Canadian Warplanes 7: Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone

(CAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148822), onboard HMCS Toronto, with the crew conducting foc’sle transfer training during Operation REASSURANCE, 20 Apr 2019.

The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone is a twin-engine, multi-role shipboard helicopter developed for the Canadian Forces.  It is a military variant of the Sikorsky S-92 and is designed for shipboard operations, replacing the venerable CH-124 Sea King, which has been in operation since 1963. The Cyclone is operational with the RCAF and will conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and search and rescue missions from RCN warships.  The Cyclone will also provide tactical transport for operations supporting national and international security efforts. (Wikipedia)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter (28), (Serial Nos. 148801-148828).

(S1 Melissa Gonzalez, Canadian Armed Forces Photo)

The dive team from HMCS Winnipeg conducts jumps from a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter (Serial No. 148823) to keep personnel trained and ready during Operation PROJECTION, in the Pacific Ocean on 29 Nov 2022.

(DND Combat Camera Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148823) over the deck as members of HMCS Ville de Quebec’s deck department receive Ship Without Air Detachment (SWOAD) training from the Helicopter Air Detachment while sailing in the Mediterranean Sea during Operation REASSURANCE on 4 Jan 2018.

(DND Combat Camera Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148823), HMCS Ville de Quebec.

(DND Combat Camera Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148823), HMCS Ville de Quebec.

(Dennis Jarvis Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148811), over Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1 Aug 2017.

(Gerry Metzler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148827).

(RCAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148824).

(RCAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148824).

(RCAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148823).

(RCAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148823)

 (Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148820), Abbotsford, British Columbia.

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148820), Abbotsford, British Columbia.

(DND Combat Camera Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148823), hovers over HMCS Ville de Quebec while performing a foc’sle transfer, while sailing in the Atlantic during Operation REASSURANCE on 12 Jan 2019.

(CAF Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (Serial No. 148822), onboard HMCS Toronto, with the crew conducting foc’sle transfer training during Operation REASSURANCE, 20 Apr 2019.

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, RCAF (Serial No. 148820), CFB Comox, British Columbia.

(USN Photo, Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Santiago Navarro)

HMCS Winnipeg’s embarked Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter departs the flight deck during cross-deck landing training aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG67) during Keen Sword 21, on 31 Oct 2020.

(DND Photos)
Clockwise from top left: Capt Kevin Hagen, Sub-Lt Abbigail Cowbrough, CaptBrenden Ian MacDonald, MCpl. Matthew Cousins, Sub-Lt Matthew Pyke, Capt MaximeMiron-Morin.

29 Apr 2020. Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter (Serial No. 148822), "Stalker 22" crashed in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece while operating from HMCS Fredericton as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2.  The accident killed six passengers and aircrew in the most unfortunate single-day loss of life in the CAF since the Afghan war.  At the time of the accident, HMCS Fredericton and Stalker 22 were operating alongside Turkish and Italian Allies, conducting maritime surveillance operations and passing information between the ships and helicopter.  

The following Canadian Armed Forces members were tragically killed in the crash: Captain Brenden MacDonald, Pilot, from New Glasgow, NS. Captain Kevin Hagen, Pilot, from Nanaimo, BC. Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Air Combat Systems Officer, from Trois-Rivières, QC. Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator, from Guelph, ON. Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Naval Warfare Officer, from Truro, NS. Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, Marine Systems Engineering Officer, from Toronto, ON.