The Royal Canadian Airforce 442 squadron based in Comox has been honoured by a pilots group based in the U-K for efforts to rescue people trapped by landslides on Highway 7 last year.

The squadron has been given the Barry Marsden Memorial Award for outstanding performance in a time of exceptional distress.

The company said the squadron, based in Comox, B.C., showed exceptional dedication to rescue 311 people, 26 dogs and a cat that were trapped by landslides on Highway 7 near Agassiz.

A series of atmospheric rivers stalled over the province last November, flooding communities, washing away highways and prompting several landslides, including one that killed five people.

A statement from the company says the Cormorant crews were able to land on the highway in deteriorating weather and gale-force winds, despite the congestion and debris caused by the slides.