RCN Media Release, 07 December 2020.
On Thursday, 26 November 2020 the final Sea King frame was removed from Shearwater and delivered to Rotor Max Support Ltd. (RMS) signaling the final phase of disposal for the venerable aircraft. This represents a major milestone for this disposal project as well as a historical milestone within the RCAF and CAF.
Following the retirement of the CH-124 Sea King helicopters in December 2018, the Directorate of Supply Chain Operations, Directorate Aerospace Equipment Program Management (Maritime) and Director Aerospace Procurement have been busy completing the sale of these aircraft with support from the GC Mil organization in Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). This disposal included approximately 1,450,000 spare parts with more than 11,500 unique NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) located at four main locations across the country, as well as a significant number of technical publications. A total of nearly 100 full tractor trailer loads of materiel was removed from Shearwater, Montreal, Edmonton and Pat Bay as part of this sale, with Wing Staff and the Canadian Materiel Support Group (CMSG) providing crucial logistical support for these activities. The removal of this materiel will have freed up a significant volume of much-needed space to accommodate new deliveries under Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE 2017) while achieving best value for Canada per disposal policy.
Disposal manager David Kiss said “This is the final chapter in a story that began almost 60 years ago. No other platform has served the CAF so long nor so well.”
The CH-124 Sea King, procured 1963, retired from service on 31 December 2018. The Sea King helicopter was an essential part of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy for 55 years, conducting anti-submarine warfare operations, and contributing to search and rescue operations, disaster relief, counter-narcotic operations, as well as fisheries, international peacekeeping operations, and pollution patrols.
