Baltins, Raimonds (Flying Officer)

Missing 1962-07-04

Flying Officer Raimonds Baltins RCAF

Birth Date: 1937-June-04

Born: Riga, Latvia Republic

Son of Janis and Vera Baltins. Brother of Vija Baltins.

Home: Riga, Latvia Republic

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: 1956-09-14

Service

RCAF

Unit

444 Sqn- Squadron
Strike Swift Strike Sure

Base

Rank

Flying Officer

Position

Flying Officer

Service Numbers

134969

Sabre 6 23407

Combat 1962-July-04 to 1962-July-04

444 () () RCAF Baden-Soellingen, Germany
With No. 444 (F) Squadron in Europe. The aircraft departed 4 Wing on 4 July 1962 as part of a four-plane formation on a routine training mission. The pilot (F/0 Baltins) declared a landing gear problem and reported that he was returning to base. However, he did not return and neither the aircraft nor the pilot was recovered. There is speculation that the pilot may have defected to the East Bloc but this is unconfirmed. The RCAF officially declared the pilot fatally injured and the aircraft destroyed. The aircraft was struck off strength on 11 September 1962.
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