19 Wing Comox’s 442 and 435 Transport and Rescue Squadrons will conduct training Friday, November 25, between sunset and midnight, in the Texada range, along the entire eastern shore of Texada Island, to maintain their night operations capabilities.

During this period, members of the public may hear or see one of the squadron’s Hercules airplanes or bright yellow Cormorant helicopters in the area dropping illumination flares.

These bright white flares can be seen from a great distance as they slowly descend from the sky to the water and burn for 4 – 5 minutes each.

The military says the training is essential to ensure search and rescue crews are able to safely conduct night rescues, which the squadron is called upon to conduct.