Battle honours | See§ Battle honours |
| Website | www |
427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) (French:427e Escadron d'opérations spéciales d'aviation, 427 EOSA) is a tactical helicopter unit that provides aviation support toCanadian Special Operations Forces Command. The squadron is based atGarrison Petawawa (CFB Petawawa), Ontario with a fleet ofBell CH-146 Griffon helicopters.[1] It was founded during the Second World War asNo. 427 Squadron RCAF.
427 Squadron started as aRoyal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) bomber squadron formed atCroft, England on 7 November 1942 and spent its wartime entirely in England as a part ofNo. 6 Group RCAF, part of theRoyal Air Force (RAF)Bomber Command. 427 flewVickers Wellingtons, theMk IIIs andMk Xs, from its first operational mission on 14 December 1942, a minelaying sortie to theFrisian Islands, until May 1943 when it was relocated toLeeming, North Yorkshire. Re-equipped withHandley Page Halifax Mk V aircraft, the squadron flew intensely until early 1944 when it replaced its inventory withHalifax Mk III aircraft. This fleet saw the greatest number of missions and in slightly more than a year's time they were then replaced byAvro Lancaster bombers prior to the end of the Second World War. The Lancasters were used forprisoner of war repatriation until the end of May 1946. 427 was stood down on 1 June 1946.[2]
The squadron was reformed on 1 August 1952 atRCAF Station St. Hubert (Saint-Hubert is a borough in the city ofLongueuil, Quebec) as 427 Fighter Squadron, flyingCanadair Sabres, and was transferred to No. 3 (Fighter) Wing atZweibrücken in March 1953. Selected as the first European RCAF squadron to receive theCanadair CF-104 Starfighter for the nuclear strike role, the squadron was stood down from its day-fighter role on 15 December 1962 and reformed as 427 (Strike-Attack) Squadron two days later.[3]
On 1 February 1968,unification of the Canadian Armed Forces integrated 427 into the newCanadian Armed Forces. The squadron was again disbanded on 1 July 1970.[3]
427 came back into existence as 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron atGarrison Petawawa, where it remains today.[4]
The squadron has also taken an active role in humanitarian efforts such as theJanuary 1998 ice storm in eastern Canada, where the squadron deployed eight aircraft toOttawa andKingston, and the November 1998 mission to help the victims ofHurricane Mitch. With only 24 hours' notice, four 427 SquadronBell CH-146 Griffons deployed toLa Ceiba, Honduras. Once in the country, Griffon crews airlifted medical teams into communities cut off by the hurricane.[5] For the next six weeks, the squadron ferried supplies and aid workers to many isolated towns and villages.
On 1 February 2006, command of 427 was transferred toCanadian Special Operations Forces Command, as it took on a full-time role of special operations aviation support. Shortly thereafter, it was renamed 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS).[1] Qualified tactical aviators selected by 427 SOAS must complete SOTAC (Special Operation Tactical Aviation Course), which runs for approximately four months.[6]
The squadron has a dedicated concrete helipad, measuring 150 ft × 150 ft (46 m × 46 m), atPetawawa Heliport.[7]
| Aircraft | Variants | Operational period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vickers Wellington | Mk.III | November 1942 – March 1943 | [8] |
| Vickers Wellington | Mk Xs | February 1942 – May 1943 | [8] |
| Handley Page Halifax | Mk.V | May 1943 – February 1944 | [8] |
| Handley Page Halifax | Halifax Mk III | January 1944 – March 1945 | [8] |
| Avro Lancaster | Mk.I,Mk.III | March 1945 – May 1946 | [8] |
| Canadair Sabre | Mk.2 | September 1952 – June 1953 | [9] |
| Canadair Sabre | Mk.5 | May 1953 – September 1955 | [9] |
| Canadair Sabre | Mk.6 | September 1955 – December 1962 | [9] |
| Canadair CF-104 Starfighter | December 1962 – 1970 | [9] | |
| Cessna L-19 Bird Dog | January 1971 – | [4] | |
| Bell Twin Huey | CH-135 Twin Huey | 1992 – July 1997 | [4] |
| Bell Kiowa | CH-136 Kiowa | ||
| Mil Mi-17 | Mil CH-178 | 2010 – 2011 | [Note 1] |
| Aircraft | Variants | Operational period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell CH-146 Griffon | December 1996 – present | [10] | |
| Beechcraft Super King Air | CE-145C Vigilance (350ER) | April 2024 – present | [11] |
Battle honours in small capitals are for large operations and campaigns and those in lowercase are for more specific battles. 427 Squadron was awarded the followingbattle honours, which are carried on their standard:[4]
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