Historical Narrative
2402 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Winnipeg, Manitoba
1 Dec 1954 to 31 May 1955
DECEMBER 1954
Preparations going forward for Trade Board written Dec 20th. P/O DPM Murray, Tech Tel, promoted to F/O effective June 54. Normal Routine carried out until Christmas stand-down.
JANUARY 1955
Normal parades commenced January 4th. F/O Morrison AS/Ftr C promoted F/L. Cap SV Collins & Cap J Rynning, USAF, 916th AC&W Squadron, Beausejour paid a liaison visit to this unit. Sgt Spencer commissioned F/L Tech Tel. RTTP(B) Conference held at 3052 TTU January 9th; 2402 representatives included: S/L Grant, F/L Johnson, F/O J John and F/O DPM Murray. Initial plans for coming summer were discussed. Synthetic exercises carried. Crews to 916th AC&W Sqn for weekend training. Local conference re results of RTTP(B) initial planning January 11th. AW Lenz, FtrCOp (1) accepted URTP as Messing Officer January 13th. Wing Conference 1400 hrs January 16th re Indoctrination Course. Synthetic exercises carried out for training of Controllers & Fighter COps. Trade test results showed: 1 A/W & 1 A/M FtrCOp obtained Group 2 - 1 Cpl Communications Tech (G) Group 3. Normal routine carried on. Exercise with 402 Sqn Technicians calibrating Radar equipment; transmitter periodically u/s. Survey of equipment held as serviceable by 2402 indicates lack of initiative on part of technical section. Instructions brought forth with view to correcting this situation. TPS-501 still being worked on.
FEBRUARY 1955
Plans for an Airborne demonstration of electronic counter measures by an A/C of 31st Air Division, Minneapolis and vist to A/C planned for afternoon & evening of 8th and all day of 9th. A/C became U/S and air demonstration and ground inspection cancelled. F/L Howard, Supply, transferred 3052 TTU; F/L Livingston, Supply, transferred 2402 from 17 Wing HQ. Routine training carried out. Personnel transferred to indoctrination course for 1 month training. Conference at 17 Wing HQ re training on February 24th attended by S/L Grant. F/L Knox-Leet from ADC HQ, representing Personnel & Accounts gave out much clarifying information. S/L Evans & F/L Bateman from ADC HQ visited 17 Wing HQ & 2402 Sqn to discuss operational matters. S/L Evans advised that the Building as now planned was too small for Squadron establishment and revised plans should be re-submitted. Work was to be started on this immediately; S/L Evans to have copy of revised plans. AMES-11 Convoy #2 received from Halifax with several damaged items. F/O DPM Murray, Tech Tel, transferred 2424 AC&W Sqn (Aux), Hamilton. Crews to 916th AC&W Sqn for weekend training. Normal routine & synthetic exercises.
MARCH 1955
Mr Richard Rothermel, 916th AC&W Sqn Tech Representative worked on 15-JID (C) which arrived at 2402 in very poor condition; UCR action being taken. Normal Routine training and preparations for Trade Board to be written March 20th. Visit from 17 Wing Staff Officers who expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the A for P for building reconstruction & renovation. Building is admittedly very poor both in layout and in structural condition. Routine basic & advanced training. Crews at 916th AC&W for weekend training. Radar and communications equipment operating normally. F/L Sowerby, Chief Controller, attached 17 Wing HQ for liaison; F/L Riddle assuming duties of Chief Controller.
APRIL 1955
Preparations going forward for Summer Camp. Originally intended for Cold Lake, Alta, then changed to RCAF Station Senneterre. At present dates are 2-17 July inclusive. Normal routine both basic & advanced. Crew to 916th AC&W Sqn for weekend training. F/O John OC Support, paid a liaison visit to 31st Air Division, Minneapolis and gathered much helpful information re training, etc. For Controllers and Ftr COps F/L MacFie attached to 2402 as C Tech O temporarily. Trade tests results showed: 1 A/W & 1 A/M FtrCOp obtained Group 3 & 1 Cpl qualified for remuster to FtrCOp Group 3, 1 A/M CommTech (G) Group 1.
MAY 1955
Concentration on Basic trainees in preparation for Trade Test Board in June. Summer Camp Directive laid out & forwarded as directed. Final transportation arrangements going forward. Approximately 40 personnel in all will attend. Air Force Day meeting held at Station Winnipeg 12 May attended by F/L John. 2402 committed to displaying AMES-11. Excessive work & effort put forth for remainder of month to prepare AMES-11 for display. F/L Galpin, CTechO, transferred to Toronto and applying for transfer to 2400 Sqn decision pending. F/O Pharoah, AS/FtrC joined Regular Force as Navigator. AC2 Borne also went PF.
Strength as of 31 May 55 - 28 Officers, 53 Airmen, 34 Airwomen - Total 115.
(VP Grant) S/L
CO 2402 AC&WS (Aux) Winnipeg, Man