All Weather Fighter Association

No. 445 Squadron

Badge: A wolverine rampant holding in its dexter paw a lightning flash
Motto Strike as lightning
Authority Queen Elizabeth II, April 1956

The wolverine, like the squadron, ventures forth to travel and hunt both day and night in all weather. It is indigenous to Canada and is ingenious, fearless, and of great strength. The flash of lightning is suggestive of the speed with which modern aircraft strike.

Formed as an All-Weather (Fighter) unit at North Bay, Ontario on 1 April 1953, the squadron was the first unit to fly CF-100 aircraft on North American air defence. In November 1956 it joined No 1 Air Division Europe, replacing No 410 (Fighter) Squadron in No. 1 Wing at Marville, France. On the withdrawal of CF-100 aircraft from operational service, the squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1962.

Brief Chronology Formed at North Bay, Ont. 1 Apr 53. Disbanded at Marville, Fr· 31 Dec 62.

Nickname "Wolverine"

Commanders
W/C G.E. Nickerson, DFC, CD 1 Apr 53 - 9 Nov 53.
W/C R.F. Hatton, DFC, CD 3 Feb 54 - 2 Aug 56.
W/C E.G. Ireland, DFC, CD 2 Aug 56 - 20 Jun 58.
W/C G. Sutherland, CD 1 Jul 58 - 31 Jul 59.
W/C K.W. MacDonald, CD 1 Aug 59 - 30 Jun 60.
W/C E.J. Trotter, DFC, DFM, CD 1 Jul 60 - Dec 62.

Higher Formations and Squadron Locations
Air Defence Command:
North Bay, Ont. I Apr 53 - 31 Aug 53. Uplands, Ont. 1 Sep 53 - 31 Oct 56.
En route overseas (Operation "Nimble Bat I") 1 Nov 56.
No. 1 Air Division Europe:
No. 1(Fighter) Wing, Marville, Fr 2 Nov 56 - 31 Dec 62.