438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
438 "City of Montreal" Tactical Helicopter Squadron (French: 438e Escadron tactique d'hélicoptères "Ville de Montréal") is a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron operates the Bell CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopter from the Hartland de Montarville Molson Hangar of CFB St. Hubert in Quebec, Canada. Its tasks include armed and unarmed tactical utility transport, training aircrew personnel in basic and advanced aviation tactics, technical training of groundcrew personnel and flight engineers and the periodic maintenance of CH-146 fleet aircraft. They also include as residual capabilities search and rescue, reconnaissance and support to federal, provincial and local law enforcement agencies. A "total force" unit composed of members of the Regular Force, and both full time and part time reservists, the squadron is part of 1 Wing at CFB Kingston Ontario.
| 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1934–present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Role | Tactical helicopter |
| Part of | 1 Wing |
| Home station | CFB St. Hubert |
| Nickname(s) | Wildcats |
| Motto(s) | Going down |
| Anniversaries | September 1, 1934 |
| Battle honours |
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| Website | www |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | The head of a wildcat affronte |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | Bell CH-146 Griffon |
The motto "Going Down" was adopted during the Second World War when operating Hawker Typhoon fighter bombers over occupied Europe. This was the flight leader's instruction to begin diving attacks with bombs, cannons or both.
The unit badge is the wildcat and described in heraldic terms as: "d'Argent, the head of a wildcat affront Gules, langued Azure". The wildcat was chosen as the emblem as it represents the squadron's nickname.