407 Long Range Patrol Squadron (abbreviated 407 LRP Sqn, formerly 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron) is a long range and maritime patrol squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is located at 19 Wing Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and operates the CP-140 Aurora.
The squadron's wartime history can be divided into two periods. From September 1941 to January 1943, the squadron operated as a "strike" squadron attacking enemy shipping with the Lockheed Hudson. It was as a strike squadron that it won its reputation and its nickname "The Demon Squadron". On 29 January 1943 it was re-designated as 407 General Reconnaissance Squadron, and for the remainder of the war it protected friendly shipping from the U-boat threat operating the Vickers Wellington.
The squadron was disbanded on 4 June 1945 following the end of the Second World War. On 1 July 1952 the squadron was reactivated at RCAF Station Comox as 407 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Avro Lancaster. On 17 July 1956 it was redesignated as a Maritime Patrol Squadron.
Currently, 407 Squadron flies the Lockheed CP-140 Aurora on coastal patrol, anti-submarine and long range patrol duties. It used these aircraft to conduct operations in the Arabian Sea after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.
Squadron commanding officers
Wing Commander H.M. Styles: May 1941 to Jan 1942
Wing Commander A.C. Brown: Jan 1942 - Sep 1942
Wing Commander C.F. King: Sep 1942 - Nov 1942
Squadron Leader D.D. Weightman: Nov 1942 - Nov 1942
Wing Commander J.C. Archer: Nov 1942 - Sep 1943
Wing Commander D.G. Pickard: Sep 1943 - Nov 1943
Wing Commander R.A. Ashman: Nov 1943 - Nov 1944
Wing Commander K.C. Wilson: Nov 1944 - Jun 1945
POST WAR COMMANDERS
Wing Commander C.W. McNeil: Jul 1952 - Sep 1954
Wing Commander C. McLeod: Sep 1954 - Jul 1955
Wing Commander W.D. Foster: Jul 1955 - May 1959
Wing Commander J.C. McCarthy: May 1959 - Jul 1962
Wing Commander L.H. Croft: Jul 1962 - Jun 1964
Wing Commander K.O. Moore: Jun 1964 - Dec 1965
Wing Commander H.B. Smale: Dec 1965 - Aug 1968
Lieutenant-Colonel J.S. Middleton: Aug 1968 - Jul 1971
Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Szczerbaniwicz: Jul 1999 - Feb 2002
Lieutenant-Colonel Fred Bigelow: Feb 2002 – Jul 2004
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Ormsby: Jul 2004 – Aug 2006
Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Hogan: Aug 2006 – Aug 2008
Lieutenant-Colonel Mario Leblanc: Aug 2008 – Aug 2010
Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Robinson: Aug 2010 – Aug 2012
Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Kenny: Aug 2012 – Aug 2014
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew McCorquodale: Aug 2014 - May 2016
Major Kreager Graham: May 2016 - Aug 2016
Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Philippe Gagnon: Aug 2016 - Aug 2018
Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Castonguay: Aug 2018 – Aug 2020
Lieutenant-Colonel Fil Bohac: Aug 2020 – Aug 2022
Lieutenant-Colonel Don Jamont: Aug 2022 – Present
References
Citations
^Government of Canada, National Defence (9 March 2005). "407 Maritime Patrol Squadron". www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
^Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada. "Honours & Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Armed Forces 2016 10th Edition" (PDF). publications.gc.ca. p. 46. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
Bibliography
407 Squadron uniform patch, probably from the 60s.
Abbott, Kim (1987). Gathering of demons : 407 Demon Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, during its first year of operations, between May 8, 1941, and June 30, 1942, when it was engaged on low level shipping attacks along the coasts of occupied Europe. Perth, Ontario: Inkerman House. ISBN 096926710X.
LCOL Montgomery, B.T., ed. (1975). The Demon Squadron, 407 Squadron in War and Peace. CFB Comox, British Columbia: E.W. Binkle Ltd. ASIN B000PB087O.
Canadian Department of National Defence - Honours & Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Armed Forces 10th Edition - 2016. Accessed 14 March 2019