Historical Narrative
2402 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Winnipeg, Manitoba
1 June 1953 to 30 November 1953
This historical record covers the period 1st June 1953, until 30th November 1953.
JUNE
2402 participated in a very successful Cornation Day Parade. An informal gathering was held at all Urban Center Messes during the afternoon and evening. S/L Sargenia, CO 2403 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Calgary, visited here June 7th. Preparations were going forward for summer camp. Trade tests held June 21st. P/O DM Murray taken on strength as a Tech/Tel Officer June 18th. AW1 Garnett returnd from Clinton after successfully completing course.
JULY
F/O Galpin, our Chief Tech/O promoted to F/L July 1st. On the 4th of the month Squadron departed via CNR for summer camp at Edgar, Ont. July 6th - briefing from F/L Shore, training Officer. Shift assignments and orientation carried out. Address of welcome July 7th from W/C Vinnicombe, CO, Station Edgar. G/C Turner visited station from Rockcliffe July 10th. Exercise got under way. Visit from A/C Coleman, W/C Ganderton, W/C Hill and and F/L Cummings July 11th. S/L Grant attended a COS' Conference at St Hubert, July 13th. Station Edgar held a dance for Auxiliary Squadrons and all concerned should be credited with its being an all round success. A Dining-in-night was held July 16th for Auxiliary Officers which climaxed a very interesting and informative summer camp; full report of which has already been submitted. Personnel at Edgar, being favourably impressed with the Squadron's efficiency, called upon us for extra shifts. Long hours were thus put in but it was felt that the knowledge and experience gained more than compensated for the time and effort involved. Squadron departed via CNR for Winnipeg the morning of the 18th.
AUGUST
Summer stand down, barring the promotions boards which were held and submitted prior to August 17th. Results of trade tests showed 4 airmen and 2 airwomen successful.
SEPTEMBER
First day of regular fall parades - Sept 1st - with a good attendance. Fall classes,etc, were organized. Sgt Hurtubise promoted F/S, LAC Loughead promoted CPL, 3 airwomen: namely McKenzie, Genik and Jensen, promoted CPLs on a "whilst so employed basis". Airforce Day held Sept 19th. The AMES-II set up and operating at SE section of the apron at No 3 & 4 Hangers, estimated 2000 persons passed through convoy between commencement and closing down; the line up at one time numbering 53. Guards were posted to prevent people approaching too close to rotating antenna. Display closed down at 1700 hours.
Pre-briefing was held 22 Sep for Exercise "Lynx-Cat" with Section Commanders and NCOS concerned in attendance. Operation took place as scheduled. A few technical difficulties were encountered and the weather was not as good as it could have been for complete success of the operation, at least from a radar stand point, it was not too good because A/C were flying too low to be picked up. A full report has been made and consensus of opinion was that more exercises of this type would, as more practice was obtained, eliminate many of the difficulties that crop up. Intelligence personnel watched operation. A meeting was held to discuss and criticize operation and find ways to better conditions. Section heads made narrative reports to the CO as well. It was felt that more reliable communications were necessary for the success of such operations.
Two FtrCOps sat for trade tests. Two A/C from 402 Sqn were made available to 2402 for intercepts on Thursday evenings.
OCTOBER
Cpl Jones, our PF Technician, promoted to Sgt, Oct 1st. Agenda submitted to #17 Wing HQ for COs Conference on Nov 7 & 8th. G/C Ingalls, CO, RCAF Station Winnipeg, made an inspection of Buildings Oct 9th. F/L Basson attended conference in Ottawa on RTTPB Oct 18. Army personnel from #6 AAOC paid a liaison visit to Sqn, Oct 29th. HF Communications scheduled was commenced with 2403 AC&WS (Aux) Calgary, Oct 19th.
NOVEMBER
Exercise planned with 418 Sqn Edmonton cancelled due to weather. G/C Turner & W/C Scott visited Sqn Nov 5. Cpl McKenzie rec'd group 2 with 71% (Highest mark for Reserve in Canada). 2402 participated CO's Conference Edmonton Nov 7 & 8. Official date change over from CanAirTac to ADC, St Hubert, Que 16 Nov. Lost two Support NCO's & one LAC. New PF F/S arrived Nov 30. TOS 1 Officer, 9 airmen; SOS 4 airmen and 6 airwomen.
(VP Grant) S/L
CO 2402 AC&WS (Aux) Winnipeg, Man