Narrative Report
RCAF Station Gander
1 Dec 60 to 31 May 61
2 Dec 60
27748 F/O JH Gibbard, Sup, returned from successfully completing CFR course at PTS Station Centralia.
9 Dec 60
76037 F/L RE Goatcher, AS/FtrC, returned from successfully completing Intercept Direction (SAGE) Course at Richards Gebaur AFB, USA.
3 Jan 61
Winter works program involving expenditure of $45,000 commenced. Following work projects will be carried out: Accommodating Telecom Section in Tower 1; accommodating supply section in unused wing of administration building; major modifications to power plant engines; completion of reallocation of Station accommodations buildings – involving CE, barracks, MIR, nursing sister’s quarters, photo section.
15 Jan 61
The message centre was relocated in first floor of Tower #1.
17 Jan 61
202285 F/L GJ Keeper Air/P TOS RCAF Station Gander on transfer from 436 (T) Squadron Downsview, and assumed duties of newly created position of CAdO.
20 Jan 61
242512 F/O W Charnley, Air/RN, returned from successfully completing a one week course on Electronic Warfare Indoctrination at R&CS Clinton.
1 Feb 61
Renovations were commenced in the Sergeants Mess. These renovations included reallocation of dining area, application of panelling and painting of the walled lounge area, improving of sound reproducing unit, and ordering new wall to wall draperies.
30 Jan 61
22034 F/L GS Higgins, Tech/Tel, successfully completed a two week Officers Basic NBCW (RCAF) course at the Joint ABC Defence Warfare School at Camp Borden.
8 Feb 61
The Officers Mess entertained Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas and Lady Pike of the RAF. A/C/M Pike stopped at Gander for a brief period on a trip from Washington DC to London England. 27944 S/L KH House arrived from MACHQ on padre/welfare duties.
10 Feb 61
On a Commanding Officers Parade held this date, 200564 F/L DS Shepherd Air/P, 39256 Sgt. GR Burns RdrTechG (CW), 210854 Cpl. WS Thomson MedA, and 36111 Cpl. JE Deveau ClkAcc were awarded the Canadian Force’s Decoration.
14 Feb 61
223397 F/O RN Thurston, Air/P, departed from this unit on release from the RCAF.
18 Feb 61
A Winter Carnival was held consulting of sports activities in the afternoon and a dance in the evening highlighted by the crowning of a Carnival Queen.
27 Feb 61
19637 S/L ER Reid, Commanding Officer of this unit, departed on TD to Tyndall AFB Florida, USA, to attend the 64th Air Division Commander’s Conference.
28 Feb 61
The installation of the Arctic Tower type AB-563 was completed.
3 Mar 61
212076 F/L JR Vickers, AS/FtrC, successfully completed Controllers Proficiency Course at Station Cold Lake.
8 Mar 61
76037 F/L RE Goatcher, AS/FtrC, SOS RCAF Station Gander, on transfer to ADCHQ for duty with RCAF Staff at Minot Sector HQ, Minot AFB, USA.
17 Mar 61
An official opening night dance was held in the Airmen’s Radome Club to mark the opening of the Airmen’s renovated lounge, bar, stag room, and games room. The stag lounge has been completely renovated with walls being refinished with maple cherry plywall with matching drapes. Renovations in the mixed lounge included re-styling of the indirect lighting system. The walls and ceiling of the mixed lounge have been repainted. During February and March the tables and decorative green plants were received. Most of the renovations were done by volunteer labour by service personnel.
20 Mar 61
27190 F/L W Veals and 25121 WO2 J Chaulk arrived from ADCHQ to carry out SOAF inspection.
28 Mar 61
237341 F/O W Rae, AS/FtrC, transferred to Pers/PI branch.
30 Mar 61
A Commanding Officers parade was held to announce the 1 Apr Airmen’s promotions. Ten personnel received promotions. On this date the Canadian Forces Decoration was awarded to 16869 F/L JM Myers Air/P, 33508 F/L JOP Chevalier Air/P, and 41379 Sgt. EG Watson RdrTechG (CW).
3 Apr 61
55817 F/L CA Burden, Med/MO, arrived on transfer from Station Camp Borden to assume duties of newly created position of SMO.
9 Apr 61
135738 F/O D Rogers Air/RN arrived on transfer from 416 Squadron St. Hubert.
13 Apr 61
42013 F/L DR Winchester arrived for a Nuclear Defence discussion with station personnel.
17 Apr 61
72484W F/O JA Dale, Med/Nur, arrived on transfer from Station St. Sylvestre.
21 Apr 61
A Mess Dinner was held in the Airmen’s Radome Club with G/C Grant from ADCHQ as the guest of honor.
26 Apr 61
The installation of the Radar Signal Simulator AN/GPS-T4 was completed.
28 Apr 61
The installation of the Rigid Radome type CW-396A/GPS on top of Arctic Tower was completed.
3 May 61
52826 F/C S Isenberg, AS/FtrC, arrived from 102 University Squadron McGill University, Montreal, to commence third year training as a member of the URTP.
8 May 61
237341 F/O W Rae, Pers/PI, SOS RCAF Station Gander on posting to AFHQ A/CAS DPR.
15 May 61
ZD45111 Captain IW Susser arrived from Greenwood to carry out unit dental inspection.
16 May 61
42013 F/L DR Winchester arrived from ADCHQ to carry out instructional duties on Nuclear Defence to all station personnel.
18 May 61
The installation of the Radar Height Finder AN/FPS-6B was completed.
29 May 61
19637 S/L EF Reid, Commanding Officer, departed on TD to ADCHQ to attend AOC’s conference.
Signed by:
(EF Reid) S/L
CO, RCAF Station Gander