2012 Cormorant Trophy awarded to "Rescue 915"
News Article / November 23, 2012
The search and rescue helicopter crew of "Rescue 915" were presented with AgustaWestland’s Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue, on November 6, 2012, at 9 Wing Gander, N.L.
The Rescue 915 crew, from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, located at 9 Wing, received this year's trophy for their heroic actions in saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut, on October 27, 2011.
Sergeant Janick Gilbert, search and rescue technician (SAR tech) from 424 Search and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., perished during the rescue.
The trophy was presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Gilbert Thibeault, 9 Wing’s commander, and Jeremy Tracy, Head of Region-Canada for AgustaWestland.
“Despite the tragic loss of life, this rescue is being recognized because of the extreme circumstances of distance, location, weather conditions and [Rescue 915’s] rescue of two hunters, two SAR techs from another squadron and the recovery of their companion,” Mr. Tracy said earlier this year.
“While there were a number of very worthy contenders, this particular rescue stood out for the complexity and danger, and was therefore the unanimous choice of the adjudicators.”
Rescue 915 crew members who accepted the award were Sergeant Brad Hiscock (flight engineer), Captain Aaron Noble (aircraft commander), Master Corporal Shawn Bretschneider (search and rescue technician team member) and Sergeant Daniel Villeneuve (search and rescue technician team lead).
Captain Dean Vey, the co-pilot, was unable to attend the presentation.
“We are all extremely proud of the crew of Rescue 915,” said Major Clinton Mowbray, commanding officer of 103 Squadron, when the award was announced during the national search and rescue exercise in September.
“They persevered through incredibly difficult conditions that lesser men would have turned back from. Sadly, they could not save one of our SAR brothers, but their perseverance — despite immense personal risk — ensured [that] four others lived.”
On November 26, the three SAR techs who parachuted into the icy Arctic waters to save stranded Inuit hunters — Sergeant Gilbert, Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay and Master Corporal Marco Journeyman — will receive the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, at a ceremony in London, U.K. All are from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, Ont. The IMO is the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of maritime pollution by ships. The award is its highest honour.
And at a ceremony in London, U.K., on October 23, the entire team — Rescue 915 from 103 Squadron and the three SAR techs from 424 Squadron — received the Award of Gallantry from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) for the rescue. This is awarded to an individual or crew of an aircraft in any field of aviation for an outstanding act of gallantry.