Newfoundland opposition parties slam military decision to authorize fishing trip

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador’s opposition parties are criticizing the military’s decision to allow troops to use a helicopter for a fishing trip.

The trip happened June 8 but only came to light after provincial Liberal member Randy Edmunds recently posted a photo to Facebook showing crew members from 5 Wing Goose Bay at a Labradror lake.

Capt. Dave Bowen, a spokesman for the airbase, says the commanding officer of 444 Combat Support Squadron authorized the use of a CH-146 Griffon for the trip.

Bowen says that was done to recognize the effort of ground crews in completing maintenance and inspection of an aircraft returning from a deployment to Jamaica.

He also says the crew members on the trip to No Name Lake conducted a recognizance mission for ongoing operations in the area.

But Edmunds says it was a misuse of military aircraft, and provincial NDP emergency services critic George Murphy says the decision to authorize the trip was “stupid.”

Bowen says the crew members on the trip were available if an emergency arose and could have responded if needed.