Campney Says 445 Squadron All-Canadian In Every Sense
"The CF-100 planes flown by 445 Squadron were designed in Canada and were made in Canada, Defence Minister Ralph Campney told the assembled servicemen and their families. The Orenda engines which power the planes, were likewise developed in Canada and were manufactured in Canada. The aircrew who fly them and the groundcrew who service them are Canadians who were trained in Canada. The squadron is therefore 100 per cent Canadian throughout - men and equipment alike. And so we are honoured and we are proud that the NATO military authorities - impressed with the performance record of this Canadian plane in the hands of Canadians - have tasked us to provide four operational squadrons of CF-100s to strengthen the NATO defensive shield in Europe".
"It was in 1951 that the first Canadian jet fighter squadron was despatched overseas as part of our commitment to NATO defence forces. During the intervening five years we have increased our original contribution to the joint defence effort overseas to twelve squadrons, a supply base and an Air Division Headquarters, continued Mr. Campney. And now we have been asked bv NATO to strengthen the make up of our Air Division in Europe by substituting for four of the Sabre jet day fighter squadrons four Squadrons of CF-100 all-weather fighters, capable of combat by night as well as by day and regardless of weather conditions."
Making History Now
"You are the first of the four squadrons to go. You were in fact the first CF-100 squadron to be formed. You made history then and you are making history now. On arrival in Europe, he continued, you will become a part of the Canadian Air Division. As such you will be a unit, with French and United States colleagues, in the 4th Allied Tactical Air Force, which constitutes a most importan component of the Allied Forces in Central Europe. "You will share in the important task of providing a defensive shield for the free world and thus will be helping significantly in the prevention of war. You will be on Canada's front line of defence. You go in time of peace and you will help maintain the peace. That is your primary purpose."
"Overseas you will be stationed in a friendly country, among a friendly people. You will have the happy opportunity of forming new associations, and of making new friends. You will, I am confident, represent Canada in the same creditable fashion as your predecessors have done. You go abroad as a team. The object of all your training is to be able to find, engage, and defeat an enemy under difficult conditions and at great speed. That requires the closest cooperation by aircrew and ground crew alike. In a fighter squadron of present day high speed jet aircraft the right action must become by practice not only intuitive but instantaneous."
Each Plays Critical Part
"Each individual of your squadron plays a critical part in the successful operation of the whole. Fighters must not only be well led and well directed, they must be at all times supported by a ground crew on top of their work and with a high sense of responsibility for keeping the aircraft in the air and functioning at 100 percent efficiency. This is what makes a fighter squadron one of the greatest demonstrations of teamwork to be found in any operation, civil or military. "Your appearance here today clearly indicates your awareness of that fact. I should like to congratulate the officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers and men on the fine achievements of your squadron since its formation. Your showing reflects hard work, good training and a fine work, good training and a fine spirit."
"And now the time has come to say "goodbye." I wish you all, on on behalf of the people of Canada as well as on my own behalf, a good and safe trip across to Europe and continued success to each of you and to the squadron while you are away. We hope that you - and your wives and children, who will join on there - will enjoy your new home at Marville, France, where you will be stationed. Godspeed and good luck to you all."
Updated: January 7, 2004