The Lethbridge Military Museum hosted members of the 429 Transport Squadron to celebrate the anniversary of the squadron, which was adopted by the City of Lethbridge in 1944. The squadron was established in 1942 and has been used in many support missions across the country since the second world war. It is now based in Trenton, Ontario and members visited Alberta to both mark the anniversary and take part in a flypass in Nanton on Saturday.
The adoption was part of a nationwide initiative to help create a link between overseas military units and communities back home.
“It became known as the City of Lethbridge Squadron in those days. During the war, the home communities would provide, basically care packages to those assigned to the squadron,” said Wayne King, who was commanding officer of 429 Squadron from 1978-1980. “429 has a very significant history during wartime and ever since.”
He was accompanied by Acting Commanding Officer Major Victoria Chatzikirou and Squadron Chief Warrant Officer Blair Spencer on Friday to see a display set up for the Squadron at the military museum in Lethbridge.
“I try to preserve the linkage between the city and the squadron and keep that alive and active in the minds of the local residents because one thing I think, that in Canada we all too soon forget is how much of a contribution the military has made to our society,” King said.
