Royal Canadian Air Force members receive international award for bravery
News Article / November 26, 2012
Three Canadian Forces search and rescue technicians from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., received the International Maritime Organization Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, at a ceremony held today in London, United Kingdom.
Sergeant Janick Gilbert, Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay and MCpl Marco Journeyman received this prestigious honour for saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut, on October 27, 2011. Tragically, Sergeant Janick Gilbert perished during the rescue.
"All Canadians can be truly proud of these selfless and courageous men, and can feel confident that the best search and rescue professionals in the world are always on duty to help Canadians in distress, around the clock from coast to coast to coast," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
"Sergeant Janick Gilbert, Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay, and Master Corporal Marco Journeyman clearly embody the search and rescue technicians' motto...That others may live, and tragically Sergeant Gilbert gave his life in upholding this ideal."
"This was an extremely demanding mission due to the remote location and harsh weather conditions," said General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. "It is entirely appropriate that the International Maritime Organization saw fit to recognize the bravery and professionalism of these search and rescue technicians under some of the most extreme conditions imaginable."
The ceremony was attended by Sgt Gilbert's widow, Melisa Lesquir, who accepted the award on his behalf, and his mother, Diane Gilbert; MCpl Lahaye-Lemay and Miss Christine Baldwin; and MCpl Journeyman and his wife, Anne. The ceremony was also attended by the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gordon Campbell, and Rear-Admiral Dave Gardam, commander of the Halifax search and rescue region, Brigadier-General Michael Dabros, commander of the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff-London, BGen Bruce Ploughman, deputy commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, Captain (Navy) Tom Tulloch, naval advisor at the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (London); and Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Bernier, commanding officer of 424 Squadron.
This search and rescue mission was a collaborative effort that included search and rescue aircraft and crews from 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man.; 8 Wing Trenton, Ont.; 9 Wing Gander, N.L.; and 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. It was coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton.
Searchers located the two local hunters who were stranded in an open boat and dropped a radio to them. The condition of one hunter was deteriorating and when communications were lost, the three search and rescue technicians from 8 Wing parachuted in strong winds from their CC-130 Hercules into the high seas to render assistance. A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, 9 Wing Gander, arrived on scene, airlifted the two victims along with the three search and rescue technicians from the area, and transported them to the medical centre in Igloolik. The mission itself resulted in the rescue of the two local citizens with only minor injuries.
The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of maritime pollution by ships. The Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea is the highest honour awarded by the International Maritime Organization.
The Canadian Forces members received this award jointly with Able Seaman Cesar Flores Flores, a rescue swimmer of the aerial detachment from Puerto Montt, Fifth Naval Zone, Chilean Navy.
During his career, Sgt Janick Gilbert also received the Guild of Pilots and Air Navigators Award of Gallantry (GAPAN), the Sacrifice Medal (awarded posthumously), the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia and the Canadian Forces' Decoration.