The Crew of Buffalo Aircraft 115461
The CF began another UN operation in late 1973, and on January 2,
1974, two Buffalo aircraft left Trenton for Cairo. These formed the nucleus of
116 Air Transport Unit. After a short time in Cairo, the Unit Moved to Ismailia
on the Suez Canal south of Port Said.
The Buffalos were put straight to work
flying on the basis of 150 hours monthly, with about 20 hours included for
training. The flying was demanding: not only could the weather change from VFR
to IFR within minutes, but not everybody in the Region was friendly. This fact
was brought home tragically on August 9, 1974. Buffalo aircraft number 115461,
on a routine flight to Damascus, had left Beirut and climbed eastward over the
Lebanese highlands. It was being painted by Syrian radar, and as it neared the
village of Diemas, someone in the SAM site there decided to "Terminate" its
progress. Several SAMs were launched, at least one being on target. The Buffalo,
commanded by Capt Gary Foster, was blown out of the sky. Nine Canadians lost
their lives in this bizarre incident. Though it was investigated by the UN, CF
and Syrians, no satisfactory public explaination of the tragedy was released.
The Syrians claimed it had been and accident - the Buffalo had shown up as
Isreali aircraft were on an attack mission in the area and had been mistakely
identified as an emeny fighter.
In the Service of Peace
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The Crew of Buffalo Aircraft No. 115461
Who gave their lives
on August 9, 1974
CAPT GG FOSTER, CD. 116 ATU
CPL MHT KENNINGTON STWD
MWO CB
KOREJWO, CD. RCR
MWO G LANDRY R22eR
CAPT KB MIRAU (PLT) 116 ATU
CPL MW
SIMPSON 116 ATU
M/CPL RC SPENCER (FLT ENG) 116 ATU
CPL BK STRINGER (TFCT)
116 ATU
CAPT RB WICKS, CD. 116 ATU
Oh! I have slipped the surly
bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward
I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a
hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High
in the sunlight silence. Hovering there
I've chased the shouting wind along,
and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up
the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with
easy grace
Where never lark, nor even eagle flew -
And, while with silent
lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my
hand and touched the face of God.
Pilot Officer John Magee Jr. (RCAF)