403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron
| No. 403 Squadron RCAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1941 to Present |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Allegiance |
Canada
|
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Stalk and Strike |
| Battle honours | Defence of Britain 1941–1944 English Channel and North Sea 1942 Fortress Europe 1941–44 Dieppe France and Germany 1944–45 Normandy 1944 Rhine. |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A Wolf's head, caboshed |
| Squadron Codes | KH (Mar 1941 – May 1945 ) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Supermarine Spitfire, North American P-51 Mustang |
| Helicopter | CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-136 Kiowa, Bell CH-146 Griffon |
| Trainer | Canadair CT-133 Silver Star |
| Transport | Beechcraft Model 18, de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter |
403 "City of Calgary" (Helicopter) Operational Training Squadron (403 Sqn) is a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) located at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. It is equipped with CH-146 Griffons and provides operational aircrew training to the crews who will fly the helicopter. The squadron also conducts operational test and evaluation, develops aviation tactics and carries out operations in support of the 1 Wing mission. It also supports the local Army requirements of the Combat Training Centre. It was founded as No. 403 Squadron RCAF.
A pilot will spend three months at Gagetown learning to fly the Griffon before being posted to one of 1 Wing's five operational squadrons. While at Gagetown, pilots learn advanced aircraft handling, including slinging and hoisting, tactical formation, flying and low-level tactical flying.
No. 403 (Fighter) Squadron RCAF was formed at RAF Station Baginton (now Coventry Airport), Warwickshire, England, on 1 March 1941.
The first squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) formed overseas under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), it was identified by the letters KH.
Initially equipped with the Curtiss Tomahawk I, they were replaced with the Supermarine Spitfire after only 29 operational sorties. Through continual replacement and updating, the squadron flew various models, Mk I through Mk XVI, of this very popular aircraft.
It was flying a Mk IX Spitfire in 1943 that ace George "Screwball" Beurling scored his 30th air victory while flying with the squadron.
The squadron served in RAF Fighter Command and Second Tactical Air Force for over four years.
By May 1945, the squadron had a record of 123 enemy aircraft destroyed, with a share in seven more, 10 probably destroyed, and 72 damaged with a share in one more.
Ground targets destroyed or damaged included 30 tanks, 50 locomotives, and nearly 100 other vehicles. Sixteen Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC), four DFC with Bar, and one Military Medal were awarded to members of the Squadron, in addition to a number of Mentions in Despatch.
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