402 Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent a standing grizzly bear totem of the North Pacific Coast Natives proper.

Significance

The grizzly bear holds a prominent place in Native mythology and is believed to have supernatural power.

Motto

WE STAND ON GUARD

Battle honours

The Second World War

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; Dieppe; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine.

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No.12 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron' 5 October 1932.^{Footnote 1}
• Redesignated 'No.112 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron' 15 November 1937.^{Footnote 2}
• Redesignated ‘No.112 (City of Winnipeg) (Army Co-Operation) Squadron’ 1 January 1940.^{Footnote 3}
• Redesignated ‘No.2 Canadian Squadron' 11 December 1940.^{Footnote 4}
• Redesignated 'No.402 Squadron' 1 March 1941.^{Footnote 5}
• Disbanded 1 July 1945.^{Footnote 6}
• Reformed as '402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron' 15 April 1946.^{Footnote 7}
• Redesignated '402 Fighter Squadron (Auxiliary)' 1 March 1947.^{Footnote 8}
• Redesignated '402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron' 1 April 1949.^{Footnote 9}
• Redesignated '402 "City of Winnipeg" (Fighter Bomber) Squadron' 18 September 1950.^{Footnote 10}
• Redesignated '402 "City of Winnipeg" (Fighter) Squadron' 16 November 1953.^{Footnote 11}
• Redesignated '402 "City of Winnipeg" (Transport) Squadron' 29 January 1957.^{Footnote 12}
• Redesignated '402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron' 31 March 1958.^{Footnote 13}
• Redesignated ‘402 Squadron (Auxiliary)’ 22 February 1964.^{Footnote 14}
• Redesignated '402 Air Reserve Squadron' 1 January 1969.^{Footnote 15}
• Redesignated ‘402 Squadron’ 1 April 1993.^{Footnote 17}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on fighter operations in Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany under 'Fighter Command' and '2nd Tactical Air Force'.^{Footnote 18}

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