Picture of the day

[Grizzly Adams]

The CC-115 Buffalo will be retired at the end of the month from RCAF service (from 442 Sqn in Comox.)

The one in the photo, serial 115462, will be offered for sale together with 11465. Serial 115452 is going to CFB Borden for preservation.

It seems, in the Canadian military, it takes longer to get these things into service than they actually work for us.

Grizz

 

[Canadian Sig]

I had no idea we operated some of those. What’s the story there?

The only available lift for us at the time was the Griffin and it was deemed to not have sufficient power, lift, or room (especially at Afghanistans altitude) to fit CANSOF's needs. So 4 airframe were leased from the Ukraine and crewed and .aintained entirely by CANSOF crews out of 427 SOASS.

I had some amazing rides on them over there. I was 40 on my last tour so I vividly recall the Russians leaving Afghanistan and flying into operations in Afghanistan on a "Russian" bird was surely at first.

 

[Canadian Sig]

I have a ton more pics from that tour/time but Imgur mobile doesn't seem to like the forum or the other way around

 

[CV32]

I have a ton more pics from that tour/time but Imgur mobile doesn't seem to like the forum or the other way around

Try Postimage.

 

[Canadian Sig]

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Just another day patrolling Zangabad Afghanistan 2011

 

[Canadian Sig]

This is Bobby Eldridge and his MWD Richa. Both were American contractors that were hired to protect our team and assist in IED hunting. On my 41st Birthday Bobby triggered a VOIED and suffered a bilateral traumatic amputation. Richa and 2 other members of the team were wounded as well (including me). All survived thanks to surgeons at the Role 3 in KAF. Sadly Bobby took his own life years later.

 

[Canadian Sig]

 

[Canadian Sig]

Ah Africa....what a place.

 

[Buckmastr]

This is Bobby Eldridge and his MWD Richa. Both were American contractors that were hired to protect our team and assist in IED hunting. On my 41st Birthday Bobby triggered a VOIED and suffered a bilateral traumatic amputation. Richa and 2 other members of the team were wounded as well (including me). All survived thanks to surgeons at the Role 3 in KAF. Sadly Bobby took his own life years later.

Thanks for sharing that. RIP Bobby.

 

[Donny Fenn1]

The CC-115 Buffalo will be retired at the end of the month from RCAF service (from 442 Sqn in Comox.)

The one in the photo, serial 115462, will be offered for sale together with 11465. Serial 115452 is going to CFB Borden for preservation.

Is the Kingfisher flying and ready to replace the Buffalo?

 

[Tikka223]

This is Bobby Eldridge and his MWD Richa. Both were American contractors that were hired to protect our team and assist in IED hunting. On my 41st Birthday Bobby triggered a VOIED and suffered a bilateral traumatic amputation. Richa and 2 other members of the team were wounded as well (including me). All survived thanks to surgeons at the Role 3 in KAF. Sadly Bobby took his own life years later.

Thanks for sharing. That’s a scary job in that theater. PS, I had no idea we employed contractors in that fashion.

 

[CV32]

Is the Kingfisher flying and ready to replace the Buffalo?

Hercules will be filling in the role until the CC-295 is certified. Five have been delivered including the maintenance trainer.

 

[bush1]

Hercules will be filling in the role until the CC-295 is certified. Five have been delivered including the maintenance trainer.

We’ve had Hercs on SAR pretty much continuously since the 70’s. Usually only 1 from each Sqn on SAR standby. We lost Herc 312 on a SAR search near Chibougamau in the fall of 80. A good friend was one of the two that survived the crash. RIP for the other 8 that didn’t make it. SAR can be a very risky business at times. Crappy weather is usually the reason the SAR crews get called out and searching in marginal weather certainly has its risks.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Hercules will be filling in the role until the CC-295 is certified. Five have been delivered including the maintenance trainer.

Kind of like using a dump truck as a pick up.

Grizz

 

[diopter]

We need V-22 Ospreys.

 

[bush1]

Kind of like using a dump truck as a pick up.
Grizz

Not at all. They can get to a search site quite rapidly especially in the high arctic where it would take other aircraft multiple stops. The side para doors are replaced with glass SAR doors for the spotters and survival equipment can be tossed out of the ramp and door. SAR Techs can jump out if required as well.

It’s really a great machine for northern searches.

 

[DRA]

Kind of like using a dump truck as a pick up.

Grizz

No kidding. The Buff certainly had it's place. Sad to see them go.
Recall riding in them back when Cadets still got to do cool stuff.
Remember a STOL takeoff in one during summer camp in Trenton. I couldn't believe how fast they were up for an aircraft it's size.

 

[Buckmastr]

German soldier with rare semi-automatic Gewehr 41 rifle. Less than 7 thousand were made. It was considered not very successful and production was stopped.

 

[CV32]

We’ve had Hercs on SAR pretty much continuously since the 70’s.

Yes, of course, and they're continuing in the role in the absence of the Buffalo.

 

[bush1]

Yes, of course, and they're continuing in the role in the absence of the Buffalo.

The Buffalo was a pretty good machine for the SAR role but long in the tooth. I know they were having parts shortages over 20 years ago so I have to give them credit for keeping them going all these years.