No. 409 Squadron

Badge: In front of a cloak a crossbow
Motto: Media nox meridies noster (Midnight is our noon)
Authority: King George VI, March 1944

The crossbow in front of a dark cloak indicates the unit’s functions as a night fighter squadron.

Formed as an All-Weather (Fighter) unit at Comox, British Columbia on 1 November 1954, 1 the squadron flew CF-100 and CF-101 aircraft on North American (West Coast) air defense duty, and on 1 February 1968 was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces.

Brief Chronology: Formed at Comox, B.C. 1 Nov 54. Inte­grated into CAF 1 Feb 68.

Nickname: “Nighthawk”

Commanders

• S/L F.E. Haley, CD 1 Nov 54 – 4 Mar 56.
• W/C T.J. Evans, CD 5 Mar 62 – 21 Jul 58.
• W/C H.E. Bridges, DFC, CD 22 Jul 58 – 11 Aug 61.
• W/C E.G. Ireland, DFC, CD 12 Aug 61 – 1 Jul 62.
• W/C G. Inglis, CD 10 Oct 62 – 21 Oct 65.
• W/C W.H. Vincent, CD 22 Oct 65 – 1 Aug 67.
• W/C G.W. Patterson, CD 2 Aug 67 – 31 Jan 68.

Higher Formations and Squadron Locations

North American Air Defence Command (12 Sep 57),

RCAF Air Defence Command:

• Comox, B.C. 1 Nov 54 – 31 Jan 68.
• Namao, Alta (conversion to DF-101 under No. 425 AW(F) Sqn) 5 Feb 13 Mar 62.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code LP)

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.4A (Feb – Jun 55)

• 18247   18253   18269   18402

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.4A (May 55 – Sep 57)

• 18363   18370   18399   18402

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.5 (Feb 57 – Mar 62)

• 18487   18580   18608   18631

McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo (Mar 62 – Feb 68)

(1) An order had been issued on 1 January 1947 for the formation of a No. 409 (Fighter) Squadron (Auxiliary) at Victoria, British Columbia, but cancelled shortly afterwards.