In 2010, defence minister Peter MacKay used a Cormorant search and rescue helicopter from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron to fly him out of a fishing lodge on the Gander River, according to CTV.
"After cancelling previous efforts to demonstrate their search-and-rescue capabilities to Minister MacKay over the course of three years, the opportunity for a simulated search and rescue exercise finally presented itself in July of 2010," a DND statement said.
"As such, Minister MacKay cut his personal trip to the area short to participate in this Cormorant exercise."
However, military sources say no search-and-rescue demonstration was planned until the very day MacKay's office made the request to pick him up.
- srbp -