Edgar, ON

1. General

It is proposed to outline the activities of 31 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron during the above period under the following headings:

1. Activities of Sections under the CTechSO,
2. Activities of Sections under the COpsO, and
3. Activities of Sections under the CAdO.

2. Activities of Sections under the CTechO

1 Dec 54

Installation of prototype of back-up search radar AN/FPS-502, started 22 Nov 54, continuing.

Ames 11 diesel vehicle, #61K65-A43, transferred to RCAF Station St. Hubert, authority QTO 589 18 Nov 54.

F/L LL Simpson relinquished SSO duties.

Ambulance, 30J6-A52, involved in an accident in which the Service driver was not at fault.

Flight trials of AN/FPS-502 commenced.

Junior Sicard Blower, vehicle #13E45-A53, transferred to RCAF Station Sydney, NS, authority QTO 501 10 Jan 55.

30477 F/L R MacLean assumed position of SSO vice F/L LL Simpson.

During this period the SSO was appointed MEO, Bar Officer - Officer’s Mess, Fire Committee member, Attending Officer at Barrie Magistrates Court, Honorary PMC Sgt.’s Mess, and officer i/c Airmen’s Barracks.

Bus, 15 passenger #48A26-C51 was involved in an accident. This was a workshop accident and the driver was not charged with negligence.

AF/ISG-98, Height-finder installation #1, was removed from the West Tower and Height-finder AN/TPS-501 was installed in its place.

Liaison visit by SSO to 54 GObC resulting in several outstanding supply problems being settled. Bulldozer, vehicle #223H24-B51, transferred from CMHQ to RCAF Station Edgar, authority QTO 5710 21 Apr 55.

AN/TPS-501 lorry, Reo tractor and trailer vehicle numbers 6B69-B51 and 6K77-A51, transferred to 6RD Trenton, authority QTO 5327 27 Dec 54.

F/L MacLean, SSO, with FS Lacroix, Sup Tech Supr., visited #1 SD Weston.

Liaison visit by F/L MacLean, SSO, to Department of Defence Production and Department of Public Printing and Stationery.

AN/TPS-501 lorry, Reo tractor and trailer vehicle numbers 14B69-B51 and 14K77-A51, transferred to 6RD Trenton. Authority QTO 5327 27 Dec 54.

F/L Hodgin, ADCHQ, visited Supply Section on a requested informal tour.

Removal of prototype installation, back-up search radar AN/FPS-502 completed. This installation to be installed at #1 RC&S, Clinton, for training purposes.

Four station wagons, vehicle numbers 485A10-D55, 496A10-D55, 510A10-D55 and 503A10-D55 transferred from 6 RD Trenton to RCAF Station Edgar. Authority QTO 5639 28 Apr 55.

F/L MacLean, SSO, visited #13X Depot.

DM auditors carried out annual audit of Supply and ME Sections.

3. Activities of Sections under the COpsO

Auxiliary training was carried out on weekends with the following Squadrons:

400 (Aux.) Fighter Squadron
411 (Aux.) Fighter Squadron
420 (Aux.) Fighter Squadron
2400 (Aux.) AC&W Squadron
2424 (Aux.) AC&W Squadron

Weekend operational training was quite successful; Auxiliary Controllers attendance was satisfactory. There was a lack of Fighter Control Operators to achieve successful training.

2. Operational Exercises

Exercise Dry Run - 18 Feb 55

This exercise did not involve the use of aircraft. "Canned" data was used to simulate actual conditions. Simulated forces comprised of DB 20 and DB 30 aircraft. (Which are comparable to US B-29 and B-47). Ops Order #22/54 File S4-7.

This exercise was a synthetic exercise to ascertain and check the effectiveness of AC&W procedures in this sector. File S4-7

This exercise was a SAC Overfly exercise with CF-100’s employed in a day fighter role. File S4-7

This exercise was a synthetic exercise to ascertain and check the effectiveness of AC&W procedures. File S4-7.

This exercise was a SAC Overfly exercise composed of 64 B-47 aircraft. File S4-2-1.

3. Operations General

Performance Check - AN/FPS-502

AN/FPS-502 prototype Radar was located at this unit from the first week in February until the first week in April. The purpose was to ascertain the operational performance and maintenance characteristics of this equipment. Dr. WL Ross of SORO Staff ADCHQ was the Project Officer. ADC Operations Order #2/55. File S4-4.

The Army Anti-Aircraft Command at Picton, Ontario, conducted a two week integrated Army/RCAF Radar Operator course at Edgar on the 17 Jan 55. The second course commenced 1 Feb 55; these courses were for Canadian Army personnel.

In March this unit went on one room operations and 3 ADCC assumed the duties and responsibilities of manning the Sector Operations Room.

This section was visited in March by the RCAF Staff College course.

4. Training

F/O Anthony attended the ADC Meteorology course at ADCHQ.

During this period two officers received cross training with the Hamilton Fighter Squadron:

The following officers received cross training at North Bay:

The following officer received training at 54 GObC, Barrie:

20074 F/L TA Shore attended the MG2 Fire Control Course at North Bay.

35735 F/O GW Hunter attended the USAF Controllers Course held at Tyndall AFB, Florida.

5. Trade Advancement

During the past six months four courses have been conducted for FtrCop personnel. These formal short courses have resulted in a definite increase in the number of personnel passing their Trade Exams. The percentage of passes for the Dec 54 and Mar 55 Trade Exams was 86.0% compared to 54% for the previous six months. The FtrCop Phase Trade Tests results during this period was 84.6% passes with an average mark of 72.7%. Four airmen from other units have attended these courses.

In March a Projectionists’ course was given to eleven Air Force and 2 Civilian personnel of this unit, resulting in 100% passes.

6. General

Operational strength as of 30 Nov 54.

Operational strength as of 31 May 55.

Three Controllers were transferred out.

Four Controllers were transferred in.

One Controller was released.

7. Appointments

The Auxiliary training commitments on each weekend have dovetailed in quite nicely with normal day-to-day routine and have not affected, to any appreciable degree, the administrative standards maintained on the station.

2. Personnel

Officers or Civilians of officer status visiting this station during the period 1 Dec 54 to 31 May 55 (inclusive) are listed below:

It is only by misemployment of other tradesmen that there is even as good a security set-up as we now have. The regular security personnel are extremely well-motivated, but misemployed tradesmen can only be categorized as "bodies". Of late, it has been necessary to re-evaluate our security setup and, as a result, it has been decided to concentrate fully on security of the Operations Building with a normal patrol on the station which is more for disciplinary than security reasons.

The ease with which an undermanned and under protected station could be infiltrated by enemy agents was strikingly illustrated when a security exercise was carried out by selected Canadian Corps of Intelligence men on the weekend of 14/15 May. Most of them managed to elude the guards by walking on to the station grounds through the wooded area which is unprotected by fences or by scaling the small fence part way around the station. They gained access to the Operations Building without too much trouble (due to lack of patrolling guards) and could have done considerable damage, undetected, if they had actually been enemy agents. Through the alertness of the guards on duty at the time some of the infiltrators were stopped but there are definite limitations to what can be done by a handful of guards who are uneasy already about the fact that the external security is practically non-existent.

There is complete satisfaction with all of the Security Police personnel (except one who is being considered for release or remuster). The Corps of Commissionaire personnel are an exceptionally efficient body of men.

4. Discipline

There has been a general improvement in station discipline during the past six months. As a result of a general tightening up of enforcement of existing regulations, the number of charges laid have been reduced from 60 in the period 1 Jun - 30 Nov 54 to 39 for the period 1 Dec 54 - 31 May 55. There is still a strong resentment by airmen over the apparent injustice existing in the amounts of punishment which can be meted out to airmen as compared to airwomen. This has been pointed out to superior authority on a number of occasions and recommendations for changes have been made.

Hereunder is a summary of Service offences committed at this station between 1 Dec 54 - 31 May 55 (inclusive):

No single accommodation is available for officers or Senior NCOs but the female officers are occupying a small married quarter as a temporary measure. There is absolutely no accommodation for Auxiliary personnel on weekends or during the summer camp period.

The interest taken in indoor sports is still quite a disappointment to those in authority; thus, the Sports Centre does not get as much use as might be expected; it does, however, serve a useful purpose for those inclined to participate in basketball, volleyball, badminton and other competitive sports. The Sports Centre contains a very good library and reading room which is open approximately 11 hours a day.

The bowling alley has been used quite constantly during the bowling season which ended on 7 May 55. Some damage was done to one of the alleys by a dripping steam pipe but the alley was not ruined and will be repaired when annual maintenance on those alleys is carried out during the summer months. In the fall, the responsibilities for operating the bowling alley, including day-to-day maintenance, will be made the responsibility of the NCO i/c RSpecs.

There is very little interest in the indoor rifle range but with the building of a skeet range interest in firearms will be re-activated, it is felt.

The Station Theatre has consistently gone "in the hole" on general operating expenses over the last six months due to competition from television, hockey and other sports events, plus the fact that the station is located so close to built up areas. The Station Fund is prepared to subsidize the Theatre simply to have another entertainment outlet. At one time, the installation of 35-mm projection equipment was proposed by the Department of National Defence but its use on this station could not conscientiously be recommended for various reasons, chief amongst which was the prohibitive cost of modifying the present theatre facilities to conform to regulations laid down by the Ontario Theatre Board.

The snack bar, grocery store, beauty parlor and barber shop are functioning and providing adequate service to station personnel and their dependents. Since the grocery store came under new management on 1 Apr 55, the service it provides has been much greater, as prices of goods being sold have been reduced to almost chain store prices.

The hobby shop organization is one of which the station may justifiably be proud. It is considered by station visitors to be the best in operation at any AC&W Squadron and is run by a very energetic committee. The woodworking shop is equipped with every conceivable type of power tool and the hobbycraft shop has every facility (including stock for sale) to meet the requirements of hobbyists.

Since the last historical record submission, the Officer’s Mess ante-room and bar have undergone considerable renovation at no expense to the public. All mess bars have now been renovated and are considered to be well above the average in offering excellent facilities to users.

Due to restrictions placed on the selling of liquor in Corporal’s Messes, the Corporal’s Mess has degenerated, since 1 Jan 55, from what was the liveliest mess to the deadest mess. This ruling by higher authority was most unfortunate, as far as this station was concerned, as the Corporal’s Mess has always set an excellent example to other messes by the business-like manner in which it functioned and the decorum maintained by its members at all times.

The messes and institutes on this station are considered to be operating efficiently from an administrative and accounting point of view despite the totally inadequate establishment of 3 stewards (strength 2) to operate 5 separate organizations on a 7-day basis. It is simply impossible for any messes except the Airmen’s & Airwomen’s Club to pay for a steward from mess funds due to small profits made. It cannot be understood why this fact is not recognized and some definite steps taken to rectify this most unsatisfactory state. It is only by the misemployment of other tradesmen that the mess bars can function; in fact, misemployment is becoming so difficult that the Sergeant’s and Corporal’s Messes are now on a roster basis using their own people to do bar steward duties. This is not good either from a morale or efficiency point of view.

6. Medical and Dental Services

The medical and dental services on this station areas good as can be expected with the limited facilities provided. Actually, the hospital is more of a "Sick Bay" due to non-availability of staff to operate it on an around-the-clock basis. Unfortunately, due to leave, courses and TD, the SMO was not available for approximately 3 months in 1955 but this gap was filled in quite well by the Nursing Sister and by the employment of a civilian medical practitioner from Barrie. A Dental Officer is available at the station only one month in every three. In between these three-month visits, dental treatment is provided by the Dental Clinic at the RCOC, Camp Borden.

The following is a summary of sick parades and admissions during the period 1 Dec 54 - 31 May 55 (inclusive):

A strict check on the narcotics stock and narcotics register is maintained by the CAdO who does spot checks at irregular intervals. Up to the present time, everything in this respect has been found to be in order.

7. Chaplain Services

Chaplain services for Roman Catholics and Protestants are considered to be as satisfactory as can be supplied by part-time civilian clergymen.

Attendance at church services is not as satisfactory as it might be. Without the support of the married personnel on this unit, it might also be said that church services would be very sparsely attended. There seems to be a certain apathy amongst the younger element insofar as attendance at religious services is concerned. Possibly the provision of proper chapels would improve the church atmosphere and thus attract single airmen and airwomen out to Sunday services, but it is not felt that the lack of such chapels is the real cause.

8. Accounting Services

The accounting services remain at a good level of efficiency, despite the number of changes in staff and shortages in trained Clerks Accounting.

In Jan 55, F/O JR Sands (Accts) was replaced by F/O CJ Robertson (Accts) as SAO.

10. Messing

The standard of messing remains at a high level, due to the excellent management of the Mess Hall by the NCO i/c. This, despite the poor Service Cooks and FSAs provided. The real backbone of the messing staff aside from the NCO i/c is the civilian cooks, messmen and messwomen. They are doing a consistently excellent job.

11. Entertainment and Sports

An active sports and entertainment programme has been maintained. The following is a brief summary of station entertainment provided during the period 1 Dec 54 - 31 May 55 (inclusive):

Note: This does not include a great deal of entertainment held in the various messes.

During the festive season at Christmas and New Year’s, many forms of entertainment were provided to adults and children on the station, notably among which was the Children’s Christmas Party which was a real success. Money for the Christmas gifts was raised by holding a Monte Carlo night which proved quite adequate to provide the needed money.

The station hockey team this year was the best since the station opened in September, 1952. That team was most successful in exhibition and home games, winning the Orillia and District Hockey League championship and standing second in the Camp Borden Garrison League.

A girl’s and men’s basketball team were entered into local leagues this winter. After a creditable showing, the men’s team were eliminated in the playoffs. The women’s team managed to end up at the first of their league, but were finally eliminated in the playoffs.

Four bowling leagues were formed for the winter bowling season. This activity proved to be the most profitable from a participant point of view and created a good spirit of competition between various groups on the station.

The main activity in winter sports (outside of organized hockey) was broom-ball. Four teams were entered into the broom-ball league. A team was entered by the Officers, Senior NCOs, Corporals and Airmen. Winners of the league competition were the Airmen who played off with the Corporals for the cup.

Skiing and tobogganing proved to be popular winter sports with a good number of station personnel.

13. General

The following Investigations/Board of Inquiry were convened during this period:

The following airmen’s promotions were announced on 1 Apr 55:

Prepared by:

(RE Patterson) F/L
CAdO

Submitted:

(HC Vinnicombe) W/C
Commanding Officer
31 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Edgar, Ontario