Edgar, ON

1957 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


NARRATIVE REPORT
31 AIRCRAFT CONTROL & WARNING SQUADRON
EDGAR, ONTARIO
Period 1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58, Inclusive

1 Dec 57

Operational Strength

Officers

20

Senior NCOs

4

Junior NCOs

22

Airmen

84

Airwomen

27

Total

157

1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

Auxiliary Support.

Auxiliary weekend training was carried out regularly with the following squadrons:

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

1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

Courses - Cross Training - Ground Training

Three officers attended the Controllers Proficiency Course Cold Lake, three attended Fighter Controllers course Tyndall AFB, Florida and two received USAF-RCAF Cross Training during this period. Two formal trade advancement courses for airmen were held at this Unit 49 Unit, 10 3 ADCC and 5 GObC personnel attended.

1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

SAC Overflys - A total of 176 SAC Overflys took place during this period with intercept action being taken against approximately 74. File S55-03-05.

1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

During this period three officers transferred in and one officer was transferred out.

Dec 57

Received rented 102A telephone equipment.

4 Dec 57 to 26 Feb 58

Exercise Cross Talk - The "Crosstalk" exercises were carried out, with the objective of providing practice in Broadcast Control procedures for all 3 ADCC units. The exercises posed the problem of friendly fighters being airborne and under close control as a result of scramble orders issued upon Pinetree pickup of the Faker Force, after the fighters were airborne the loss of VHF A/G/A communications, due to ECM was simulated. The interceptors switched to the CBC broadcast frequency and the remainder of the control information was transmitted by the GCI stations using the CBC transmitters at Toronto and Ottawa. The Faker Force for the exercises consisted of a mass raid of CF-100s from Station Uplands. The Fakers proceeded to a predetermined turning point near the northern limits of Pinetree coverage then flew a southerly penetration route. Two Crosstalk exercises were conducted during this period. Crosstalk II on 4 Dec 57 and Crosstalk III on 26 Feb 58. The exercises went according to plan with a few minor exceptions. The tactical results were very discouraging. File: S55-00-16.

19 Dec 57

33922 F/O SR Guylar assumes duties of Security Officer.

20 Jan 58

216388 F/O JV Guntensperger assumes duties of Ground Defence Officer vice 29453 F/L MB Neilson. Completed installation of AN/GPS-T2 Radar Signal Simulator by RCAF personnel under supervision of Mr. E Kelly of Union Switch and Signal Company.

31 Jan 58

Officer’s Mess Dinner - In attendance: A/C DAR Bradshaw and Commanding Officers of all 3 ADCC stations.

20 Feb 58

Visit of the RCAF Staff College.

Mar 58

Annual overhaul of telecommunications equipment by Northern Electric Company.

2 Mar 58

36912 F/L RJ Cutting assumes duties of COpsO during the absence of 10128 S/L RM Beer.

7 Mar 58

10128 S/L RM Beer assumes duties of COpsO vice 36912 F/L RJ Cutting.

10 Mar 58

30209 S/L RT Keill assumed temporary command of RCAF Station Edgar during the absence of 249 W/C H Bryant.

19 Mar 58

33922 F/L SR Guylar is appointed Intelligence Office vice 36912 F/L RJ Cutting.

19 Mar to 30 Apr 58

Exercise "Big Jim" 19 Mar, 9 Apr and 30 Apr 58. The "Big Jim" exercises were originated by the USAF 30th Air Division with the object of improving joint RCAF-USAF air defence coordination. The fakers usually consisted of T33 a/c taking off from USAF bases and proceeding to a turning point near the northern edge of the Pinetree coverage. Upon reaching the IP the Fakers would then penetrate in the direction of vital target areas. Tactical action consisted of USAF interceptors scrambled against the penetrating tracks upon receipt of early warning information from Canadian GCIs. Approximately have of the interceptor force was usually handed over to 31 AC&W for control, with the object of intercepting the Fakers as far north as possible. These exercises achieved the aim of improving joint USAF-RCAF air defence operations. A total of three "Big Jim" exercises were carried out during this period, 19 Mar 58, 9 Apr 58 and 30 Apr 58. File: S55-03-11.

Apr 58

Teletype Switchboard. Message Centre terminals rewired.

3 Apr 58

249 W/C H Bryant resumes command of RCAF Station Edgar vice 30209 S/L RT Keill.

16 Apr 58

Exercise Cueball. The "Cueball" series of exercises were originated by ADC HQ and designed to test the air defence effectiveness of one and three sectors when employed against penetrating tracks with Limited Dewline and Mid Canada Line.

Visit of Barrie Chamber of Commerce.

23 Apr 58

Visit of Brigadier General GT Edwinson, Commanding Officer, 30th Air Division, USAF.

24 Apr 58

Completed installation of AN/GPA-16 and AN/GPA-36 SIF Equipment by RCAF personnel.

30 Apr 58

10128 S/L RM Beer assumes temporary command of RCAF Station Edgar during the absence on TD of 249 W/C H Bryant.

May 58

AM/GNH/501 Recorders Cabinets modified. Installation of M28 Teleprinter and Televiewer for Inter Sector TT telling.

3 May 58

249 W/C H Bryant resumes command of RCAF Station Edgar vice 10128 S/L RM Beer.

31 May 58

Operational Strength

Officers

22

WOs

1

Senior NCOs

4

Junior NCOs

24

Airmen

74

Airwomen

27

Total

152

Submitted by:

(H Bryant) W/C,
Commanding Officer,
RCAF Station Edgar,
Edgar, Ontario.