No. 445 Squadron

Badge: A wolverine rampant holding in its dexter paw a lightning flash

Motto: Strike as lightning

Authority: Queen Elizabeth II, April 1956

The wolverine, like the squadron,ventures forth to travel and hunt both day and night in all weather. It is indigenous to Canada and is ingenious, fearless, and of great strength. The flash of lightning is suggestive of the speed with which modern aircraft strike.

Formed as an All-Weather (Fighter) unit at North Bay, Ontario, on 1 April 1953,  the squadron  was the first unit to fly CF-100 aircraft on North American air defence. In November 1956 it joined No. 1 Air Division Europe, replacing No. 410 (Fighter) Squadron in No. 1 Wing at Marville, France. On the withdrawal of CF-100 aircraft from operational service, the squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1962.

Brief Chronology: Formed at North Bay, Ontario, 1 April 1953, Disbanded at Marville, France, 31 December 1962

Nickname:  Wolverine

Commanders

• W/C G.E. Nickerson*, DFC, CD 1 April 1953 – 9 Nov 53
• W/C R.F. Hatton, DFC, CD 3 Feb 54 – 1 Aug 56
• W/C E.G. Ireland, DFC, CD 2 Aug 56 – 20 Jun 58
• W/C G. Sutherland, CD 1 Jul 58 – 31 Jul 59.
• W/C  K.W. MacDonald, CD 1 Aug 59 30 Jun 60.
• W/C E.J. Trotter, DFC, DFM, CD 1 Jul 60 – Dec 62.

Higher Formations and Squadron Locations

Air Defence Command:

• North Bay, Ont. 1 Apr 53 – 31 Aug 53.
• Uplands, Ont. 1 Sep 53 – 31 Oct 56.
• En route overseas (Operation “Nimble Bat I”) 1 Nov 56.

No. 1 Air Division Europe:

No. 1 (Fighter) Wing,

• Marville, Fr. 2 Nov 56-31 Dec 62

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code SA)

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.3B (May 53 – Jun 54)

• 18133   18137   18140   18146   18147

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.4B (Jun 54 – Dec 62)

• 18333   18385   18403   18445

*Wing Commander Nickerson, George Edward , DFC, CD and Flying Officer Eyolfson, Kristjan Marteinn, DFC killed 10 November 1953 in the crash of CF-100 Canuck 18146