Cairn taken to the skies to launch commemoration of Arctic crash
News Release
June 20, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force led a small contingent to Canadian Forces Station Alert in Nunavut last week to dedicate a memorial cairn at the site of the crash of “Boxtop 22”. The cairn is dedicated to the memory of those who died, those who persevered and survived, and those who strove to rescue the survivors of the crash of a CC-130 Hercules during a resupply flight – Boxtop 22 – that occurred near the station on October 30, 1991.
Lifted to and from the crash site by CH-147F Chinook helicopter, the cairn will now be flown to 8 Wing Trenton in Ontario, where it will be accessible as part of a memorial to be unveiled for the 25th anniversary of the crash later this year.
Quotes
“We have taken the first flights in our task to mark the crash, the lives lost, and the rescue effort of Boxtop 22, as we prepare for the 25th anniversary. We and the families and friends of those who died still grieve. Survivors bear their scars. And rescuers retain their memories. While we live and operate in the high Arctic every day, we must be ever aware of the remoteness and risks our people accept to assure Canadian sovereignty at the top of the world.”
– Lieutenant-General Mike Hood, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force
Quick Facts
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The crash resulted in the death of five Canadian Armed Forces personnel. Several rescue attempts were launched by land and from the air, but blizzard conditions made it impossible to reach the survivors. After more than 30 hours, the first search and rescue technicians were able to parachute into the site to provide medical support to the 13 survivors. Other rescuers, including an overland effort, began arriving shortly thereafter.
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Families of those who died and the survivors are being contacted in preparation for the 25th anniversary.
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