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55 years of service: Final operational flight of the iconic CC-115 Buffalo aircraft

Iconic aircraft's last flight

After 55 years of service, the final operational flight for the CC-115 Buffalo aircraft took place Friday.

The final flight by 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based out of 19 Wing Comox, was not a unique one. Like countless times over past decades, the flight involved airborne search and rescue standby training, involving parachute jumps and parachuting of emergency equipment as the aircraft visited locations around Vancouver Island.

The CC-115 entered service in 1967 for the Royal Canadian Air Force since. It initially served as a multi-purpose transportation aircraft and was flown on multiple United Nations missions overseas.

On August 9, 1974, a CC115 Buffalo (CC1155461) was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles while on United Nations duty supporting Peacekeepers in the Golan Heights. All nine CAF members on board were killed, making it the largest single loss of lives in Canadian peacekeeping history.

“In the Royal Canadian Air Force, we have an incredible respect and strong sense of pride for the aircrew, maintenance and support personnel who have dutifully served alongside the CC-115 Buffalo aircraft over the past 55 years,” said Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“These amazing teams, and the 'Buff' itself, are known to have operated in many challenging operational environments. Their stories and commitment to operational excellence will be etched into storybooks, and in bidding farewell to the 'Buff,' we will always remember those brave members lost in 1974.”

The aircraft would later be converted into a search and rescue aircraft, exclusively serving in the West Coast region.

The Government of Canada is acquiring a fleet of 16 CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft to replace both the CC-115 Buffalo and CC-130H Hercules aircraft in the fixed-wing search and rescue role.

Three CC-115 Buffalo aircraft will be retained by the Department of National Defence as historical artifacts. The remaining aircraft have been or will be transferred to museums or used as training aids.



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