New planes for military search and rescue teams at 19 Wing in Comox are expected to be ready to fly early this year.
According to Esprit de Corps Magazine, the Royal Canadian Air Force expects the new CC-295 Kingfishers to reach initial operational capacity in early 2025. That’s confirmed by details posted online by the Department of Defence about the “Fixed-wing search and rescue procurement project.”
The fixed-wing Kingfishers will replace older Buffalo and Hercules aircraft at four Wings across Canada. The Department of Defence says they will be capable of locating people or objects — such as downed aircraft — from more than 40 kilometres away.
A training centre with simulator has already been built at 19 Wing in Comox. There are currently five planes stationed at 19 Wing, and crews have been training with them since 2022.
The new planes are expected to reach full operational capacity in 2029.
