Canadian CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter

USPA NEWS - A Canadian Forces CH-148 Cyclone helicopter that was participating in Operation Reassurance with HMCS Fredericton crashed off the coast of Greece, killing the 2 pilots and 4 crew on board. The HMCS Frederiction along with a CH-148 Cyclone departed Halifax, Nova Scotia on January 20, 2020 for a 6-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as part of NATO's Operation Reassurance.

The Cyclone helicopter was returning back to the HMCS Fredericton after participating in a NATO training exercise on the Ionian Sea when it lost communication with the ship. Initial reports on Thursday, April 30th advised that the Canadian Forces Cyclone helicopter had crashed on Wednesday evening and that the body of Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbroug had been recovered, while the 5 others were still missing.

Later on Thursday, the Canadian Military identified the 5 that were still missing as Capt. Brenden Ian MacDonald from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Capt. Kevin Hagen from Nanaimo, British Columbia,  Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin, from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke from Truro, Nova Scotia, and Master Corp. Matthew Cousins from Guelph, Ontario.

After an extensive search by many NATO assets including ships, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft the search and rescue mission was officially changed to a recovery. During a press conference in Halifax on Friday, Rear-Admiral Craig Baines Commander of Maritime Atlantic Forces said, “At 2 p.m. AST today, 6 p.m. at the scene of the accident in the Ionian Sea, search and rescue efforts were transitioned into recovery efforts."

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement, “Today, with the call to end the search and rescue mission, I join all Canadians in mourning the loss of six Canadian Armed Forces members in the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter accident near Greece earlier this week. Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Captain Kevin Hagen, Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, and Master Corporal Matthew Cousins were lost in this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with all of the families and loved ones of these Canadian heroes, and with the entire Canadian Armed Forces, as they grieve this tragedy. Every day these brave Canadians in uniform put themselves in harm´s way to keep our country and our citizens safe, and together we will honor their service to Canada and our closest allies. I express my deepest gratitude to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces, at home and overseas, for their dedicated service and sacrifice ““ our entire country is thankful. I also thank our NATO Allies who worked side-by-side with members of our Armed Forces to search for the fallen. In challenging times, Canadians lean on one another. Together we will get through this tragedy, and never forget those who were lost. We will continue to keep Canadians updated as the investigation progresses. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of these Canadian Armed Forces members. All Canadians share your grief, and we are here to support you in this difficult time.“

In a statement on Wednesday, April 28th, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be crossing the country to salute Canadians that are doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19 and those providing essential services throughout the pandemic. The mission, Operation Inspiration, will begin in Nova Scotia on Sunday and make its way west crossing Canada next week. While in Nova Scotia the Snowbirds will do a flyby over the Portapique, Debert and Truro area to pay tribute to the recent mass shooting victims and in light of the Cyclone crash this week, Military members are being asked to wear their formal uniforms and stand in their yard, when the Snowbirds fly over Halifax as tribute to their fallen comrades.