405 Long Range Patrol Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent an eagle's head erased proper sinister holding in its beak a sprig of three maple leaves Vert.

Significance

The motto refers to the fact that this was the first bomber squadron overseas, and the only pathfinder force squadron. The eagle's head, facing to the sinister to suggest leadership, is derived from the pathfinder badge.

Motto

DUCIMUS (We lead)

Battle honours

The Second World War

FORTRESS EUROPE, 1941-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1941-1945; Ruhr, 1941-1945; Berlin, 1941, 1943-1944; German Ports, 1941-1945; Normandy, 1944; Walcheren; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943.

Coalition Operation – Libya

LIBYA, 2011

SOUTH-WEST ASIA

ARABIAN SEA

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No.405 (Bomber) Squadron' 23 April 1941.^{Footnote 1}
• Disbanded 30 September 1945.^{Footnote 2}
• Reformed as ‘405 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron’ 1 April 1947.^{Footnote 3}
• Disbanded 1 October 1947.^{Footnote 4}
• Reformed as '405 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron' 31 March 1950.^{Footnote 5}
• Redesignated '405 Maritime Patrol Squadron' 17 July 1956.^{Footnote 6}
• Designated ‘405e Escadron de patrouille maritime’ in French 8 September 1977.^{Footnote 7}
• Re-designated '405 Long Range Patrol Squadron' 5 Sep 2008.^{Footnote 8}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on night bombing operations in Great Britain under 'Bomber Command'. It carried out the Royal Canadian Air Forces' first bombing sorties on 12/13 June 1941. It also flew anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay while on loan to 'Coastal Command'.^{Footnote 9}

Coalition Operation – Libya

Members of the Squadron’s Vanguard crew, which had been deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella, were mission ready on 28 March 2011. During Op MOBILE squadron members provided overland Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance for the task force commander until October 2011.^{Footnote 10}

South-West Asia

At various points between 2001 and 2014, 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron deployed as part of allied maritime forces to the airspace above the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters.^{Footnote 11}