 FORMATION AND EARLY YEARS
The squadron was formed in October 1932 as 10
(Army Cooperation) Squadron and began flying in 1934 at the Trethewey Farm
airfield (aka de Lesseps Field) in Toronto. In April, 1935, the City of Toronto
adopted the squadron which then became officially known as “10 (City of Toronto)
Squadron”. In 1937, the squadron was re-designated “110 (City of Toronto) Squadron”.
  LYSANDERS AT ROCKCLIFFE In the UK, the squadron was initially equipped
with the Lysander III and was involved in the Army Co-op and photo recce
role. The squadron was active in
the Dunkirk evacuation (27 May - 3 June 1940) but not directly involved in the
Battle of Britain (10 July - 31 Oct. 1940). In mid-1941, the squadron was
re-designated “400 (City of Toronto) Squadron”.
The Tomahawk I arrived in mid-1941 and the squadron flew both the Lysanders and the Tomahawk I at the same time.
 MUSTANG I
In early 1942, the Mustang I was issued to the squadron which participated in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942.
  PR MOSQUITO XVI
In June 1943, the squadron was reassigned to the fighter reconnaissance role and the unarmed PR Sptifire XI and the PR Mosquito XVI were assigned as the war progressed
The unit collected photographic intelligence
for the Allied D-Day invasion planners, and before-and-after photos of allied
air attacks on German V-1 launch sites.
Following the Allied invasion of Europe in June 1944, it provided
tactical photo reconnaissance for the British Second Army in Northwest
Europe. Although the Spitfire XI
and the Mosquito XVI were high-altitude and unarmed PR aircraft, the Mustang
served in an armed reconnaissance role and exacted a significant toll of destroyed
trains. In July 1944, the squadron
began the move to France and other destinations in Europe.
During the Second World War, there were 28 casualties. OUR AIRCRAFT - POST WWII HARVARD II & VAMPIRE III After flying from 21 different airfields in the
UK and Europe, the squadron was disbanded at a captured German airfield in
August 1945.
However, the squadron
was reformed in early 1946 at Malton but soon moved to Downsview later in
1946.
The squadron was initially equipped with the Harvard II; the Vampire III arrived in 1948.
 In 1955, the T-33 was added to the inventory and the squadron flew all three types of aircraft at the same time. In Oct. 1956, the Sabre Mk 5 arrived and replaced the Vampires.
During the jet era, there were seven casualties.
 The squadron was reassigned to Air Transport Command (ATC) and re-equipped with the Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor in mid-1959.
The Expeditor was withdrawn from service in 1966.
 400 SQN OTTER OVER ARCTIC WATERS The DHC-3
Otter followed in early 1960. During the Otter era (1960-1980), the squadron
deployed to the Arctic on several occasions and was involved in search
and rescue activities in and around Ontario.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Squadron StandardStandards are a flag-type memorial to a unit’s battle honours and are
usually allowed after 25 years of continuous service.
The original Standard was 'lain up' in October 2014. VIEW VIDEO.
The new 400 Squadron Standard is on display at the CFB Borden Officers Mess. In 1974, the McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee arrived from CASM
for restoration.
In 1987, the restoration of the Banshee was complete
and it was returned to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Squadron History Book The squadron history book was published in 1998 by CWO Ron Wylie. THE HELICOPTER ERAAfter Air Transport Command, the Air Force Reserves were part of
10 Tactical Air Group. In early
1980,
the Otters were withdrawn and the squadron was re-equipped with the CH-136
Kiowa helicopter.  KIOWA PAINTED FOR 60th ANNIVERSARY
In
1996, the squadron, after 50 years at Downsview, was relocated to CFB Borden,
ON. During the Downsview era, the
squadron participated in many Army combat support missions and annual airshows
including the Canadian National Exhibition. Also, during this era, several members
of the squadron deployed to participate in the many Canadian Forces peacekeeping
missions.
 CH 146 GRIFFON
In 1996, the squadron was re-equipped with the CH-146 Griffon helicopter.
 75th ANNIVERSARY ARTWORK
With special 75th anniversary Griffon artwork added in 2007.
Helicopter Era - Special Events During the helicopter era, the squadron
made annual Christmas flights to the Sick Children’s Hospital utilizing the
roof-top helipad.
See article CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
In 2010, the
squadron was involved in security for the Winter Olympics and the G8 and G20
Conferences. The squadron operates in a tactical role and continues to be
involved in Army combat support missions, including a significant deployment to
Afghanistan, and in search and rescue operations. The squadron is an active Air
Force Reserve unit at Borden, ON.
OUR PIPE BAND In
1939, pipes and drums were introduced as a second band. At that time, this ad hoc collection of
pipes and drums performed for the entertainment of the squadron members and at
many other functions. During and after the Second World War, the pipes and drums
continued and the band became an integral and important part of the
squadron. The band continues to
perform at all formal parades, social functions, and has won many awards and
international competitions.
SUMMARYIn summary, 400 Squadron was the first Air
Force Auxiliary (Reserve) squadron formed (1932) and is now the oldest squadron
in the Canadian Forces. In its
early years, from a meager beginning, the squadron progressed and was ready to
go to war in 1940. During the War,
it had many achievements and was active at Dunkirk, Dieppe, Juno Beach, the
Battle of the Bulge, and the crossing of the Rhine.
In addition to being the first squadron
overseas, it was also the first RCAF squadron to move to the Continent after
D-Day. It was the first squadron to
cross the Rhine and flew over 3,000 reconnaissance missions from 21 different
airfields. Squadron members were awarded 11 DFC's (Distinguished Flying Cross), one BEM (British Empire Medal) one DFM (Distinguished Flying Medal) and several "Mentioned-in-Dispatches."
   There were 28 casualties, including four MIA's and one POW during World War II. VIEW OUR HONOUR ROLL After the War, it was the first Auxiliary squadron formed in Canada and has flown a variety of aircraft. The squadron received its Standard in 1961 and our motto is "On Watch To Strike"
There were seven casualties post war.
DFC DFM BEM
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400 History >
