Quebec troops en route to British Columbia to help flood victims

About 30 air personnel from the Canadian ForcesValcartier base near Quebec City were deployed to B.C. on Friday afternoon to provide assistance to the communities affected by the catastrophic floods that ravaged parts of the western province.

They will be joining more than 100 military personnel from across the country who are already on the ground.

"Our role there is really to fly helicopters," said Lt.-Col. Alexandre Dubois, who commands Valcartier's Squadron 430, the team being deployed.

Dubois told Radio-Canada that his unit hasbeen designated as the lead mountain unit, and will bein charge of supplying most of the personnel for the Forces' helicopter operations in B.C.

He said they will be mostly transporting supplies and goods to communities that were cut off from the rest of the province, and flying people who need medical care in and out of those villages.

His squadron is sendingthree CH-146 Griffon helicopters, which are being flown to B.C. in a military airplane specifically designed to carry them.

The personnel being dispatched includehelicopter pilots, technicians and some soldiers from the army.

"We're really motivated and we really want to help as much as we can,"Capt. William Pugh told Radio-Canada. Pughwill be co-ordinating helicopter operations with the other units in B.C.

"This is a mission that's quite important for us, primarily because we're working with Canadians who are in need," he said.

The troops will land in Vancouver on Friday evening and are expected to arrive in Abbotsfordon Saturday. A handful more personnel will be joining them this weekend.

Dubois said they are planning to go for at least 30 days, but noted that could change as the situation evolves.