Training participants getting ready for exercises in Lethbridge, June 7, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Royal Canadian Air Force holding training exercises in Lethbridge

Jun 7, 2023 | 4:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Training sessions for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Army and Navy are being held in Lethbridge this week.

Air crew and representatives from all three branches are in the city for CHINTHEX, the 435 Squadron’s annual Search and Rescue exercise. The squadron, which is based out of Winnipeg, holds the annual exercise in different cities and towns across the country, with last year’s sessions having taken place Grande Prairie.

The sessions include participants from various Royal Canadian Air Force agencies, including members from 17 Wing Winnipeg and 19 Wing Comox. In addition, Lethbridge Ground Search and Rescue teams, members of the Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association, and the HMCS Tecumseh, which is the Naval Reserve Division in Calgary, will also be taking part in the training exercises.

Aircraft held at the Vimy Ridge Armoury in Lethbridge for the sessions include a Canadian Forces CC-130H, an American CC-130 plane, and a CH-149 Cormorant from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.

Canadian Forces CC-130H on the tarmac at the Lethbridge Airport, June 7, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

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Capt. Jules Pankoski, the organizer for CHINTHEX, said Lethbridge made for a good location due to its’ varied environments.

He explained, “Being able to operate out of Lethbridge, we’re only a stone’s throw away from the Foothills and the Rocky Mountains, so it gives us some diverse terrain that we could work in that we could be expected to be deployed to work on an operational call-out, but it’s a little more difficult for us to train on a regular training day out of Winnipeg.”

On June 7, 2023, the teams ran a training simulation, acting as if an aircraft flying into Cranbrook had an electrical issue. One aircraft from Lethbridge flew out to assist and escort the plane, while Search and Rescue technicians (SAR Techs) ejected from the plane and set up on the ground to provide medical aid.

Members of the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron also held a simulated search and rescue scenario at Beaver Mines Lake near the Pincher Creek area on June 6, 2023.

Warrant Officer Eric Beaudoin, SAR Tech leader with the 435 Squadron, said the training exercises are very important to make sure they are ready for any situation at any time or place.

He said, “The mission may come any day or any night or weekend. We have crews on alert constantly, and one of the importances of the exercise is really the interaction with the agency that, outside of the military, the daily routine of the military, we wouldn’t really train with.”

Beaudoin added, “The nature of the size of Canada, it truly means you may be jumping in northern Manitoba or western Alberta, and it may not be a military asset that’s going to come and recover you.”

The training sessions will run until Monday, June 12, 2023.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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