441 Tactical Fighter Squadron (441 TFS) was a unit of the Canadian Forces. It was originally formed as a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the Second World War. The squadron operated the CF-188 Hornet fighter jet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada. It was deactivated in 2006.
No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron was formed on April 20, 1942 at Sydney, Nova Scotia and flew Hurricanes as part of Eastern Air Command. It was renumbered No. 441 Fighter Squadron when it transferred overseas to Digby, Lincolnshire, England on February 8, 1944. It was based in England, France, and Belgium throughout the Second World War. When the squadron returned to England it was disbanded on August 7, 1945. 441 Squadron reformed at RCAF Station St. Hubert on March 1, 1951 and went to 1 wing, then located at RAF North Luffenham on February 13, 1952. The squadron was temporarily situated at 3 Wing Zweibrücken on December 21, 1954 before moving to their intended destination, Marville, France. They were deactivated on September 1, 1963 at Marville and then reactivated as 441 Strike/Attack squadron on September 15, 1963, then moved with 1 wing to Lahr in April 1967. In 1971 the squadron moved to CFB Baden-Soellingen and changed its name to 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron. They disbanded again in 1986 and then finally reformed at 4 wing Cold Lake on June 26, 1986.
On July 6, 2006, 441 Squadron was once again stood down, and its crew amalgamating with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron at CFB Cold Lake and re-formed as 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron. The squadron's colours and battle honours were placed in Sydney, Nova Scotia, where it first operated.
Famous quotes containing the words fighter and/or squadron:
“A pleasant smell of frying sausages
Attacks the sense, along with an old, mostly invisible
Photograph of what seems to be girls lounging around
An old fighter bomber, circa 1942 vintage.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“Well gentlemen, this is it. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Tonight your target is Tokyo. And you’re gonna play ‘em the Star Spangled Banner with two-ton bombs. All you’ve got to do is to remember what you’ve learned and follow your squadron leaders. They’ll get you in, and they’ll get you out. Any questions? All right that’s all. Good luck to you. Give ‘em hell.”
—Dudley Nichols (1895–1960)