440 Transport Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent in front of clouds Argent displayed a bat Gules.

Significance

The bat is suggestive of night flying and the use of radar, and the clouds conditions of poor visibility, both of which were especially applicable to the squadron’s role when reformed as an all-weather fighter squadron in the 1950s.

Motto

KA GANAWAITAK SAGUENAY (He who protects the Saguenay)

Battle honours

The Second World War

FORTRESS EUROPE, 1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Arnhem; Rhine; ALEUTIANS, 1942-1943.

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No.11 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron' 5 October 1932.^{Footnote 1}
• Redesignated 'No.111 (Coast Artillery Co-operation) Squadron' 15 November 1937.^{Footnote 2}
• Redesignated 'No.111 (Fighter) Squadron' 1 July 1940.^{Footnote 3}
• Disbanded 1 February 1941.^{Footnote 4}
• Reformed 3 November 1941.^{Footnote 5}
• Redesignated '440 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron' 8 February 1944.^{Footnote 6}
• Disbanded 7 September 1945.^{Footnote 7}
• Reformed as '440 All Weather (Fighter) Squadron' 1 October 1953.^{Footnote 8}
• Disbanded 31 December 1962.^{Footnote 9}
• Reformed as '440 Communications and Rescue Squadron' 8 July 1968,^{Footnote 10} from '111 Composite Unit' (authorized 1 January 1959).^{Footnote 11}
• Redesignated '440 Transport and Rescue Squadron' 1 October 1968.^{Footnote 12}
• Redesignated '440 Transport Squadron' 1 May 1995.^{Footnote 14}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on air defence operations in western Canada and Alaska under 'Western Air Command'. After its transfer overseas, the squadron served on fighter and light bomber operations in Great Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands with '2nd Tactical Air Force'. It remained in Germany after the war with 'British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany)'.^{Footnote 15}

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