444 Squadron

General Information:

Role(s):

• Air Observation Post Squadron – 1 September 1947 – 1 April 1949
• Fighter Squadron – 1 March 1953 – 1 March 1963
• Strike/Attack Squadron – 27 May 1963 – 31 March 1967.
• Tactical Helicopter Squadron – 3 November 1972 – 1 April 1993
• Combat Support Squadron’ 1 April 1993 – Present

Based:

• Rivers, Man. 1 Oct 47 – 1 Apr 49.
• St Hubert, Que. 1 Mar 53 – 26 Aug 53.
• En route overseas (Operation “Leapfrog IV”) 27 Aug 53 – 3 Sep 53.
• Baden-Soellingen, Ger. 4 Sep 53 – 1 Mar 63.
• Squadron inactive
• Baden-Soellingen, Ger. 27 May 63 – 1 Apr 67.
• Lahr, West Germany – 1972 – 1991
• Goose Bay, Labrador – 1993 – Present

Years Active:

Aircraft Used:

• de Havilland Chipmunk (May 48 – Mar 49)
• Auster A.O.P, Mk.VI (May 48 – Mar 49)
• Canadair Sabre Mk.4 (Mar 53 – Mar 54)?
• Canadair Sabre Mk.5 (Feb 54 – Jan 57)
• Canadair Sabre Mk.6 (Apr 55 – Feb 63)
• Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (May 63 – Mar 67)
• Hiller CH-112 Nomad 1961 – 1972
• Bell CH-136 Kiowa 1972 – 1991
• Bell CH-135 Twin Huey 1993 – 1996
• Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters (1996 – Present)

Commanding Officer:

Major N.W. Reilander	1 Oct 47 – 1 Apr 49
Squadron Leader E.R. Heggtveit, CD	2 Mar 53 – 22 Jul 53
Squadron Leader J. MacKay, DFC and Bar	23 Jul 53 – 8 Sep 53
Wing Commander Francis Hugh Darragh, AFC KIFA.	16 Jan 54 – 15 Mar 54
Squadron Leader J.B. Lawrence, CD	15 May 54 – 30 Jun 57
Squadron Leader D.F. Archer, CD	1 Jul 57 – 4 Jan 59
Squadron Leader E. Garry, CD	5 Jan 59 – 5 Sep 60
Wing Commander R.V. Smith, CD died.	6 Sep 60 – 23 Feb 61
Wing Commander J.L.A. Roussell, DFC, CD	10 Aug 61 – 1 Mar 63
Squadron inactive
Wing Commander K.J. Thorneycroft, CD	27 May 63 – 20 Jan 66
Wing Commander R.H. Annis, CD	1 Aug 66 – 1 Apr 67

Battle Honors:

None

Daily Diary / Historical Reports / ORB Links:

Key Dates / Notes:

• Authorized as ‘444 Air Observation Post Squadron’ 1 September 1947.
• Disbanded 1 April 1949.
• Reformed as ‘444 Fighter Squadron’ 1 March 1953.
• Disbanded 1 March 1963.
• Reformed as ‘444 Strike/Attack Squadron’ 27 May 1963.
• Disbanded 31 March 1967.
• Reformed as ‘444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron’ 3 November 1972.
• Redesignated in French “444e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères” 13 October 1973.
• Redesignated ‘444 Combat Support Squadron’ 1 April 1993

Ephemera:

External Links:

• Government of Canada
  • Official lineage webpage
  • Official Webpage
• Wikipedia

Sources:

• RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft, John Griffin and S. Kostenuk, 1977