RCAF crew wins Cormorant Trophy for exceptional rescue
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Rescue 901 crew from 103 Squadron Gander has won the 2017 Cormorant Trophy and was congratulated by Leonardo helicopters for its achievements.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Rescue 901 crew from 103 Squadron Gander has won the 2017 Cormorant Trophy and was congratulated by Leonardo helicopters for its achievements.
The RCAF crew won the award for the rescue of five crewmen who were forced to abandon their vessel around 250km offshore in rough seas and bad weather on 5 March 2017. As soon as they received the distress call, the team headed out from its Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax in the service’s AW101 Cormorant helicopter. Competing with 10-metre-high waves and wind of over 110km/h, the team was able to save all five crew members. Major Jim Pinhorn, Commanding Officer of 103 Squadron and one of the airmen involved in the rescue, said it was an honour to be recognised for their efforts. “The men and women of 103 SAR Squadron, as well as those from search and rescue organisations all across Canada, routinely exhibit professionalism and make tremendous sacrifices in order to ensure that they successfully fulfil their respective SAR mandates,” he added.
Mark Fair, Canadian Customer Support at Leonardo Helicopters, presented the crew with the award, stating: “The selfless heroism displayed by the team onboard Rescue 901 in this monumental rescue of the crew of the Fishing Vessel Northern Provider exemplifies the efforts of all RCAF search and rescue crews each and every time they head off into danger to put their lives on the line to save Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”