Photograph of Buffalo 461 taken approximately two weeks before the aircraft was shot down on 09 August 1974 killing Capt G.G. Foster, 116 ATU; Cpl M.H.T. Kennington, Cdn Contingent Admin Unit; A/MWO C.B. Korejwo, 1 RCR; MWO G. Landry, 3 R22eR; Capt K.B. Mirau, 116 ATU; Cpl M.W. Simpson, 116 ATU; MCpl R.C. Spencer, 116 ATU; Cpl B.K. Stringer, 116 ATU; Capt R.B. Wicks, 116 ATU.

In late 1973 the Canadian Forces commenced another United Nations operation in the Middle East (UNITED NATIONS EMERGENCY FORCE II). Included in Canada's commitment to the mission was the tasking of two Canadian Forces' Buffalo aircraft and crews, whose home station was Trenton, Ontario. In the Middle East, the unit was stationed in Ismailia, Egypt, a small city next to the Suez Canal.

Upon arrival in Egypt, the Buffalo aircraft and their crews immediately commenced operations, flying on a basis of 150 hours monthly. The flying was very demanding, not only due to the ever-changing weather but the danger of flying in a war zone.

This latter aspect was brought home tragically on the 9th of August 1974 when Buffalo aircraft number 115461 while on a routine United Nations flight to Damascus, Syria, from Beirut, Lebanon climbed eastward over the Lebanese highlands, and was shot down by the Syrian Armed Forces. Apparently the Buffalo was 'painted' by Syrian radar, and subsequently destroyed by Syrian surface-to-air missiles.

The Syrians claim it was an accident in that the Buffalo had shown up on their radar as an Israeli enemy aircraft in an 'attack profile' heading towards Damascus. The Buffalo crashed near the village of Diemas, Lebanon. Aircraft Captain Gary Foster of Calgary, and his crew and passengers totalling nine Peacekeepers were killed in the crash of the Buffalo aircraft.

In the 60 years of service on International Peacekeeping duties throughout the world, the incident of the 9th of August 1974 was the worst loss of Canadian Peacekeepers during any one incident.

This tragic incident is symbolic of the 119 Canadians who have died in the Service of Peace, as well the many Canadians who suffered physical and mental wounds serving Canada and the world for PEACE. The 9th of August has been proclaimed as Peacekeepers Day in almost all Provinces and by various cities in Canada.

A mine clearance project is underway in their memory near Kabul Afghanistan where the Canadian soldiers are currently serving.

A second survivor assistance project is underway in Cambodia in recogniotion of the sacrifice of peacekeepers families.

Major donors to this effort include:

• English Learning Centre of the University of Victoria
• Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill
• Mentor Educational Inc
• Rotary Club of Brantford
• Karin Hunter
• Rotary Club of Waterdown
• Mentor College High School Program
• Estate of Paul Andronik
• Maria Almudevar-Van Santen