RCAF Patch Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force 415 VP Squadron

RCAF Patch 415 VP Squadron Escadrille Maritime Patrol MP Royal Canadian Air Force Swordfish Patch 1970s CP 107 Argus CFB Summerside Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 78mm three inches diameter.

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415 Squadron Swordfish was activated on 1 June 1961 at RCAF Station Summerside equipped with CP 107 Argus maritime reconnaissance aircraft as the fourth and last long range anti submarine maritime patrol squadron under Maritime Air Command. As with the other maritime patrol squadrons the Squadron unofficially adopted the US Naval numbering prefix VP using VP 415. In 1964 the Squadron assumed Search and Rescue SAR duties for Maritime Air Command and in the early 70s Fisheries and Pollution missions were added to the Squadrons tasking. Northern Patrols became more frequent to demonstrate Canadian sovereignty and provide surveillance in the north. The Squadron undertook Operation Morning Light commencing 24 January 1978 the search for debris of a Soviet nuclear powered satellite scattered over a wide area of the Northwest Territories.

On 1 July 1981 the squadron relocated to CFB Greenwood and the CP 107 Argus was replaced with the Canadianized P 3C Orion designated CP 140 Aurora. The Squadron has added the CP 140 Arcturus to its fleet which do not include the Auroras ASW and tactical equipment and are used for pilot training but with the capability of fulfilling aerial surveillance and search and rescue roles. As part of Air Commands intent to reestablish a visible and united Air Force the prefix VP was removed in 1986 and the Squadron was designated 415 Maritime Patrol MP Squadron.

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 as part of Operation Friction 415 MP Squadron was tasked to support the Canadian Naval Task Group sent to enforce UN resolutions during its work up phase and its transit between Halifax and the Mediterranean Sea. The Aurora demonstrated the self defence capability of the Canadian Task Group and provided surface surveillance. The Squadron celebrated its 50th Anniversary on 20 August 1991. In 1993 the Air Force reestablished the wing structure and CFB Greenwood became 14 Wing CFB Greenwood. 415 MP Squadron deployed crews to Sigonella Air Base Italy in 1993 as part of Op Sharp Guard to carry out surveillance patrols in the Adriatic in support of the UNs arms embargo of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. The Squadron also participated in Op Assistance providing humanitarian aid to the people of Manitoba during the great flood of 1997.

 415 MP Squadron participated in Op Apollo deploying one Aurora crew on rotation to the Arabian Sea in support of the US led Campaign Against Terrorism following the attacks on 11 September 2001 continuing until mid 2003 the Detachment was stood down with the mission objectives having been met.

415 MP Squadron was inactivated on 29 July 2005 on its amalgamation with 405 MP Squadron.

This patch dates from the 1970s.