Historical Narrative
2401 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Montreal, PQ.
1 December 1953 to 31 May 1954
5 - 6 Dec 53
11 Controllers and 29 FtrCOps visited 11 ACWS at Lac St Denis for contact training. Normal training positions taken and 17 live and 38 synthetic interceptions carried out by FtrC.
Pay increases for all personnel (Aux) promulgated.
11 - 12 Dec 53
3 FtrC and 5 FtrCOps to 11 ACWS. Weather inclement and no live interceptions attempted. 13 synthetic interceptions carried out with normal positions for FtrCOp training.
19 Dec 53
A Christmas Party for children of 1 R&C Unit and 2402 Sqn was held in the afternoon when presents were distributed and F/O JW Haley acted as Santa Claus. Approximately 150 children were at this party.
17 Dec 53 - 5 Jan 54
Squadron standdown.
5 Jan 54
Seven FtrC passed evaluation in Phase 2 of Controller training, effective November 53.
12 Jan 54
F/L JM Daley taken on strength in Supply Branch.
16 - 17 Jan 54
11 FtrC and 12 FtrCOps visited 11 ACWS, Lac St Denis for contact training. Weather and roads both bad. No live interceptions carried out, but 31 synthetic intercepts completed.
23 - 24 Jan 54
8 of the new course of FtrC visited 11 ACWS for familiarization, three lectures given and controllers were shown the various positions they will be manning in the future.
26 Jan 54
F/L DH Webb, a qualified controller and ex-Regular Force, taken on strength of the squadron.
29 Jan 54
19 officers transferred from their original branches to the Controllers branch. Squadron informed that qualifying examinations will be held next year for the Auxiliary.
30 -31 Jan 54
19 FtrC and 18 FtrCOps to 11 ACWS for contact training. Six of the FtrC were of the new course and attended for familiarization only. 12 successful live interceptions carried out, and only seven synthetic owing to unserviceability of synthetic equipment.
6 - 7 Feb 54
7 FtrC and 21 FtrCOps visited 11 ACWS for contact training. 7 live interceptions carried out. No synthetic. FrtCOps preparing for March trade examinations and heavier schedule of lectures now in force.
9 Feb 54
F/L FE Johnstone, late adjutant of this squadron, transferred from Auxiliary to Supplementary Reserve owing to pressure of civilian business. A presentation was given to this officer from the squadron on his leaving.
Sgt LGE Denoncourt promoted to Flight Sergerant (FtrCOp).
24 Feb 54
F/L DA Skelly and F/L HR Merritt granted special duty at 11 ACWS, Lac St Denis. F/L Skelly for five days and F/L Merritt for fourteen. Both officers in addition to contact training will be noting changes in surveillance handling for future training programme of the squadron.
27 - 28 Feb 54
8 FtrC and 18 FtrCOps visited 11 ACWS for contact training. Roads are beginning to break up and some difficulty was found with lighter vehicles making the hills. Normal training was carried out and 13 live interceptions were completed.
6 Mar 54
8 of the new course of FtrC visited 11 ACWS for familiarization.
14 of the old controllers passed the second phase of FtrC training.
13 - 14 Mar 54
8FtrC and 21 FtrCOps to Lac St Denis for contact training. 17 live interceptions carried out and 35 synthetic. FtrCOps took all normal positions.
19 - 21 Mar 54
6 FtrC and 7 FtrCOps to 11 ACWS with 2450 ACWS (Aux). Secondary exercise carried out, no live interceptions by this squadron. FtrCOps in usual positions in conjunction with 2450 ACWS.
27 - 28 Mar 54
7 of the new FtrC visited Lac St Denis for familiarization.
28 Mar 54
Flight Lieutenants and Flying Officers wrote trade and GSK examinations respectively for qualifying exams.
4 Apr 54
F/L wrote GSK and F/O wrote trade exams for qualifying examinations (Auxiliary).
10 - 11 Apr 54
7 FtrC and 19 FtrCOps visited Lac St Denis for contact training. All normal positions held by FtrCOps. FtrC carried out 11 live and 32 synthetic interceptions.
29 Apr 54
1 airwomen passed Group 2 FtrCOp trade examination, and four airwomen passed Group 1 in the same trade.
1 - 2 May 54
10 FtrC and 15 FtrCOps to 11 ACWS for contact training. 8 live interceptions completed. Usual positions held by FrtCOps. Teams made up for sports in gymnasium this weekend.
11 May 54
Recruiting started for RTTP (B) in FtrCOp trade. 11 AC2s taken on strength for Winter training.
16 May 54
Squadron participated (74%) in AOC's Inspection parade of Auxiliary at Fletcher's Field Montreal. After the parade eleven officers to RCAF Station St Hubert for a reception by AOC in Officers' mess at that station.
20 May 54
Inspection of squadron by Group Commander. Parade and inspection held at 438 (F) Sqn (Aux) Urban HQ, after which squadron returned to their own HQ for inspection by Group officers of individual sections. Reception held in Officers' Mess for inspecting officers following the inspection.
24 May 54
Queen's Birthday.
29 - 30 May 54
9 FtrC and 18 FtrCOps visited 11 ACWS, Lac St Denis for contact training. All normal positions held by FtrCOps. 6 live interceptions carried out by FtrC.
29 May 54
12 further AC2's taken on strength for Winter training RTTP(B) for FtrCOp trade.