page_title: 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron
section_title: Renewing Air Reserve relationship
hierarchical_section_title: 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron / History / Renewing Air Reserve relationship
caption_attribution_description: English: 403 Squadron cold weather survival practice at -40 Fahrenheit
context_page_description: 403 "City of Calgary" Operational Training Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force located at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. It is equipped with CH-146 Griffons and provides operational aircrew training to the crews who will fly the helicopter. The squadron also conducts operational test and evaluation, develops aviation tactics and carries out operations in support of the 1 Wing mission. It also supports the local Army requirements of the Combat Training Centre. It was founded as No. 403 Squadron RCAF.
  A pilot will spend three months at Gagetown learning to fly the Griffon before being posted to one of 1 Wing's five operational squadrons. While at Gagetown, pilots learn advanced aircraft handling, including slinging and hoisting, tactical formation, flying and low-level tactical flying.
context_section_description: In July 1990, the squadron renewed its post-war relationship with the Air Reserves. At that time the Combat Training Centre (CTC) Gagetown Detachment of the CFB Chatham Air Reserve Augmentation Flight (ARAF) took up residence in the squadron. The flight became an integral part of the Squadron in 1996.
  Renamed the Air Reserve Section in 1998, the squadron's reservists are incorporated into and provide support to all flights.
  In August 1992 the Land Aviation Test and Evaluation Flight (LATEF) was formed to conduct, on behalf of 10 Tactical Air Group (10 TAG), operational and tactical testing of land aviation helicopter systems and support equipment, and to propose operational and tactical doctrine where applicable. It quickly evolved into a valuable asset and has been integrally involved in the testing and improvement of CH-146 Griffon systems.
  The Kiowa and Twin Huey were phased out of the squadron by the end of 1994 and early 1995 respectively and were replaced by the CH-146 Griffon in March 1995.
  The squadron became the first operational CH-146 unit in 10 TAG in October 1995.
  In October 1996, a full motion flight simulator was added to the squadron's establishment.
caption: 403 RCAF Squadron Otter, Burnt Stick Lake, Alberta 1963
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