436 Squadron makes historic flight

By Amanda Monahan

CFB Trenton has made history.

8 Wing Trenton’s 436 Squadron is the first RCAF squadron to fly the CC130J Hercules around the world.

On November 17, after 10 years of service, the CC130J left Kandahar, Afghanistan, and flew to India for a remembrance ceremony at the Delhi War Cemetery and than continued their journey back home.

Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Keiver Commanding Officer 436 Squadron called this a monumental moment.

“The departure from Kandahar of the last remaining CC130 Hercules aircraft after 10 years of continuous service in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan in a monumental milestone in Canadian Air mobility Operations as it marks the close-out of the longest continuous Tactical Airlift operation in RCAF history,” he said in a news release.

Crew and passengers of the Hercules will be stopping on Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines to meet with their respective air forces.

“The return itinerary offers the opportunity for the Royal Canadian Air Force, as represented by 436 Squadron, to foster harmonious relations with the countries of Southeast Asia in a meaningful and constructive manner that will further strengthen both Air Force to Air Force bonds as well as the ties between Canada and the respective nations,” he said.

The team is expected to arrive back in Trenton on November 30.