406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron

The official lineage of the 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron.

Badge

Squadron standard

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
Note

'21 Helicopter Utility Squadron' has no lineal connection with '21 Squadron' of 1937. See 121 Squadron.

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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