By Tyler Sutherland
Manitobans may notice a CC-130 Hercules aircraft in the skies more often this summer.
A scheduling change in the search and rescue 435 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron will have the aircraft more visible. Since late May, 435 Squadron has adopted a 30-minute response posture from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Previously, training took place during weekday business hours.
“What this means specifically for Manitobans is that residents in areas where we conduct our training, like Lake Winnipeg, may notice Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules aircraft flying low or dropping flares at night,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Lamarche, Commanding Officer of 435 Squadron.
“This shift in our heightened response time to cover the weekends will allow us to respond quickly during periods when Canadians are statistically more likely to be outdoors and in potential distress.”
One 17 Wing Winnipeg aircraft is permanently assigned to search and rescue stand-by duty and is equipped to aid people, aircraft or vessels in distress 24/7.
