429 Transport Squadron in Afghanistan

Backgrounder / March 18, 2014

From the Royal Canadian Air Force

429 “Bison” Transport Squadron has been an integral contributor to the mission in Afghanistan since January 2002 when they participated as part of Operation Apollo, the first Canadian deployment in the campaign against terrorism. Between January and August 2002, the CC-130 Hercules Tactical Airlift Detachment (TAL Det) logged over 1,800 operational flying hours on more than 320 missions in the Arabian Gulf Region. During that same period the Squadron helped to deliver 2 million kilograms of cargo and 3,700 passengers to destinations in the theatre of operations in support of coalition forces.

The first Canadian tactical flight into Kandahar occurred in 2003. 429 Squadron successfully delivered 30,000 pounds of material to a bombed-out 3,900 foot long runway under direct small arms and rocket fire.

With the introduction of the CC-177 Globemaster III in 2007, 429 Squadron’s role expanded to providing the critical air bridge between Canada and Afghanistan with regular sustainment flights in support of operations. Critical to the success of the war effort, 429 Squadron flew 746 missions totaling close to 17,000 hours of flight. Combined, these missions saw the successful delivery of 32,000 troops and 65 million pounds of freight to Kabul, Kandahar and Bagram airfields in direct support of coalition forces. Not since the Korean War has Canada taken part in combat resupply operations.

From 2007 to today, 429 Squadron has deployed hundreds of individuals totaling 18,937 person days and 541 missions. In addition to the 541 missions, the Squadron has also conducted 285 sustainment flights. Each flight involved a crew of 6 and took on average 7-10 days to complete.