Narrative Report
RCAF Station Gander
1 Dec 61 to 31 May 62
4 Dec 61
27649 S/L EP Carrigan and 21246 F/L CW Evoy arrived from ADCHQ on a medical staff visit.
6 Jan 62
33508 F/L JP Chevalier, Air/P, unit COpsO, departed for Station Clinton to attend a two week Guided Missile and Space Technology Indoctrination Course.
9 Jan 62
An operational evaluation team consisting of A02073951 Major RL Fitzpatrick and A0571906 Captain RH Hale arrived from Headquarters Goose Air Defence Sector.
21 Jan 62
72484W F/O JA Dale, Med/Nurs, departed on transfer to Station Edgar.
24 Jan 62
159361 F/O H Bourgeois arrived from MACHQ on Welfare duties.
1 Feb 62
4109 F/O D Wagner arrived from ADCHQ on an MSE staff visit.
5 Feb 62
180 S/L SW Steene, ADCHQ, D/SOAF, arrived on a short visit from ADCHQ.
7 Feb 62
10104 S/L HA Pattinson, 205107 F/L WLF Beasleigh and 48391 F/L JH Cline arrived from ADCHQ/SOSO branch on a short visit.
9 Feb 62
20672 F/L PW Croswell and 200561 F/L GR Wonnacott arrived from ADCHQ to carry out SOPA staff visit.
15 Feb 62
G/C KC Cameron, ADCHQ SCESO arrived on a staff visit.
17 Feb 62
19398 A/S/L KS Patterson, Air/P, CO RCAF Station gander, departed on TD to Goose Bay, Labrador and to Orlando AFB Florida to attend 64th Air Division Commander’s Conference.
18 Feb 62
158443W F/O ME O’Farrell, Med/Nur, arrived on transfer from RCAF Station Camp Borden.
28 Feb 62
RCAF Station Gander’s first Winter Carnival commenced this date and lasted three days. The Airmen’s team were the winners of the "Annual Winter Inter-Mess Competition Trophy" whilst the low point team, the Corporals, were awarded the "Sad Sack Trophy".
7 Mar 62
A message was received from ADCHQ stating that 233128 F/O RJ Kelly, Air/P, was promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant effective 1 Jan 62.
11 Mar 62
123758 F/O JG Manontagne, Tech/CE, was TOS RCAF Station Gander on transfer from Camp Borden and on arrival assumed duties of SCEO.
16 Mar 62
138009 F/O ER Broughton, Tech/CE, departed this unit on release from the RCAF.
30 Mar 62
A Commanding Officer’s Parade was held to announce the 1 Apr Airmen’s promotions. Eight airmen received promotions. Also on this parade the Canadian Force’s Decoration was awarded to 224168 Cpl. K Manko, SupTech; an ADC Safe Driving Award Scroll was presented to the unit MSEO, Sgt. Hamond; and a cheque from the DND Suggestions Award Committee was presented to 16862 Cpl. RM Ritchie, Photo, for an original idea submission.
31 Mar 62
During the months of February and March many long standing snow fall records were broken. The snow falls resulted in the MSE operations being employed on an almost continuous snow removal job. Often the snow removal crews were working on a 24 hour basis to keep the station roads and fire lanes clear.
1 Apr 62
29868 Sgt. EP Hakansson, ClkAdm, was promoted to Flying Officer in the Pers/Adm Branch.
9 Apr 62
204925 F/L AC Edmonds arrived from ADCHQ on a SOAF staff visit.
10 Apr 62
204888 F/L E Zapf arrived from MACHQ on welfare duties.
15 Apr 62
153254 F/O PMA Dragojevich, Sup, arrived on transfer from RCAF Station Centralia, and will assume duties of SSupO on departure of present incumbent.
16 Apr 62
24331 W/C NJ Gallagher, ADCHQ, SORA/RC, arrived on a staff visit.
17 Apr 62
20365 W/C W Rodger, ADCHQ, SORA(P) arrived on a staff visit.
2 May 62
S/L GD Hines arrived from ADCHQ on a supply inspection visit.
8 May 62
64994 F/C RC Short, Pers/Adm, URTP, arrived from 114 U Squadron Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland for period of summer duty.
12 May 62
26299 F/L CA Mason, Tech/Tel, unit CTSO, proceeded to RCAF Station Camp Borden to attend a two week POMC Safety Officers Course.
14 May 62
246432 F/O JA Machum, Air/RN, was TOS RCAF Station Gander on transfer from 410 Squadron Uplands and, on arrival, will assume duties of operational controller.
23 May 62
10540 F/L C Wilcox arrived from ADCHQ on a recreation staff visit.
29 May 62
19398 S/L KS Patterson, Air/P, Unit CO, departed on TD to ADCHQ to attend the annual Air Defence Command Commanding Officer’s Conference.
Signed by:
(KS Patterson) A/S/L
CO, RCAF Station Gander