425 Tactical Fighter Squadron
| 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1945, 1954–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Role | Strategic bombing (1942–1945), fighter-interceptor (1954–present) |
| Part of | No. 6 Group RCAF (1943–1945), 3 Wing (1961–present) |
| Home station | CFB Bagotville |
| Nickname(s) | Alouette Squadron |
| Motto(s) | Je te plumerai ("I shall pluck you") |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Badge | A lark volant wings elevated and adorned proper |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber |
|
| Fighter |
|
425 Tactical Fighter Squadron (French: 425e Escadron d'appui tactique, also "Alouette" (English: skylark) Squadron, is a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It operates CF-18 Hornet fighter jets from CFB Bagotville in Quebec, Canada. The squadron was originally formed during the Second World War.
425 Squadron, the first French Canadian squadron, was formed on 22 June 1942 at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire, England, as a bomber unit flying Vickers Wellingtons. On the night of 5/6 October 1942, the squadron went into action for the first time, bombing Aachen with a small number of aircraft. In 1943, the squadron flew to Kairouan, Tunisia, and from there, it conducted operations against Italy and Sicily, returning to the UK in November of the same year. In December, they were re-equipped with Handley Page Halifaxes and flew their first mission with these aircraft in February 1944. Their final operation took place on 25 April 1945, when they bombed gun batteries on the tiny Frisian island of Wangerooge. Following the end of the war in Europe, in May 1945, 425 Squadron re-equipped again, this time with Avro Lancaster Mk X's. In June, they flew back to Canada to prepare for their role in Tiger Force for the continuing war against Japan. The use of atomic bombs precluded the need for Tiger Force, and 425 was disbanded on 5 September 1945 at RCAF Station Debert, less than three weeks after the Japanese surrender.
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