419 ‘Moose’ Squadron arrives for a final Remembrance Day flyover

KAMLOOPS — If you were in or around the Kamloops region Friday afternoon (Nov. 10), you may have heard the sound of military jets flying over. The 419 Moose Squadron has arrived in Kamloops for the city’s Remembrance Day ceremony Saturday.

The ‘Moose’ title is a reference to John ‘Moose’ Fulton, a Kamloops man who was the first Commanding Officer for the squadron. It’s part of why the fly-past has become a staple of the Remembrance Day ceremony, and why the group has become tightly knit with the local community.

“Our close connection ties, with the city stems all the way from World War II and we try to keep that alive all the way until now with our participation in the Remembrance Day ceremonies and the fly-past that we do every year,” says LCol. Ryan Kean, the Commanding Officer of the 419 Squadron.

Initially, the Moose Squadron was formed during the Second World War. The Commanding Officer, Wing Commander John “Moose” Fulton was killed in action in 1942, and in his honour, the squadron decided to take on his name.

Today, 419 is a Tactical Fighter Training Squadron.

“We’re under the NATO flying training program and with that, we’ve got students and staff from all over NATO and beyond,” explains Kean. “We’ve got (people) from Singapore, Great Britain and Hungary right now are a bunch of our members.”

When the 419 Squadron comes to Kamloops, the 886 Overlander Wing has a large role in facilitating those visits and maintaining that relationship.

Wendy McKenzie is the president of the 886 Overlander Wing RCAF Association and says they have a tight knit group.

“I think what’s really unique about this is that we have the 886 (Overlanders) Wing, we now have the Rocky Mountain Rangers, we have the City of Kamloops, we have the 419 (Squadron), and we support each other as a community, as friends, as professionals,” explains McKenzie. “That’s something that you don’t find everywhere.”

Saturday’s fly-past over Kamloops will be the Squadron’s last — for the time being. The hiatus stems from changes with the planes and training programs.

“Unfortunately, this is going to be our last year for the fly-past with 419 Squadron for a few years,” explains Kean. “While we take a little bit of a cease of operations until the squadron stands up again under the future flight training program.”

Over the years, the annual arrival of the 419 Squadron has become a highlight for the city’s Remembrance Day ceremony — not just for the impressive jets, but because of the people piloting those planes.

“Yes, they come and give us a nice show and a flyover, but we really feel honoured that they are a part of our Kamloops community,” adds McKenzie.

And for the members of the Moose Squadron, the feeling is mutual.

“Coming into Kamloops, it’s just how welcoming the community and the city is to us,” explains Kean. “Like we alluded to, that relationship has been strong since WWII. Honestly, every time we come here, it feels like we’re coming home.”