RCAF Air Traffic Control
Namao, AB

On January 1, 1971, 408 Squadron was re-activated at Namao (Edmonton), Alberta, as a Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) and equipped with CH-135 Twin Huey and CH-136 Kiowa helicopters. Its primary tasking was to provide tactical aviation to the Army. The missions included air mobiles, air ambulance, air observation, reconnaissance insertions, troop movement, airborne command and control platform, and paratrooper's drops. In September 1996, the Squadron was re-equipped with CH146 Griffon helicopters.

408 Squadron is co-located with the Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton. Equipped with 18 CH-146 Griffon helicopters, it rotates a high combat-readiness level with 427 Squadron (Petawawa, Ont.) and 430 Squadron (Valcartier, Que.) Its primary role is in support of contingency operations and vanguard brigades requiring TACHEL resources. 408 Squadron's mandate also includes supporting UN/NATO peacekeeping operations, land force training and support to other government departments. For example, 408 Squadron's eight Griffons were assigned to support the Canadian Contingent in the Balkans in 1999. Their job was to ferry small teams of paratroopers, infantrymen and tankers to certain areas to check out water reservoirs, power grids, suspected weapons caches, minefields and mass grave sites.

Comments by Bob McDevitt

Although the airport at Namo did close, the 408 THS continued to fly from this location. I believe that the VFR control tower and the AN/TPN501V (Quad Radar) continued to function but I also believe that the PAR is no longer operational at this location.