No. 418 Squadron

Badge: An Eskimo on an ice-floe holding a harpoon
Motto: Piyautailili (Defend even unto death)
Authority: Queen Elizabeth II, June 1958

The Eskimo holding a harpoon to symbolize the function of the unit which stands on guard on Canada’s northern frontiers. The ice with its reflections is to symbolize the northland.

Formed at Edmonton, Alberta on 15 April 1946, the squadron flew Mitchell aircraft in a light bomber role until March 1958 when it was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and re-equipped with Expeditor and Otter aircraft. On 27 May 1967 it received a Squadron Standard for 25 years service. On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 418 “City of Edmonton” Air Reserve Squadron.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 418 (FB) Sqn (Aux), Ed­monton, Alta. 15 Apr 46. Redesignated No. 418 (LB) Sqn (Aux) 1 Jan 47. Redesignated No. 418 (TacB) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 47. Redesignated No. 418 (LB) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 49. Titled No. 418 “City of Edmonton” (LB) Sqn (Aux) 3 Sep 52. Redesignated No. 418 “City of Edmonton” Sqn (Aux) 31 Mar 58. Integrated into CAF as No. 418 “City of Ed­monton” Air Res Sqn 1 Feb 68.

Title: “City of Edmonton”

Commanders

• W/C D.R. Jacox, AFC 1 May 46 – 13 Mar 50.
• W/C A.W. Speed 14 Mar 50 – 17 Jun 52 ret.
• W/C A.D.R. Lowe, DFC, AFC 18 Jun 52 – 16 Sep 54.
• W/C J.M. Flint, CD 17 Sep 54 – 18 Sep 55.
• W/C J.K. Campbell, CD 19 Sep 55 – 30 Jan 59.
• W/C O.W. Cornish, CD 31 Jan 59 – 14 Oct 61 ret.
• W/C F.T. Guest, CD 15 Oct 61 – 31 Dec 62.
• W/C R. Klesko, CD 1 Jan 63 – 1 Oct 66.
• W/C S.E.W.J. Wood, CD 2 Oct 66 – 31 Jan 68.

Higher Formations and Squadron Locations

Tactical Air Command,

Training Command (1 Jan 59),

Air Transport Command (1 Apr 61):

No. 18 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Oct 50),

• Edmonton, Alta. 15 Apr 46 – 30 Sep 55.
• Namao, Alta. 1 Oct 55 – 31 Jan 68.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code 1947-51 AU, 1951-55 HO)

North American Harvard Mk.II (Oct 46 – Jan 53)

• 2610   3060   3100   3287

North American Mitchell Mk.II & III (Jan 47 – Mar 58) (1)

• HD313   FW278   KL143   5233

Beechcraft Expeditor Mk.3 (Apr 48 – Nov 66)

• 1498   1524   1547   2377

Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Aug 56 – May 58)

• 21907

de Havilland Otter (Oct 60 – Jan 68)

• 9404   9407   9408   9418

Honours and Awards: Squadron Standard (27 May 1967).

(1) During the Second World War, the squadron had used characters from the comic strip “Li’l Abner” to name and decorate its aircraft. In August 1950 permission was obtained from the creator, Al Capp, for the post-war squadron to do likewise.