Griffons 'self-deploy' to support Op Hestia

Within three days of the devastating news of Haiti’s earthquake, the first aircrew from 1 Wing’s 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, located at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, Que. was headed for Haiti to further support relief efforts.

The crew - Captain Pierre Lalancette, aircraft commander; Capt Gerry Caron, co-pilot; and Corporal Alain Roy, flight engineer – flew one of four “self-deploying” Griffons to Haiti. That means they flew to Haiti on Jan. 16 under their own power, rather than being transported onboard a CC-177 Globemaster III, thus freeing up valuable space for the transport rations, supplies and personnel to support Operation Hestia.

Griffon aircrews also flew to Haiti from 439 Combat Support Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville, Que. 3 Wing’s 439 Combat Support Squadron,  444 Combat Support Squadron, 5 Wing Goose Bay, N.L. left for Haiti on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 17 and 18.

Two Griffons from 8 Wing’s 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, Ont. were transported via CC-177.

“I was glad to volunteer to deploy, because I went to Haiti in 1997 on the peacekeeping mission,” Capt Lalancette said. “I had been there before, so I am familiar with the location and I more or less know what to expect.”

The helicopters are more maneuverable than fixed-wing aircraft, and have greater flexibility in moving supplies, equipment and people around Haiti.

“We’re expecting once they get there they’ll be doing some mobility tasks, because we understand that roads have been rendered impassable either by the earthquake or by debris. They’ll help move people around that, and they’ll be able to move food and water, small amounts of it, to some of the more remote areas that may not be accessible,” Colonel Christopher Coates, commander of 1 Wing, Kingston, Ont., said as the helicopters deployed for Haiti.  “We’ll be able to move medical parties in and out, and we’ll be the eyes in the sky for the commanders as they determine where they need to go.”

 “There are a lot of unknowns for this trip,” Capt Lalancette said. “Back [in 1997] things like logistical support and communications were in place, but now we’re going in to set that up. We don’t know what the environment holds, and what kind of support we’ll be getting, and what the health conditions or diseases might be, but we’re ready for the unexpected.”

As well, even though this mission is quite different from the mission in Afghanistan, there are important similarities.

“The drive to help people remains the same,” Col Coates said. “What we’re doing in Afghanistan is helping the people in Afghanistan, and what we’re going to do in Haiti is help the people in Haiti, and that’s such a strong motivator for what we do.

“I would like to emphasize the experience, dedication, and enthusiasm of all of the members of the Air Force, whether they are from my Wing, or some of the other Wings. The professionalism has been absolutely incredible,” said Col Coates.

By A/SLt Noelani Shore - 1 Wing Public Affairs - Canadian Armed Forces