BY NANCY KELLY
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Between June 9 and 12, more than 600 retired and serving air force personnel converged on 14 Wing Greenwood for Rendez Vous 2011: a weekend-long event hosted in celebration of the 70th anniversary of “four proud” Maritime Air Squadrons 404, 405, 413 and 415.
The event coincided with the 45th anniversary of VP International: a service organization promoting friendship among members of allied maritime reconnaissance air force units.
“History and Fellowship” was the central theme for all reunion activities attended by members of the four units who came together to celebrate their service to Canada. The weekend featured a series of events geared to remembrance of the past and anticipation of the future of aviation in Greenwood. Events included a meet and greet, a golf tournament, banquet dinner and dance, industry displays and displays focused on each of the squadrons. The reunion wrapped up with a farewell breakfast June 12, followed by a VPI memorial service.
14 Wing Commander Colonel Bill Seymour was among those in attendance. He said he was pleased with the turn out and also with the camaraderie that was in full display all weekend.
Lt. Colonel Jim Irvine, who will assume Seymour’s duties as Base Commander in August, was also on hand for the celebration.
All four air squadrons were originally formed in 1941 in England as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force commitment to the defense of Britain during WWII. 404 squadron, reformed in 1951, is now a long-range patrol and training unit. Squadron members have flown Avro Lancaster, Lockheed Neptune and Canadair Argus equipment and now operate the current CP140 Aurora. 404 is the Aurora Operational Training Unit responsible for aircrew and maintainer training.
405 Squadron is now one of two Long Range Patrol (LRP) Squadrons in Canada. Reformed in March 1950, 405, along with 404 Squadron, flew maritime reconnaissance missions from Greenwood using the Lancaster Mk X.
413 Squadron, currently a Transport and Rescue Unit, has had a varied existence. It has called Ottawa, Bagotville and Summerside home and in 1991 came to Greenwood where it conducts search and rescue duties.
415 Squadron served in Greenwood from 1981 to 2005, when it was retired. The unit’s colours are housed in the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum.
