The flyby following the ceremony. Video courtesy of Heather Slater Davies
A final salute was given Saturday morning in North Saanich to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s cold war workhorse the Sea King helicopter
Held at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron the ceremony saw military personnel, cadets and the public come to say goodbye to the aging fleet.
Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, addresses the parade and audience (photo: Photo LS Laurance Clarke/DND)
Three of the aircraft took a final ceremonial flight, but the fleet officially retires on the 31st with the last flight on the 17th.
“The Royal Canadian Navy has been well served by the Sea King—our longest range weapon and sensor—for decades,” said Vice-Admiral M. F. Ron Lloyd, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy in a statement.
The 1960’s CH-124 Sea King is being replaced with the modern Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone — which is currently deployed on NATO operations.
The Sea King fleet has flown more than 550,000 hours, which at their average cruising speed of 162 km/h is roughly equivalent to flying 7,200 times around the Earth or the equivalent of the distance from Earth to Mars.
The aircraft has buzzed the skies of Greater Victoria and abroad for decades and served roles from anti-submarine patrols, search and rescue, disaster relief and even forest fire fighting recently in B.C.
The formation fly-by from the Sea Kings on Saturday (Photo: LS Laurance Clarke/DND)
The final plans for the helicopter are still being reviewed. Some may be retained by the Department of National Defence and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum for display or training purposes. Some may also be put up for sale.
“The retirement of the CH-124 Sea King is truly historic for the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, commander of the RCAF in a statement.
“No other fleet has served as long as the Sea King, and its 55 years of service are a monument not only to its durability and capability, but to the men and women who operated, maintained and otherwise supported this incredible helicopter.”
Julian Kolsut
