COLD LAKE - Residents near Cold Lake may catch a glimpse of multiple CT-155 Hawk aircraft from 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, as they conduct a flyby to mark the cessation of flying operations of 419 Squadron on Friday.
At about 11 a.m., "the aircraft will fly over the Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake at an altitude no lower than 500 feet above the highest obstacle over ground level," according to information from 4 Wing Cold Lake. "The public should not expect higher than normal noise in the vicinity of the base."
The notice adds, "Royal Canadian Air Force flybys are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety at all times. The Royal Canadian Air Force is proud to share in special events that allow us to demonstrate the capabilities of our personnel and aircraft to Canadians."
The flyby is subject to weather and operational requirements.
Background
According to information from the Government of Canada, "419 Squadron was originally formed at Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall, Suffolk, England in December 1941. It was an active member of 3 Group RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War and completed numerous missions with Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster bombers. At the end of the war the unit’s aircraft were flown back to Canada and the squadron was disbanded.
"Reactivated in March 1954, 419 Squadron began it’s second era, now as an all-weather fighter squadron flying the CF-100 Canuck. This continued until the squadron was once again disbanded in December 1962.
"The squadron’s third life commenced in December 1970, when 419 began to relocate to Cold Lake, Alberta as No. 1 Canadian Forces Flight Training School. They initially flew the T-33 Silver Star but then transitioned to the CF-5 Freedom Fighter. The squadron reached active duty in November 1975 but disbanded again 20 years later with the retirement of the CF-5 in June 1995.
"419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron was reactivated a fourth time on, 23 July 2000. The squadron has since conducted Phase IV of the NATO Flying Training Canada (NFTC) program for the air forces of Canada, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom."
