The last four of Canada’s Sea King helicopters conducted a ceremonial fly-past around Victoria Monday.
Sea Kings have served the country for 55 years.
“Today was a wistful and celebratory day at 443 Squadron,” wrote Lt. Col. Travis Chapman in an emailed statement.
The 443 Marine Helicopter Squadron at Patricia Bay is the last in Canada to fly the Sikorsky CH Sea King helicopter, which is being replaced by the CH-148 Cyclone.
Two Cyclones have arrived at 443 Squadron and nine are expected by the end of 2021.
Of the five Sea Kings at 443 Squadron, one will remain on display, one will be donated to the Canadian National Air Museum in Trenton, Ont., and the remaining three will be sold as surplus.
During its day, pilots said, the Sea King was a superb machine, allowing Canada to lead the world in boosting the capabilities of relatively small ships such as destroyers and frigates by adding a helicopter.
Previously, naval experts assumed that operating a helicopter at sea required a large platform such as an aircraft carrier. But Canada showed that smaller ships could carry helicopters by developing a winch, cable and locking mechanism called a Beartrap.
“Although we are sad to see our trusty Sea King retire, we are also proud of its accomplishments,” wrote Chapman. “And we are enthusiastic about our capability’s future with the CH-148 Cyclone.”
