439 Combat Support Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about 439 Combat Support Squadron?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
439 Combat Support Squadron (French: 439e Escadron de soutien au combat) is a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, based in Bagotville, Quebec.
439 Combat Support Squadron | |
---|---|
439e Escadron de soutien au combat | |
Active |
|
Country | Canada |
Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Role | Combat support |
Part of | 3 Wing Bagotville |
Garrison/HQ | Bagotville, Quebec |
Nickname(s) | Westmount (World War II), Sabre-Toothed Tiger |
Motto(s) | Fangs of death |
Battle honours |
|
Website | rcaf-arc |
Insignia | |
Squadron Code | 5V (1944–1945)[1] |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Typhoon, F-86 Sabre, CF-104 Starfighter, CF-18 Hornet |
Transport | CH-146 Griffon |
It was formed as No. 123 (Army Co-operation) Squadron in early 1942 for army training operations in eastern Canada during World War II, being renumbered No. 439 Squadron RCAF in late 1943 when it transferred to England. The squadron briefly flew the Hawker Hurricane before receiving the Hawker Typhoon, flying ground attack missions with the Second Tactical Air Force in support of Allied advances in northwestern Europe from mid-1944 to the end of the war in May 1945.
Disbanded shortly after the end of the Second World War, the squadron was reformed in 1951, operating the Canadair Sabre from England and France until 1963, when it was disbanded. It was quickly reformed as 439 Reconnaissance/Attack Squadron, operating the CF-104 Starfighter. Moved to Germany in 1967, it underwent several redesignations before assuming a ground attack mission at CFB Baden–Soellingen as 439 Tactical Fighter Squadron. After converting to the CF-18 Hornet in the mid-1980s, the squadron participated in the Gulf War. It assumed its current title in 1993, operating the Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter.