Final operational flight for the Royal Canadian Air Force CC-115 Buffalo.

The final operational flight for theRoyal Canadian Air Force CC-115 Buffalo aircraft was flown on January 15 by 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based out of 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia.  As part of this last flight, the 19 Wing crew flew a Search and Rescue (SAR) patrol over Canada’s western-most coast and the Pacific Ocean.

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The CC-115 Buffalo plays a critical role in supporting life-saving search and rescue missions. Its agility and all-weather capabilities are well suited for the rough and mountainous terrain on Canada’s West Coast and in northern operations (Picture source: RCAF)

The ‘Buff’, a utility transport aircraft, has the ability to take off and land on the most rugged strips as short as a soccer field. It has played a critical role in supporting life-saving search and rescue missions. Able to parachute SAR technicians and drop rescue supplies and equipment, such as emergency food and water kits, sea rescue kits, pumps, and illumination flares, its agility and all-weather capabilities are well suited for the rough and mountainous terrain on Canada’s West Coast and in northern operations.

The Buffalo will be forever linked with Canada’s national Peacekeeping Day on August 9. The day was chosen to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of Canadian peacekeepers because, on that day in 1974, a Canadian Buffalo aircraft serving on United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) II was shot down, with the loss of all nine lives.

After almost 55 years of service, Canada is saying goodbye to its venerable CC–115 Buffalo (Picture source: RCAF)

Canada’s new search and rescue CC-295 fleet will be composed of modern, proven aircraft that will allow the RCAF to conduct more effective search and rescue missions in all weather conditions, including reduced visibility, at long range.

The RCAF will operate the new fixed-wing fleet from 19 Wing Comox, 17 Wing Winnipeg, 8 Wing Trenton, and 14 Wing Greenwood; the same locations currently providing search and rescue services across the country. RCAF search and rescue aircraft and personnel are located where they can effectively respond to search and rescue incidents in all regions of Canada, considering factors such as the historical distribution of incidents, aircraft performance, and the co-location of forces with supporting infrastructure.

Airbus C295 Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft of Canadian Air Force (Picture source Airbus)