RCAF Patch Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force 402 Squadron Escadrille

RCAF Patch 402 City of Winnipeg Air Reserve Squadron Escadrille Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota Time Machine Patch 1980s CC 129 Dakota CFB Winnipeg Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 95mm three and three quarter inches.

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Squadron History

Following its service in Europe with Spitfires for fighter bomber tasks the Squadron re-formed on 15 April 1946 as 402 Auxiliary Squadron equipped with Harvard aircraft. The Squadron converted to a fighter role on 1 March 1947 equipped with Vampire Mk IIIs carrying out interception and tactical training exercises and also took part in many air shows. The Squadron was redesignated 402 City of Winnipeg Auxiliary Squadron on 18 September 1950.

In 1951 402 Squadron converted to a fighter-bomber role with P-51 Mustang Mk IVs and in November 1954 saw the delivery of the first Silver Star Mk III T 33 Shooting Star in anticipation of conversion to this type however the Squadron retained the Mustang until its retirement in 1957.

In 1957 the Squadron re tasked from the fighter role to transport and became 402 City of Winnipeg Transport Squadron Auxiliary equipped with Beech CT-128 Twin Beech aircraft. In April 1960 the Squadron added DHC-3 Otter aircraft to its fleet which greatly increased the scope of Squadron operations. On 1 April 1961 the Squadron was transferred to Air Transport Command bringing additional responsibility for the provision of regular service flights from Winnipeg west to Saskatoon as well as to many other northern destinations and in 1964 two additional Otters were added to the Squadron inventory.

In 1968 the Squadron was renamed 402 City of Winnipeg Air Reserve Squadron and was based at CFB Winnipeg. In 1975 the Squadron traded their Otters for CC-129 Dakota in the light transport VIP Search and Rescue support for the Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team and Air Cadet Familiarization roles.

In the late 1980s the Squadron was redesignated 402 City of Winnipeg Transport and Training Squadron and converted to CC CT 142 Dash 8 Gonzo aircraft tasked to provide light transport and training for the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School CFANS. By 2009 training was adapted to include AESOPs Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators and ACSOs Air Combat Systems Officers and continues training personnel from Commonwealth NATO and other countries.

This patch dates from the 1980s.