406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent a lynx salient affronté proper.

Significance

The lynx, an animal possessing keen sight at night, typifies the unit's original role as a night fighter squadron.

Motto

WE KILL BY NIGHT

Battle honours

The Second World War

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1944; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1944.

Lineage

• Authorized 5 April 1941 and incorporates the following units.

406 Squadron

• Authorized as '406 (Night Fighter) Squadron' 5 April 1941.^{Footnote 1}
• Redesignated '406 (Intruder) Squadron' 27 November 1944.^{Footnote 2}
• Disbanded 1 September 1945.^{Footnote 3}
• Reformed as '406 (Tactical Bomber) Squadron' 1 April 1947.^{Footnote 4}
• Redesignated '406 (Light Bomber) Squadron' 1 April 1949.^{Footnote 5}
• Redesignated '406 "City of Saskatoon" (Light Bomber) Squadron' 3 September 1952.^{Footnote 6}
• Redesignated '406 Squadron' 31 March 1958.^{Footnote 7}
• Disbanded 31 March 1964.^{Footnote 8}
• Reformed and amalgamated with '21 Helicopter Utility Squadron' as '406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron' 12 July 1972, see below.^{Footnote 9}

21 Squadron

• Authorized as 'Number 1 Helicopter Flight' 1 September 1951.^{Footnote 11}
• Redesignated '21 Helicopter Squadron' in November 1952.^{Footnote 12}
• Redesignated '21 Helicopter Utility Squadron' in April 1955.^{Footnote 13}
• Amalgamated with '406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron' 12 July 1972.^{Footnote 14}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on night air defence operations in Great Britain and intruder operations over Europe under 'Fighter Command'.^{Footnote 15}

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