On Thursday, January 28, 2021, the crew of a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton (CFB Trenton) conducted multiple flypasts of hospitals in the local area to show 8 Wing’s continued support for the communities’ frontline health care workers.
Essential workers, such as frontline healthcare workers, are the heroes of this pandemic. They have faced the challenge head on, giving everything they have to save lives and keep the virus in check.
The flypasts locations included: Trenton Memorial Hospital, Belleville General Hospital, Peterborough Emergency Health Centre, Northumberland Hills Hospital, and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. The flypasts consisted of several passes with the door open and a Canadian flag being held by one of the crew members.
The date for the flypasts was chosen to coincide with Bell Let’s Talk Day, which aims to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness and support mental health initiatives around the country by talking, texting, and tweeting about mental health. The theme for this year’s campaign is “When it comes to mental health – now more than ever – every action counts”.
Quotes
“Throughout this pandemic, health care workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities have been working around the clock to save lives. They have selflessly put the needs of others ahead of their own, which has resulted in significant physical and mental stresses. These flypasts are a simple way for the members of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all that the health care workers have done to keep our communities safe.”
– Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Paul Landry, Commanding Officer 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron
Quick Facts
· 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon and the CC-130H Hercules. The crews are launched in the event of air and maritime SAR distresses and also in support of humanitarian cases.
· This flight is part of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron’s training program, which ensures that their crews are ready to support Canadians in their time of need.
· 424 Squadron and 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, operating from 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba, provide primary search and rescue response for the Trenton Search and Rescue Region (SRR), the largest in Canada. The Trenton SRR extends from Quebec to the British Columbia/Alberta border, and from the Canada/United States border to the North Pole.
· On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of our Facebook frame or Snapchat filter.
· Monday, January 25, 2021 marked one year since the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Canada. Since then health care workers have been doing everything they can to save lives and keep the virus at bay.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
