Edgar, ON

1956 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


NARRATIVE REPORT
RCAF Station Edgar, Ontario

Period 1 Jun 56 to 30 Nov 56, Inclusive

31 May 56

Operational Strength

Officers

20

Warrant Officers

1

Senior NCOs

3

Junior NCOs

8

Airmen

117

Airwomen

18

Total

167

31 May 56 to 30 Nov 56

Auxiliary Support.

Auxiliary weekend training was carried out with the following squadrons:

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

31 May 56 to 30 Nov 56

Courses - Cross Training - Ground Training

One officers attended Controllers Proficiency Course, one attended the Fighter Controllers Course, and six received cross-training with AW(F) Squadrons, during this period. In October 50 FtrCops wrote trade examinations, there were 43 passes (86%) with an average mark of 64.7%.

31 May 56 to 30 Nov 56

SAC Overflys - A total of 98 overflys took place during this period with intercept action occurring against the majority of these overflys. File S4-26.

11 Jun 56

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

14 Jun 56

46935 F/O AS Atkinson assumed duties of Radar Officer vice F/L RJ Dunn who took over duties of Comm. Officer.

15 Jun 56 to 15 Sep 56

Summer Camp Training. Forty-one officers, twenty-five airmen and airwomen from 2400 (Aux.) AC&W Squadron attended summer camp training during this period. File S4-24-1.

18 Jun 56

12966 F/L A Harvey appointed COpsO vice 20074 F/L TA Shores. 249 W/C H Bryant resumed command of RCAF Station Edgar. 41567W F/O LE Barraud assumed the duties of Station Adjutant vice 49190W P/O MAB Pilgrim.

21 Jun 56

The COpsO 20074 F/L TA Shore, posted to IFTS. 12966 F/L A Harvey assumed the duties of COpsO.

25 Jun 56

49190W P/O MAB Pilgrim resumed duties of Station Adjutant.

27 Jun 56

CGE installation party arrived at the unit to commence installation of AN/FPS-6 height finder.

3 Jul 56

41567W F/O LE Barraud assumes the duties of CAdO during the absence of 17600 F/L JB Miller.

8 Jul 56 to 14 Jul 56

Visit. The Royal Canadian School of Artillery, two groups of officers and ORs. Purpose, familiarization training, telling and plotting procedures.

9 Jul 56 to 13 Jul 56

Militia Camp 1956 – AAORs from Picton, received GCI training during this period.

9 Jul 56

22110 S/L JH Cochrane assumed duties of COpsO vice 12966 F/L A Harvey. 17600 F/L JB Miller resumed duties as CAdO.

30 Jul 56

S/L GJ Rushton from AFHQ to supervise AN/GRC-27 UHF field trials.

1 Aug 56

Installation of AN/FPS-6 nearing completion. Equipment running and first targets picked up. 180 NM at 40,000 feet.

3 Aug 56

130655 F/L GA Pearce transferred to Station Edgar from the Toronto General Hospital as SMO on this date.

5 Aug 56 to 20 Sep 56

Seven UT/AS/FTRC from 2400 (Aux.) Squadron, received training during this period.

7 Aug 56

48116 F/L RJ Dunn assumed duties of CTSO during the absence of 30209 S/L RT Keill. Acceptance flight trials commenced. AN/FPS-6.

14 Aug 56

ECM Demonstration. This demonstration was carried out for DRB and DRML personnel, including mechanical, electronic, and communications jamming. File: S4-10

15 Aug 56 to 15 Nov 56

FPS-6 Equipment. This equipment was accepted 15 Aug 56. Training was carried on at this unit, from 18 Oct 56 to 14 Nov 56, for Techs and FtrCop personnel, on the maintenance end and the operation of this equipment. Equipment declared operational 15 Nov 56.

15 Aug 56

Flight trials for AN/FPS-6 completed. Equipment accepted.

16 Aug 56

First steel erection on new ME building extension.

20 Aug 56

49190W P/O MAB Pilgrim assumed duties as PAdO.

21 Aug 56

Northern Electric Company peaking team arrived at the unit. Commenced peaking of AN/FPS-3 and AN/GPX-7.

27 Aug 56

Old Piggott buildings at rear of ME Section were removed and the land cleared of debris and levelled. AN/FPS-3 off the air for peaking inspection.

28 Aug 56

AN/FPS-3 peaking inspection completed.

1 Sep 56

30209 S/L RT Keill resumed duties as CTSO.

2 Sep 56

Technician courses on the AN/FPS-6 commenced. Two courses of 12 technicians each were conducted for 5 weeks each. Mr. Leonard and Mr. Bowman of GE Syracuse, NY were the instructors. Mr. RW Bowslaugh was the CGE representative. Four Corporals attended the course from this unit. Second course terminated 12 Oct 56.

4 Sep 56

12966 F/L A Harvey assumed duties of COpsO vice 22110 S/L JH Cochrane.

10 Sep 56

F/L Matusiak and F/L Holdway from AFHQ to carry out tests on FPS-6 – microwave interference.

16 Sep 56

Church parade in observation of Battle of Britain.

17 Sep 56

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

24 Sep 56

249 W/C H Bryant resumed command of RCAF Station Edgar.

1 Oct 56

36912 F/L RJ Cutting assumed duties as COpsO during the temporary absence of 12966 F/L A Harvey.

4 Oct 56

W/C Fitzgerald Com G-4 AFHQ visited regarding RCA microwave installation and tests.

10 Oct 56 to 30 Nov 56

Caveman Exercises. Carried out to test the feasibility of the employment of pre planned tactical action against pre determined faker tracks. Caveman, 10 Oct 56; Caveman "A", 19 Oct 56; Caveman "B1", cancelled; Caveman "B2", 19 Nov 56; Cavemen "B2" Point Attack, 30 Nov 56. File: S4-31.

13 Oct 56

AN/FPS-6 was made available for FCO training which was conducted for local personnel only.

15 Oct 56

12955 F/L A Harvey resumed duties of COpsO.

24 Oct 56

RCA Microwave lines installed.

7 Nov 56

Began installation of teletype switchboard.

15 Nov 56

At the termination of the FCO training program the AN/FPS-6 was declared operational.

20 Nov 56

RCA party commenced overhaul of AN/TPS-501s and 15J1D.

22 Nov 56

Due to gale force winds, the AN/FPS-6 was shut down and the antenna lashed down to prevent damage to the assembly. This was the first occasion that this had been necessary since the installation of the equipment. Upon re-assembly of the antenna it was discovered that the connecting rod was slightly damaged. This was replaced.

23 Nov 56

AN/FPS-6 again operational after winds had dropped.

30 Nov 56

Overhaul of AN/TPS-501s and 15J1D completed.

Operational Strength

Officers

21

Senior NCOs

6

Junior NCOs

12

Airmen

113

Airwomen

22

Total

174

Submitted by:

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