On a sunny day in September, members of Transport and Rescue Squadron 435 parachuted into the centre of Westwood Collegiate's track field as hundreds of students looked on.
Westwood Collegiate Principal Kevin Dueck says the event has been many months in the making.
“We were initially looking at dates in June to coincide with the graduating class of 2024, but we ran into some delays, so I'm really pleased to see this event come to fruition."
Principal Dueck says hosting this event was a great opportunity for students to learn about the skills and practices within their own back yard.
“There's obviously a lot of science and math to what was demonstrated today, but it's also just flat out fun." he says, adding that he wants students to “think about the amazing, trained professionals we have in our own community," he says.
Squadron 435 operates out of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, which is just a few kilometers away from the SJASD high school.
Every year, the Squadron undertakes parachute training drops to maintain skills. While some of these exercises take place in a variety of wilderness settings, others are linked to community events and bring exposure to the trade.
Master Corporal Matthew Henry is a Search and Rescue Technician/Scheduler. His sister Tyllar recently graduated from Westwood. He reached out to school staff to partner on this event last spring.
“When I was in high school, when I was younger, I participated in an event that the unit 435 that I'm part of put on and I saw what they were doing and I thought it was super cool. And then I was like 'this is what I want to do with my career.' And now I just try to do everything I can to do these as many times as I can to maybe get the next generation to come do this," he says.
Hundreds of students and community members watched as a CC130 Hercules aircraft dropped six Search and Rescue Technicians including Master Corporal Henry from the skies above Westwood at approximately 2,000 feet. Squadron Technicians are trained paramedics that provide pre-medical care to people in locations that other emergency services personnel cannot infiltrate. This can include, but is not limited to, mountain terrains, arctic landscapes, marine areas, and confined places surrounded by trees or water. Their primary directive is aeronautical disasters.
Grade 12 student Brynn C. watched the parademo with her classmates.
“I've personally never seen anything like that before and I found it really cool," says Brynn, noting the Technicians had to carry heavy gear, and steer and land the parachute while dealing with the wind and altitude.
“After seeing that, I'm inspired to go because it looks so cool. I guess another thing to add to the bucket list," she says.
Grade 11 student Massimo Dos Santos thought the jump was “flipping awesome."
“Seeing them fly out of the air it was amazing to watch. I've always seen videos of people practicing and I've always wanted to do that," he says.
The entire student body of Westwood Collegiate watched the aerial demonstration, along with invited community members, caregivers, and a number of classes from nearby Sansome School. The event had been planned for earlier in the week but was delayed twice due to inclement weather. In total, approximately 700 spectators took in this unique community event on September 20, 2024.
For more information about Squadron 435, visit RCAF's website.
Thanks to the staff of Westwood Collegiate for hosting this inspiring event. Thanks as well to Squadron 435 for educating the SJASD community about your important work.
Pictured (from top to bottom): CC130 Hercules aircraft flies over Westwood's track field; Two Rescue Technicians exit from the back of the plane and begin their descent; A Rescue Technician completes his jump; From left, Vice Principal Barry Wiess, Principal Kevin Dueck, Master Corporal Matthew Henry, Matthew's father, sister Tyllar Henry and mother.
