In 2002, Agusta-Westland/European Helicopter Industries, manufacturers of the Canadian Forces’ Cormorant search and rescue helicopters, commissioned a trophy to be presented annually to a civilian, government or military Canadian helicopter crew that had performed the most demanding helicopter rescue of the year. Since July 2003, the Canadian Forces has issued a call for nominations to all recognized helicopter operators in Canada for the award now known as the Cormorant Trophy. The time is approaching to nominate rescue missions for the Cormorant Trophy.

The mission needs to have occurred between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 and should fit the following criteria:

a. occurred within Canada’s Search and Rescue area of responsibility;

b. was conducted by a Canadian civilian, government or military helicopter crew;

c. involved a rescue or attempted rescue where lives were saved or the potential for saving lives was high.

A committee of judges will review each nomination. The committee will take into account the following considerations:

a. the severity of the environmental conditions under which the mission was flown;

b. the difficulty of the mission with respect to the performance capabilities of the helicopter used; and

c. the courage, dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the crew.

Nominations should include a list of crewmembers involved as well as a description of the particulars of the mission. Nominations can be submitted to Major Grant Blair at 1 Canadian Air Division, and to be considered must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2013. Recipient of the award will be announced at the National SAREX to be held in Gimli Manitoba in September. Presentation to the crew will occur at a later date at the home unit/base.

For questions or to submit a nomination, contact Major Grant Blair at Blair.GP@forces.gc.ca or 204-833-2500, ext. 5220.