With its four Allison engines roaring, Canadian Forces Hercules number 333 taxied onto the ramp of its new home at 17 Wing Winnipeg on August 22, 1994. This was the last of seven Hercs to arrive at 17 Wing from 18 Wing Edmonton, completing the move of 435 Squadron to its new base of operation in Winnipeg.

The men and women of 435 Squadron were formed up on the ramp to greet the aircraft and crew, carrying the Squadron Colours and Colour Party. Also on hand to meet the aircraft was the Deputy Commander of Air Command, MGen De Queitville, the Commander of Air Transport Group, BGen Brace, and the Wing Commander, Col Sharpe.

As the Commanding Officer of 435 Squadron, LCol Roger Lamothe, brought the Squadron to attention, Lt Corey Smith marched the 435 Colours off the ramp of Hercules 333, flanked by the escorts, Sgt Mike Landers and Sgt Bob Lawrence.

Deftly dodging a running CTV cameraman, LCol Lamothe marched his Squadron and Colours from the flight line to the Officers’ Mess, where BGen Brace and Col Sharpe assisted in placing thecolours alongside those of 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron. The move of 435 Squadron created a great deal of local media interest, although none of the other cameramen and photographers tried to run over the Squadron CO.

Following the placement of the colours, there was an all-ranks reception at the Officers’ Mess to welcome the Squadron to 17 Wing.

With the Federal Budget of February 1994, DND closed or scaled down several bases, including the airfield at 18 Wing Edmonton. The airfield became a heliport for 408 Squadron and was closed to fixed wing aircraft, resulting in the move of 435 Squadron to 17 Wing.

17 Wing is proud to be the new home of 435 Squadron.

The move was a major undertaking for both the Squadron and 17 Wing, with aircraft, equipment, personnel and families moving to Winnipeg, and many 17 Wing sections and units moving to new locations to clear hangar and office space. However, 435 Squadron was operational for its Search and Rescue role on August 1, 1994, and their KCC-130 Air-to-Air Refuelling tankers were cleared for operations on September 7, 1994. The Squadron has already been active in several searches, and in Boxtop 2/94 resupplying CF5 Alert.

17 Wing is proud to be the new home of 435 Squadron. Not since 429 Squadron was moved to 8 Wing Trenton in 1991 have Hercules been seen regularly over the skies of Winnipeg.