Canadian CH-147F Chinook is welcomed home
News Article / June 28, 2013
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By Joanna Calder
Lieutenant-Colonel Duart Townsend’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Can you hear it?” he demanded. “It’s coming.”
A few moments later, the distinctive, heavy “whoppa-whoppa-whoppa” noise of rotor blades blotted out all other sound. Then an enormous helicopter rose over the line of civilian aircraft parked on the tarmac at Ottawa’s International Airport, turned and set down in front of the Canada Reception Centre. The downwash – the wind created by the turning rotor blades – kicked up dust and gravel and forced the spectators to avert their faces.
LCol Townsend, commanding officer of 450 Tactical Aviation Squadron, and squadron members grinned likes kids at Christmas time. Canada’s first F-model CH-147 Chinook helicopter – and the first Canadian Armed Forces’ Chinook to fly in Canadian airspace for more than two decades – had arrived home.
On June 24, 2013, the day before the arrival, Major-General Pierre St-Amand, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, accepted the first of 15 Canadian CH-147F Chinooks at the Boeing manufacturing facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“We often say that flexibility is the key to airpower,” he said just before being presented with a ceremonial key representing Canada’s acceptance of the modern, medium- to heavy-lift helicopter.
“When it comes to flexibility, the F-model Chinook offers the muscle, the range and advanced capabilities to cover a broad spectrum of tactical functions. When you combine this with its potential for deployment via CC-177 [Globemaster III], the possibilities for global force projection are virtually unlimited.”
The next day, the Chinook flew to Canada, escorted by CH-146 Griffons, the same type of helicopter that provided close-air support to Canada’s D-model Chinooks when they were used to transport troops, equipment and supplies in Afghanistan.
“During a visit to Afghanistan in 2011, we took a flight in a Chinook D from Camp Nathan Smith, returning to Kandahar Airfield,” said Major-General Richard Foster, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, during the formal welcome ceremony held Thursday, June 27, at the Canada Reception Centre in Ottawa.
“I had the privilege of sitting next to a young, 20-year-old signaller who was on his way home – to family. The look of relief on this young man’s face that he did not have to risk facing the possibility of an IED [improvised explosive device] on the road said it all.
“The Royal Canadian Air Force carrying Canadian troops in hostile territory is – in many ways – what today is all about.”
MGen Foster explained that the Canadian Chinook, which was designed with Canada’s unique operational needs in mind, is ideally suited to operations at home and abroad. “Its versatility, impressive capacity and what we call ‘long legs’ make it ideal for operations in our vast nation’s harsh territory and demanding environment.”
Read more about the CH-147F’s capabilities and characteristics in the National Defence backgrounder “Canada’s new CH-147F Chinook Helicopter” and the Chinook fact sheet on the RCAF’s aircraft web page.
“I am proud to say that our Chinooks are being delivered within budget and on schedule, thanks to the dedication of Boeing and their partners,” said Associate Minister of National Defence Kerry-Lynne Findlay. “We thank you. I would also like to recognize the hard work of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the testing and evaluation team, who have worked diligently, long hours and weekends over the last year, to deliver this major acquisition within demanding time frames.”
“It’s a real pleasure to be here on this historic day for the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said Defence Minister Peter MacKay, “[and] I should also note that this is a big day for the Army as well. I know from having visited with our troops in Afghanistan [that] there was nothing that brought bigger smiles and more relief to their faces than the sight of a Chinook helicopter overhead.
“We know that this state-of-the art F-model Chinook helicopter will continue [the tradition of] providing assistance to those in need, whether they be natural disasters, whether they be the mobility support that is required for the Canadian Army or other government departments, law enforcement agencies or civilian authority.”
The fleet of 15 Chinooks will be located at 450 Tactical Aviation Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario. The crewmembers who flew the first Chinook, tail number 147303, from Pennsylvania to Ottawa are eager put this latest addition to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet to work. They are full of praise for the aircraft.
“It’s a wonderful piece of equipment,” said Major Jonathan Knaul, who was first officer for the trip. “The vice president of Boeing’s vertical lift operations said it quite well yesterday when she said ‘It’s the most advanced helicopter built to date’ – and it flies just like it.
“The Chinook takes care of you on a bad day – or any day,” he added.
Capt Chris Hasler was aircraft commander for the flight home to Canada. “Everything went very smoothly, so for a first test it was exceptional.”
LCol Townsend is not only 450 Squadron’s commanding officer but he was also the last person to qualify as a Chinook pilot before the C-models were removed from service in 1991.
“I’m feeling really good!” he said. “Twenty-two years later, to see such a fantastic aircraft and have the honour of leading and stewarding some fantastically motivated and dedicated people is a true honour.”
After the welcome ceremony, Canada’s first F-model Chinook – escorted by two Griffon helicopters – departed from the Ottawa airport, took a turn around Parliament Hill and flew to CFB Petawawa, where it will begin to write a new chapter in the story of RCAF airpower capabilities in the service of Canada and Canadians.