430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent in front a sun in splendour Or a gyrfalcon's head erased Argent langued Gules.

Significance

The gyrfalcon, found in northern Canada, is noted for its exceptional and alert fighting ability. The sun in splendour is used to depict the squadron's original role of fighter reconnaissance, the bringing of light or information to the troops.

Motto

CELERITER CERTOQUE (Swiftly and surely)

Battle honours

The Second World War

FORTRESS EUROPE, 1943-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine.

South-West Asia

AFGHANISTAN

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No.430 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron' 1 January 1943.^{Footnote 1}
• Redesignated 'No.430 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron' 28 June 1943.^{Footnote 2}
• Disbanded 7 August 1945.^{Footnote 3}
• Reformed as '430 (Fighter) Squadron' 1 November 1951.^{Footnote 4}
• Disbanded 1 June 1963.^{Footnote 5}
• Reformed as '430 Strike/Attack Squadron' 30 September 1963.^{Footnote 6}
• Disbanded 1 May 1970.^{Footnote 7}
• Reformed as '430e Escadrille tactique d’hélicoptères' 1 January 1971.^{Footnote 8}
• Designated in English as '430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron' 26 June 1978.^{Footnote 9}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on air intelligence operations, including photographic reconnaissance, in Great Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands under 'Army Co-Operation Command', 'Fighter Command' and the '2nd Tactical Air Force'. It remained after the war for duty with the 'British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany)'.^{Footnote 10}

South-West Asia

430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Flew Tactical Helicopter sorties for the Canadian Task Forces in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014.^{Footnote 11}