Military aircraft conducts low-altitude training over Vancouver Island.
Aviation fans with a keen eye will notice some extra activity in the skies over Vancouver Island through the middle of next week as a large military plane spends time training here.
The Hercules and its 24 crewmembers and technicians are at 19 Wing Comox from June 1 to 8 conducting low-altitude training and payload-drop practice.
“Today was training day one,” said Capt. Michael Carey of Trenton’s 426 Transport Training Squadron on Tuesday. “Today we did some mountain contour flying trying to prepare our crews here for search and rescue in mountainous terrain.”
Normally it’s the distinctive yellow Buffalo airplane that most people around the island see doing search and rescue operations, but in many parts of Canada it’s the Hercules that performs that role.
“Currently it’s in use in Winnipeg, Trenton and Greenwood,” said Carey. “The real big advantage to the Hercules is its range and its payload capability.”
The Comox base sent out a public advisory on Monday letting the public know they would likely see the large grey aircraft flying low and slow over many parts of the island.
“Conducting those low-level searches as well as those practice drops, especially around airfields, some of the public might see us flying low-level, conducting some drops to those airfields,” Carey said.
On Monday the crew and aircraft were around the Tofino area while other missions may take them as far as the Lower Mainland. In many instances, the aircraft will be dropping objects and technicians.
“That can include anything from food and water to extra shelter and clothing, as well as doing our live parachute jumps for our search and rescue technicians,” Carey said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.