404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron

No. 404 Squadron RCAF

Four twin-engined World War II-era monoplanes in flight over farmland

Four No. 404 Squadron Beaufighters in mid-February 1945
Active 1941–1945, 1951–current
Country  Canada
Branch Royal Canadian Air Force
Role Long Range Patrol and Training
Based at CFB Greenwood
Motto Ready to fight
Battle honours Atlantic 1941–45, English Channel and North Sea, 1941–45, Baltic 1944–45, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1943–44
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 The 404 Squadron's Badge shows a bison's head, representing the ferocity and power of the bison.
Aircraft flown
Attack Bristol Beaufighter, deHavilland Mosquito
Bomber Bristol Blenheim, Avro Lancaster
Patrol Lockheed CP-122 Neptune, Canadair CP-107 Argus, Lockheed CP-140 Aurora
Transport Beech CT-128 Expeditor

404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron is a long range patrol and training squadron in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron was originally No. 404 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

History

Beaufighter of No. 404 Squadron

The squadron was formed at Thorney Island in Sussex, England on 15 April 1941 under Royal Air Force operational control. Tasked with coastal patrol and attack, the squadron flew the Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV & later the Beaufighter. From May 1944 to September 1944 they were based at RAF Davidstow Moor in Cornwall, England.

As part of the RAF Dallachy strike wing of four Beaufighter-equipped squadrons, they took part in an attack on German ships on the Norwegian coast on 9 February 1945. The ships included a destroyer and "flak" ships as well as merchantmen. The ships were located in a fjord and German fighter aircraft scrambled in defence. As a result of the heavy losses to the Dallachy Wing the attack was subsequently called "Black Friday". The squadron disbanded on 25 May 1945.

The squadron was reformed on April 30, 1951, at RCAF Station Greenwood as 404 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron. On 17 July 1956, 404 Squadron was redesignated as a Maritime Patrol squadron, and when the CP-140 Aurora came into service the title was changed again to 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron. The current title is 404 Long Range Patrol and Training (LRP&T) Squadron.

Currently 404 Sqn serves as the Operational Training Unit (OTU) for Aircrew and Maintenance personnel who work on the CP140 Aurora and CP140/A Arcturus.

Aircraft operated

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 404 Squadron RCAF.