2403 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary)
Calgary, Alta.

National Archives of Canada

The Squadron has been progressing rapidly and the morale of the unit is very good. Training of our personnel has been very well planned and the lectures given by F/L Clarke, F/L Handford, F/O Simpson, F/O Bewell, F/S Dobbs and Cpl Dielschneider have been very well given.

A cocktail party was held in the Officers' Mess in honour of A/C Kerr from 1600 hours to 2200 hours. The wives of the officers were present and were all introduced to the Air Officer Commanding. This was A/C Kerr's last visit to Calgary prior to his transfer from Tactical Air Group Headquarters to Training Command Headquarters as Air Officer Commanding.

A Wing Parade was held on Dec 7, 1952 the parade being made up of personnel from 403 (FB) Squadron and 2403 AC&W Squadron both Auxiliary and Support. The 403 (FB) Squadron Auxiliary Band was also in attendance. After a complete inspection of the wing by S/L Sargenia a March Past was conducted with W/C Freeman, Commanding Officer of 403 (FB) Squadron, taking the salute.

On Dec 11, 1952, 2403 Squadron personnel wrote Trade Tests applicable to their respective trades.

Christmas was drawing near and everyone seemed to have picked up the Christmas spirit. Plans were being made for social gatherings in all the messes.

To prove the good-will existing between the two Squadrons, AW1 Powers, a member of 403 (FB) Squadron, baked a lovely cake suitably decorated in keeping with the festive season and presented same to S/L Sargenia, Commanding Officer of 2403 AC&W Squadron, with the good wishes for a successful unit and Seasons Greetings to all its personnel.

A Stand Down was called for the Squadron for the Christmas Holiday from Dec 28, 1952 to Jan 4, 1953.

During the Christmas holiday appropriate social functions were held in all the messes and everyone had a real good time.

Jan 4, 1953, was the first parade night of the New Year and everybody started back to work with the intention to make 2403 AC&W Squadron "The Best in the West".

During the months that followed several new recruits were enlisted in the unit, there were also some new support personnel posted to the unit. As is the case in all auxiliary squadrons there were some of our personnel that had to leave due to circumstances beyond their control. (Refer to Appendix "A" attached.

On Jan 8, 1953, the squadron had a visit by W/C Hill Chief Signals Officer from Tac A Gp HQ, Edmonton, Alta. W/C Hill made a tour of the unit and was quite impressed. A discussion was later held with the Commanding Officer, dealing with the needs and problems of the squadron.

On Jan 11, 1953, a Wing Parade was held made up of personnel of 403 and 2403 Squadrons both Auxiliary and Support. The 403 (FB) Squadron Auxiliary Band was also in attendance. After the inspection of the Wing by S/L Sargenia Commanding Officer of 2403 AC&W Squadron a March Past was conducted with W/C Freeman, Commanding Officer of 403 (FB) Squadron, taking the salute.

Drill is still being given to Squadron personnel for the first hour on Sunday mornings under the direction of Sgt Murray the Squadron Disciplinarian.

On Jan 18, 1953, the personnel were divided into two flights for drill purposes, the advance flight being taken by the Squadron Adjutant, F/L Parkyn, and the new recruits by Sgt Murray.

On Jan 22, 1953, the Squadron was visited by the following officers from Tac A Gp HQ:

W/C Delaney
S/L Powers
S/L Garnett
S/L Queale

A general discussion was held in conjunction with training of the personnel and the coming summer camp.

The airmen and airwomen have their club meetings once a month and really take an interest in their club and the facilities planned such as social funtions etc.

On Jan 31, 1953, an exercise was carried out with 403 and 402 Squadrons. This exercise was called exercise "FURLINE". It is regretted to state that 2403 AC&W Squadron did not have a very successful day as their equipment went unserviceable.

Feb 6, 1953, S/L Sargenia and F/L Gray left for Edmonton to attend a Commanding Officers' Conference at Group Headquarters.

On Feb 8, 1953, movies were shown to both Squadron personnel in the recreation hall. One of the movies was on the fighting which took place on "D" day and the other movie was on Jet Aircraft. Both pictures were enjoyed by all the personnel and was a change from the regular day's routine.

On the return of S/L Sargenia and F/L Gray from the CO's Conference at Tac Air Group HQ, a meeting was called of all Section Commanders and S/L Sargenia reviewed the proceedings of the conference.

The Commanding Officer advised that Summer Camp was slated for Whitehorse for the year 1953.

On Feb 21, 1953, a farewell party was held in the Officers' Mess for F/L T Richardson who had been accepted by the RCAF for a short term commission as a Fighter Controller. The above officer was presented with a silver mug and his wife was presented with a bouquet of roses.

On Mar 1, 1953, a band concert was held and all personnel attended. During the program a talk was given by W/C D Freeman, Commanding Officer 403 (FB) Squadron and S/L G Sargenia, Commanding Officer 2403 AC&W Squadron on the importance of the Auxiliary units and also the experience derived from the training at Summer Camp which is an actual operational exercise.

While plans were going ahead for Summer Camp at Whitehorse 2403 Squadron sent two officers, F/L Clarke, Chief Controller, and F/O Bewell, Technical Officer, to Whitehorse to make a survey and pick a suitable spot for the unit to set up its equipment. Upon their return a report was sent to Tac A Gp HQ, pointing out that conditions were not suitable and we were later informed that the camp location for this unit was changed to Watson Lake.

On Mar 19, 1953 Trade Tests were written by all eligible personnel.

The following personnel from Tac A Gp HQ, visited this unit during the month of Mar 1953.

S/L Powers
S/L Garnett
F/L Lepp
F/L Hermanson.

At the request of Tac A Gp HQ, the following personnel were recommended to represent this Unit at the Coronation.

AW1 CD Sutherland
LAC RM Nagata
LAC JG Smith
LAC DG Odell

Information was received on Mar 9, 1953, to the effect that AW1 Sutherland had been chosen from 2403 AC&W Squadron to be a member of the RCAF Coronation Contingent. The big job of obtaining the necessary equipment for AW1 Sutherland was turned over to F/L MA Long, (WP) Officer of 2403 Squadron, and it might be added here that F/L Long did a grand job.

Practical Trade Tests were held on Mar 22, 1953 for all personnel of this Unit.

A signal was received Apr 18, 1953 to the effect that the Summer Camp planned for Watson Lake for this unit was cancelled and that this Unit would be with a unit in ADC, but the exact location was not known. All personnel were advised accordingly and D.26 Clearance Certificates were completed on all personnel going to summer camp and forwarded to Tac A Gp HQ.

It is advised that this news really boosted the morale of this squadron's personnel.

During Apr 1953 this unit had a visit by personnel from 3052 TTU Edmonton, Alta, and they really enjoyed their two days visit here.

On May 7, 1953, this Unit was honoured with a visit by the new Air Officer Commanding Tac A Gp HQ, A/C Coleman.

A Mess Dinner was held in his honour, this was followed by a briefing of the Squadrons by S/L Sargenia, F/L Clarke and F/L Handford.

An inspection of the Unit was carried out by A/C Coleman and he congratulated S/L Sargenia on his handling of the Squadron and also the progress of the unit.

On May 10, 1953 a Wing Parade was held made up of the personnel of 403 (FB) Squadron and 2403 AC&W Squadron both Auxiliary and Support. S/L Sargenia, Commanding Officer of 2403 AC&W Squadron was presented with the Canadian Forces Decoration by W/C Freeman. This decoration represented 12 years service with the RCAF.

On May 31, 1953, a demonstration was given to personnel of 2403 AC&W Squadron by LAC Ames, Medical Assistant, on Artificial Respiration.

Recruiting is still a big problem but every effort is being made to enlist the services of personnel to fill vacancies on the establishment.

The present strength of the unit is as follows:

(GE Sargenia) S/L,
CO 2403 AC&WU (Aux) RCAF,
Calgary, Alta.