RCAF crew receives 2013 Cormorant Trophy
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) crew of search and rescue (SAR) helicopter Rescue 912 were honoured with the 2013 Cormorant Trophy recently, along with the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN).
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) crew of search and rescue (SAR) helicopter Rescue 912 were honoured with the 2013 Cormorant Trophy recently, along with the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN). The five crewmen – Captain Aaron Noble, Captain Jonathon Groten, Sergeant Bradley Hiscock, Master Warrant Officer Jeffrey Warden and Master Corporal Mark Vokey – were all stationed with 103 Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Gander as crew of the AW101 Cormorant Helicopter in February this year, when the rescue for which they received the award took place. The operation in question involved the rescue of three hunters in such appalling blizzard conditions that the helicopter had to fly the last two miles to the rescue backwards, due to the powerful winds. The Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award citation from GAPAN, which is based in the UK, said that the crew of Rescue 912 ‘demonstrated remarkable professionalism and achievement that led to the saving of three lives’, while the Cormorant Trophy citation noted their ‘courage, expertise and resourcefulness’, saying that their ‘skill and exceptional crew coordination ultimately led to the saving of three lives’.
Once Captain Noble had decided to perform the ‘out of the box’ manoeuvre and turn the helicopter 180 degrees, to avoid further pummelling from snow and wind, the rest of the crew rushed to guide him to the hunters’ perceived location. Luckily it didn’t take long to spot the rescuees’ lights, and Master Corporal Vokey was quickly hoisted down to begin the rescue, battling against wind, snow, rotor wash and static electric shock. The hunters were taken onboard and transferred to hospital in Gander to be treated for hypothermia.
The Cormorant Trophy was introduced in 2002 by helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, to be presented annually to the Canadian civilian, military or government helicopter crew that performs the year’s most demanding rescue.