403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron 403 " City of Calgary " ( Helicopter ) Operational Training Squadron ( 403 Sqn ) is a squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force located at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown . It is equipped with CH - 146 Griffon s 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 originally 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 . History . World War II . No . 403 ( Fighter ) Squadron , Royal Canadian Air Force ( RCAF ) , was formed at RAF Station Baginton ( now Coventry Airport ) , Warwickshire , England , on 1 March 1941 . The first squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force ( RCAF ) formed overseas under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan ( BCATP ) , it was identified by the letters KH . Initially equipped with the Curtiss Tomahawk I , they were replaced with the Supermarine Spitfire after only 29 operational sorties . Through continual replacement and updating , the squadron flew various models , Mk I through Mk XVI , of this very popular aircraft . The squadron served in RAF Fighter Command and Second Tactical Air Force for over four years . By May 1945 , the squadron had a record of 123 enemy aircraft destroyed , with a share in seven more , 10 probably destroyed , and 72 damaged with a share in one more . An equally impressive number of ground targets had been destroyed or damaged including 30 tanks , 50 locomotives , and nearly 100 other vehicles . Sixteen Distinguished Flying Crosses ( DFC ) , four DFC with Bar , and one Military Medal were awarded to members of the Squadron , in addition to a number of Mentions in Despatch . The " Wolf " Squadron and many other units paid a high price in lives and aircraft . Eighty - five aircraft were destroyed . 76 pilots were reported missing ; of these , four were killed , 39 presumed dead , 21 captured , nine successfully evaded capture , and three ( text missing from Wikipedia article ) . Battle honours . The squadron has been awarded seven battle honours for its wartime service : Post War period . Early in 1948 , ex - Air Force officers in Calgary pressed for the formation of an Auxiliary Squadron in the city . An active campaign was undertaken and , in June 1948 , the reformation , effective 15 October 1948 , of 403 Auxiliary Squadron with a Fighter - Bomber designation was announced . Its primary role would be close support to the Army . Early pilots were highly experienced veterans with operational experience on a variety of aircraft . Although initially equipped with the Harvard MK II , the squadron received the first of its North American P - 51D Mustang s in the latter part of 1950 . It would remain in service until 1958 when the type was retired from RCAF service . F / O Lynn Garrison was the last 403 pilot to fly the Mustang . A major milestone occurred in January 1952 , when the squadron enlisted its first female officer , P / O V . A . Harding . Another one occurred , in September 1952 , when " City of Calgary " was incorporated into the squadron ' s title . In November 1953 , the squadron ' s title was changed to " Fighter " Squadron but it was not until October 1955 that the squadron would receive its first jet , the T - 33 Silver Star . In June 1956 , the squadron was informed that its role was to change and that it would be re - equipped with the C - 45 Expediter and the DHC - 3 Otter . In addition , they would move to Air Transport ; as a result , yet another first for the squadron , the addition of the Navigator . The squadron transferred to Training Command , in December 1956 , with the role of training a reserve of transport aircrew for the Auxiliary and Regular Forces . In February 1958 , with yet another reorganisation , the squadron became a general Transport and Rescue Squadron responsible for operations in support of military and civilian requirements . During the summer of 1961 , the squadron was advised that consideration was being given to equipping the Auxiliary units with helicopters . Nothing came of it but , for the squadron , it was a sign of things to come . Activated as Operational Training Squadron . In January 1968 , the squadron was activated as 403 ( Helicopter ) Operational Training Squadron ( Hel ) OTS at Canadian Forces Base ( CFB ) Petawawa and was equipped with 10 CUH - 1H helicopters . Once again , it was formed specifically to support the Land Forces . In July 1972 , the squadron was given the role of training of aircrew and technical personnel for the Tactical Helicopter and Rescue Squadrons . To carry out its new role , the squadron joined 422 Squadron at CFB Gagetown and was equipped with 11 CH - 135 Twin Huey and 10 CH - 136 Kiowa helicopters . In August 1980 , the squadron gained aircrew and support personnel from the disbandment of 422 Squadron . August 1980 saw an Air Ground Operations School formed to provide advance training for future Flight Commanders and Operations Officers . Renamed Aviation Tactics Flight in June 1995 , the Flight continues to provide this training , as well as , aviation support to the Combat Training Centre , 1 Wing and the Air Force . As a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit , the squadron conducted two rotations of the Multi - National Force and Observers . Renewing Air Reserve Relationship . In July 1990 , the squadron found itself in a familiar position when it 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 . August 1992 saw the Land Aviation Test and Evaluation Flight ( LATEF ) 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 .