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No. 403 Squadron RCAF | |
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Active | 1941 to Present |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
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[1] |
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.