• October 13, 2017
• Bob Peters

CYCC – Members of the 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron was in the Cornwall area this month to undertake a search effort.

A CH-146 Griffon took advantage of the new fuel station at the Cornwall Regional Airport. The Griffon is a Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter based at 8 Wing Trenton (UTTH) that has been in service since 1995.

While the Griffon’s primary military role is tactical transportation of troops and material, it is also used at home and abroad for search and rescue (SAR) missions. They can be equipped with a hoist that enables them to extract people and a cargo hook that lets them transport cargo from almost any terrain.

The Griffon can also be equipped with:

• a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) system
• a Wescam MX-15 electro-optical imaging system
• a powerful Nitesun searchlight
• armoured floors and crew seats

The aircraft can carry up to 13 people (two pilots, a flight engineer and 10 passengers) and has a maximum gross weight of nearly 5,400 kilograms. The Griffon can reach speeds up to 260 kilometres per hour.

424 (Tiger) Squadron is a Transport and Rescue Squadron (TRS) working out of #9 Hangar at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. To fulfil its roles, 424 Squadron flies the CH-146 Griffon helicopter and the CC-130 Hercules.