Pararescue specialists, known as Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) are on constant standby to deploy within 2 hours of notification.

By the end of April 1943, 424 had bombed Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Bochum, Hamburg, Cologne, Essen, and took part in a third trip to Duisburg.

Tropicalized for use in the heat, sand, and frequent dust storms, the Wellington B.Mk.X aircraft, offered much improved performance now also able to fly on one engine.

Its new mission, first to support Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily (9/10 July) stationed in Tunisia, bombing airfields, harbours, freight yards and rail junctions.

63 Base RCAF, at RAF Skipton-on-Swale, arriving in time for yet another North Yorkshire winter, but with a change to the Handley Page Halifax Mk.

In October 1944, a Mat Ferguson 'Squadron Badge' was submitted to the Chester Herald of the Royal College of Arms and 'much modified' came to be approved by King George VI in June 1945, 424 Squadron finally gaining the nickname "Tiger".

Serving with No.1 Group RAF 'Bomber Command Strike Force', after the war, it flew POW repatriation missions from Italy from 30 August before disbanding at Skipton on 15 October 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Smith has consistently flown in adverse weather and in the face of intense enemy opposition but he has never let that deter him from completing his missions.

[10] On 17 December 2013, a Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter from the squadron was dispatched from CFB Trenton to Kingston, Ontario, to rescue a stranded crane operator above a large fire at a student housing project under construction.