402 Pipes and Drums Band

402 Pipes and Drums

"Loud and Proud"

City of Winnipeg Squadron

The 402 City of Winnipeg Squadron was formed on Oct 5^th 1932 and shares being the oldest serving Squadron in the Air Force with 400 Sqn in Borden On. The 402 Sqn, Pipes and Drums Band was originally formed in 1954 from the Winnipeg Thistle Pipes and Drums Band and their Pipe Major, Mr. J. Reay, CD, became the Squadron first Pipe Major. The band is currently under the direction of Pipe Major Greg McTavish. The band has an authorized establishment of 22 members and is comprised of both active military reservists in 402 Squadron and volunteer members. The band proudly wears the distinctive RCAF tartan. 

With over their 50 years of history, the band and its highland dancers have gained many honors and participated in numerous significant events. In addition to the many local civilian and military engagements, they have also traveled throughout North America and Europe proudly representing Canada, the Armed Forces, the City of Winnipeg and 402 Squadron by performing at various festivals, competitions, concerts and parades.  

Their travels have taken them to three appearances in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California; Walt Disney World and Epcot Center, Florida; two Air Canada Silver Broom appearances in Denmark and Sweden, the Minneapolis Aquatennial and the 1967 Pan American Games. They have also performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dallas, Austin and San Antonio Texas; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and throughout Canada to name a few.