No. 402 Squadron RCAF
| 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron | |
|---|---|
402 "City of Winnipeg" RCAF Reserve Squadron Mustang
|
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| Active |
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| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Role | Light transport, training |
| Part of | 2 Canadian Air Division |
| Garrison/HQ | CFB Winnipeg |
| Motto(s) | We stand on guard |
| Battle honours |
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| Website | www |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron badge | Argent a standing grizzly bear totem of the North Pacific Coast Natives proper |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | CC/CT-142 Dash 8 |
402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron (French: 402e Escadron) is a Royal Canadian Air Force (formerly the Canadian Forces) squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
402 Squadron began on 5 October 1932 as Number 12 Army Co-operation Squadron, a unit of the non-permanent active Air Force. During the early years, meetings were held in Minto Armories, while flying facilities were based at Stevenson Field, now Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. The aircraft flown included a number of Avro Tutors, de Havilland Gipsy Moths and a few other light aircraft. On 15 November 1937, No. 12 Army Cooperation Squadron was renumbered No. 112 Army Cooperation Squadron, flying a variety of aircraft types including the Avro 626 and de Havilland Tiger Moth.
After the outbreak of war, No. 112 Squadron was sent to Ottawa in February 1940, and re-equipped with the Westland Lysander, stocks of which were left behind when No. 110 Squadron was posted overseas. The squadron was likewise sent to Europe on 30 June 1940 with the intention to have No. 112 Squadron become part of the British Expeditionary Force but the decision was made that Army Co-operation squadrons were not needed in France, and the squadron was re-deployed to coastal defence duties in England.
On 11 December 1940, the squadron was re-designated No. 2 Squadron RCAF and equipped with the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I. Finally, in March 1941, while stationed at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire, England the squadron was renumbered as No. 402 Squadron RCAF to comply with Article XV and re-equipped with the Hurricane Mk II the following May and then Hurricane Mk.IIBs in June. With these, it began training to become the first "Hurribomber" unit, commencing operations in this role in November 1941, carrying pairs of 250 lb bombs beneath the wings.
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Wikipedia