History
No. 407 Coastal Strike Squadron was formed at Thorney Island, England on the 8 May 1941, first training on the Bristol Blenheim. It was one of seven Article XV RCAF units to serve with RAF Coastal Command. The squadron's wartime history can be divided into two periods. From September 1941 to January 1943, the squadron operated as a "strike" squadron attacking enemy shipping with the Lockheed Hudson. It was as a strike squadron that it won its reputation and its nickname "The Demon Squadron". On 29 January 1943 it was re-designated 407 General Reconnaissance Squadron, and for the remainder of the war it protected friendly shipping from the U-Boat threat operating the Vickers Wellington.
The squadron was disbanded on 4 June 1945 following the end of the Second World War. On 1 July 1952 the squadron was reactivated at RCAF Station Comox as 407 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Avro Lancaster. On 17 July 1956 it was renamed as a Maritime Patrol Squadron.
The squadron has served continuously in Comox since 1952 flying the Lancaster, P2V-7 Neptune, and CP-107 Argus. On 28 June 1975, the squadron was present its Standard by the Honourable Walter Owen, Q.C. L.L.D. Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Today, 407 Squadron flies the updated CP-140 Aurora on coastal patrol, anti-submarine and long range patrol duties.
Read more about this topic: 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron
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“The history of the past is but one long struggle upward to equality.”
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