It’s all about family at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron

Family members learning the intricacies and details of the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter on display.

Paul Dagonese, 
Lookout Staff 

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443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron opened its hangers to family and friends for its annual Family Day event, offering a rare glimpse into the life of the Royal Canadian Air Force in North Saanich on Sept. 23.

Entering the gate and seeing the CH124A Sea King Helicopter with its hull emblazoned with Navy livery, you can’t help but be reminded of 443 Squadron’s ties to the Royal Canadian Navy.

With the accented bright red, sharp blue and bright orange colours contrasting against its lead-gray body, you know you are in for something special.

But thoughts of rotor blades, and vistas of the Pacific from high above get put on hold for guests and family members — if but only for a moment. Guests make their way past the Commissionaires’ security check, leading themselves down the hallway to Hanger 12 where the festivities were being held.

As the giant yellow, blue, and red bouncy castle obstacle course captured the attention of excited kids, the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone stationed at the southeast corner of the hanger captured the interests of all. Corporal (Cpl) Thomas Desbiens, an Aviation Systems Technician and Cpl Harveer Grewal, an Avionics Systems Technician were tasked with explaining the job of the Cyclone to families. Terms like ‘pings’, ‘thermal climbs’, ‘precision’, and ‘tactical configurations’ were being explained to all who gathered to learn more.

Aviator Sam Aryavong, an Avionics Technician, arrived with his family and, despite being new to the squadron, was excited to share his abundance of knowledge on the CH-148. He ran his hands along the hull, pointed and explained to his family many of the intricate machine’s working parts. Without hesitation, and with confidence, he removed the iconic bright orange cover over the sensor camera and explained its task for identifying items and objects in many circumstances, night or day.

When asked what he does, Sam says, “Avionics Systems: working and fixing electronics, such as radios, navigational devices, and lights.” He explains that ‘anything with a wire attached to it’ he knows about and has worked with during his three years as an Avionics Tech. Sam started as an Air Cadet and when asked what got him interested in the military, he says his family, specifically his dad, who was a Submariner.

As parents continued to watch and wait for the kids to let out some steam on the bouncy castle, they couldn’t help but overhear Master Corporal (MCpl) Malcolm Martin, an Air Weapons Systems Technician describe the weapons and tools on display. The Expandable Mobile SSW Training Targets (EMATT), and the Signal Underwater Sounder (SUS), which explodes out at sea and listens for feedback for up to four hours were showcased and explanations given on how these are specifically used by the CH-148 to search for enemy submarines. He discussed the explosives, reassuring guests that they  “will not go boom” while live torpedoes, War Shot, or live exercise training torpedoes, are his ‘bread & butter’.

When asked how he ended up at 443 Squadron, MCpl Martin says it’s a family thing. His dad, who served a career in the Canadian Armed Forces for 43 years —7 years in the Navy, and 36 in the Air Force — shared 443 Squadron as his very first posting. MCpl Martin was posted in 2018, following those footsteps. In the late 80’s, 443 Squadron relocated from Shearwater, N.S. where his father was originally posted, to North Saanich B.C., where he started his own military career and serves today.

As MCpl Duncan Taylor was seen sweeping in and out of Hanger 12, tasked with making 443’s Family Day go off smooth and without a hitch, family members were treated with rides in one of two Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones in operation that day.

The staff lunchroom was converted into a flight waiting area, flight crew members helped guests don their floatation vest, goggles, and ear protection, and guests were explained the dos and don’ts for safety. When the helicopter arrived, crew members quickly gathered those scheduled to take flight and escorted them like a swarm of bees as a single unit across the tarmac. They boarded the helicopter and buckled in. Once everyone was secured, they taxied along, reached the launch site, and lifted slowly and gradually up.

Within minutes, they reached an approximate altitude of 500 ft. Steadily they cruised, hugged along the Eastern Pacific coast of the Island, paralleled mountain edges, cut west across the Island, swerved elegantly around and up the north along the channel, then gradually came back full circle, descending, landing, and taxiing back to Hanger 12.

As the day came to a close, families left with a new understanding and appreciation of the contributions 443 Squadron provides to the Canadian Armed Forces. With smiles and memories to cherish, 443 Squadron’s Family Day served as a meaningful reminder of the support and camaraderie that fuels the squadron’s success, both on the ground, at home, and in the air. 

Corporal Harveer Grewal and Cpl Thomas Desbiens posing proudly with the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter.