Guam 1975

International Operation Name: N/A

International Operation Dates:  N/A

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name:  Asia

Location:  Guam

Canadian Operation Name: (Guam 1975)

Canadian Operation Dates: 1975/05/04 – 1975/05/07

Mission Mandate:

To fly from Guam, Vietnamese refugees boat people accepted for entry into Canada

Mission Notes:

With the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975, refugees by the thousands fled the country. The boat people, as they were known, began arriving in states along the south-east Asian coast. In response to requests from these Asian nations, western countries began a program to accept these refugees.

On 4 May, 437 Squadron received a warning that they might be tasked to fly Vietnamese refugees from Guam to Canada. That same evening, a Boeing with two crews aboard flew to Ottawa to pick up Immigration personnel and medical supplies, and then departed for Honolulu. On arrival in Honolulu, the first crew left the aircrew for a mandatory rest, while the second crew flew on to Guam. Here, the crew rested while the aircraft was refueled and the refugees embarked. The aircraft then flew to Montréal, via Honolulu, returning to Trenton less than 2 ½ days after departing.