A bit of aviation history was marked this week in Gander as two female SAR-Techs crewed a Cormorant for the first time in Royal Canadian Air Force history.

Team Leaders Sergeant Ashley Barker from the 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox B.C. and Team Member, Master Corporal Katerine Hanak from the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander crewed an operational Stand by Day.

There are only three female operational Search and Rescue Technicians currently serving in the RCAF – making this week a “special occasion” according to military officials.