12 Wing Shearwater
"We fly over the sea"
12 Wing Shearwater is the centre of naval aviation in Canada. Home of the CH-124 Sea King helicopter, 12 Wing supports the Navy with up to nine helicopter air detachments for international and domestic operations.
It is an exciting time to be part of 12 Wing, home to the Maritime Helicopter community. With the announcement of the Sea King replacement, the CH-148 Cyclone and continued operational commitments, the Wing has never been busier.
Personnel and aircraft are deployed around the world primarily as part of Helicopter Air Detachments (HELAIRDETS) that deploy with Navy ships on the East and West coast. While deployed personnel become part of the ship's crew and the helicopter acts as an extension of the ship, extending its sensor and weapons delivery capability.
The Sea King is one of the busiest Aircraft in Canada's Air Force, participating in a variety of international and domestic operations. In recent years, this has included Operation SAIPH, Canada’s periodic contribution to counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa; Operation LAMA, A joint humanitarian relief mission that helped Newfoundland communities crippled by Hurricane Igor; Operation HESTIA, the Canadian Forces participation in humanitarian operations conducted in response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Op PODIUM, the Canadian Forces contingency operation that supported the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games; and, most recently, as part of Operation MOBILE was the Canadian Forces’ participation in the international response to the popular uprising in Libya against the regime of Moammar Gadhafi.
12 Wing is located at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater.
Read about the history of 12 Wing Shearwater.
Squadrons
- 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron
- 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron
- 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron (at Patricia Bay)
- 12 Air Maintenance Squadron
- 12 Wing Air Reserve Flight
Equipment
Command Team
Wing news
Operation Overlord: D-Day Remembered
Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons had already been involved for several months in bombing key enemy targets in the invasion area. Now, RCAF squadrons were among 171 Allied squadrons that attacked on D-Day—June 6, 1944.
June 6, 2018
RCAF trainees encouraged to make the most of their time between courses
Waiting periods between various phases of RCAF training is inevitable—but trainees are encouraged to make the most of those gaps for both personal and professional development.
June 4, 2018
Lost Canadian Banshee pilot remembered in Ottawa
More than 60 years ago, Lieutenant Barry Troy disappeared when his Banshee fighter jet crashed off the coast of Florida. On April 27, 2018, members of the Troy family gathered with personnel from the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy to pay tribute to his memory.
June 1, 2018
434 Squadron reborn to lead RCAF’s operational testing and evaluation
434 “Bluenose” Squadron was reborn on May 31, 2018, at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. It will bring all the RCAF’s testing and evaluation flights, located across the country, under its command.
May 31, 2018
From Tholthorpe to Trenton: the history of 434 “Bluenose” Squadron
434 “Bluenose” Squadron is back in business as a test and evaluation squadron. This article traces the history of the squadron from its wartime origins.
May 30, 2018
Contact Information
Main Operator: (902) 427-0550
12 Wing Public Affairs Officer
12 Wing Public Affairs Officer
12 Wing Shearwater
P.O. Box 5000 Station Main
Shearwater, Nova Scotia B0J 3A0
Phone: (902) 720-1996
Email: 12WPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca
