Originally known as the
CHSS-2 on delivery in May 1963, they replaced the fleet of
Sikorsky S-55 (HO4S-3). First 4 were built at the Sikorsky plant, whilst the remaining 37 were assembled from kits by United Aircraft in Montreal. When Canadian Forces were unified in 1968, the CHSS-2 was redesignated
CH-124. After effective performance in the Persian Gulf in 1990/91, the CH-124 has featured prominently in Canadian humanitarian and peace keeping missions. CH-124 fleet is based at
CFB Shearwater in Nova Scotia as part of Maritime Air Group's 12 Wing.
Survivors of the
41 aircraft originally received by the
Royal Canadian Navy in 1963
As part of the Canadian Standing Contingency Force development, 5 CH-124Bs were modified between May and Nov 2006 to remove the ASW equipment fit and convert to carry 12 fully armed troops as part of a short range amphibious assault mission. This involved new seating, a redesigned interior fuselage liner to prevent snagging, secure radios and easier ingress/egress accessories. This resulted in a successful proof of concept test when the modified fleet embarked
USS Gunstan Hall and attacked
Camp Lejeune between 6 and 19 Nov 2006.
East Coast flights (operated by 406/423 Squadrons, 12 Wing, CFB Shearwater) planned for January 26, 2018 whilst the West Coast (442 Squadron, 12 Wing, Victoria Intl) scheduled to continue until December 2018.
