Transport and rescue crews from Comox have received an international award for outstanding contribution to the preservation of life during a natural disaster.
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, based in London, England, has recognized the exceptional dedication of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 19 Wing Comox.
On Nov. 15, 2021, the team rescued more than 300 civilians stranded by landslides on Highway 7 near Agassiz in the Fraser Valley. The unstable landslides necessitated the immediate airlift of people trapped between the rising river and the cliff face, says the citation for the Barry Marsden Memorial Award.
Within two hours of the initial call for help, 442 Squadron had three Cormorant helicopters with full search-and-rescue crews on scene working on evacuations.
“Through inspiring initiative, expert co-ordination and stalwart airmanship, the Cormorant crews were able to land on Highway 7 in deteriorating weather and gale force winds despite the congestion and debris caused by the landslides,” says the citation.
The crew were able to rescue 311 people, 26 dogs and one cat. All crews returned to base within 11 hours, ready to serve again, having completed the largest mass evacuation in Cormorant helicopter history.
“The sense of duty displayed by all members of [the squadron] in anticipating what needed to be done was evident from the technicians supporting efforts to launch all available helicopters, the crew members stepping up to volunteer to fly, and the leadership displayed by the command team as the crisis unfolded,” says the citation. “These efforts quickly gained national attention and showed the resolve and dedication to Canada that 442 Squadron exemplifies on a daily basis.”
The landslides were the result of heavy rain and flooding during an atmospheric river weather event last November.
The historic rainfall caused flooding of 15,000 hectares of land, affecting more than 1,000 farms and 2.5 million livestock, washing out highway and railway infrastructure, and causing an estimated $285 million in damage.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
