No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron (Auxiliary)

Badge: A standing grizzly bear totem of the North Pacific Coast Indians
Motto: We stand on guard
Authority: Queen Elizabeth II, November 1956

The grizzly bear holds a prominent place in Indian mythology and is believed to have supernatural powers.

Formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 15 April 1946, the squadron flew Mus­tang aircraft in a fighter and fighter bomber role until January 1957 when it was redesignated transport, but employed on navigation training, and re­equipped with Expeditor aircraft. In March 1958 the unit was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and received Otter aircraft. On 26 November 1961 it received a Squadron Standard for 25 years service as No. 112 and 402 Squadron. On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Air Reserve Squadron.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 402 (FB) Sqn (Aux), Win­nipeg, Man. 15 Apr 46 (1). Redesignated No. 402 (F) Sqn (Aux) 1 Mar 47. Redesignated No. 402 (FB) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 49. Titled No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” (FB) Sqn (Aux) 18 Sep 50. Redesignated No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” (F) Sqn (Aux) 10 Nov 53. Redesignated No. 402 “City of Win­nipeg” (T) Sqn (Aux) 25 Jan 57 (2). Redesignated No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 58. Integrated into CAF as No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Air Res Sqn 1 Feb 68.

Title: “City of Winnipeg”

Nickname: “Winnipeg Bears”

Commanders

• W/C R.J. Clement, DFC 2 Aug 46 – 21 Dec 48 ret.
• W/C L.M. Cameron, DFC 22 Dec 48 – 27 Feb 5O ret.
• W/C W.B. Breckon 28 Feb 50 – 7 Nov 51 ret.
• W/C D.W. Rathwell, DFC 8 Nov 51 – 7 Oct 53 ret.
• W/C J.M. Reid, DFC 8 Oct 53 – 14 May 56 ret.
• W/C D.M. Gray, CD 15 May 56 -17 Jul 60.
• W/C J.T. Patterson, CD 18 Jul 60 – 15 Oct 62.
• W/C D.R. Scott, CD 16 Oct 62 – 15 Oct 65.
• W/C J.A. Brown, CD 21 Oct 65 – 31 Jan 68.

Higher Formations and Squadron Location

North West Air Command,

Tactical Air Command (1 Aug 51),

Air Defence Command (16 Nov 53),

Training Command (25 Jan 57),

Air Transport Command (1 Apr 61):

No. 17 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Apr 61),

• Stevenson Field, Man. 15 Apr 46 – 31 Jan 68.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code 1947-51 AC, 1951-58 SV)

North American Harvard Mk.II (Jul 46 – Mar 57)

• 2552   2962   3070   3343

de Havilland Vampire Mk.III (Apr 48 – Nov 5O)

• 17023   17059 AC-P   17077   17081

North American Mustang Mk.IV (Nov 50 – Sep 56)

• 9563 AC-U   9564 AC-F   9569 AC-S   9570 AC-B   9571 AC-0

Beechcraft Expeditor Mk.3 (Aug 56 – Mar 64)

• 1508   1556   2328   2329

de Havilland Otter (May 60 – Jan 68)

• 9403   9405   9415   9416

Honours and Awards: Squadron Standard (26 November 1961)

(1) Was to have been formed as No. 402 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron (Auxillary) on 1 May 1946, but this order was amended.

(2) Although designated Transport, it became in fact a navigational training unit.