Narrative Report
RCAF Station Gander
1 Jun 59 to 30 Nov 59
5 Jun 59
161041 F/O JA Pottier, AS/FtrC, proceeded to US Naval Air Station Argentia for cross training in AEW and ECM.
11 Jun 59
19615 W/C EE Parks, CD, SO SUP, ADCHQ, visited unit for annual inspection and supply staff consultations.
19 Jun 59
HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Phillip visited Gander for one hour. New International Terminal was officially opened by Her Majesty and afterward the royal visitors toured the Gander town site.
28 Jun 59
56523 F/C HP Blois, Tech/CE, URTP, was TOS for summer training at this unit from RCS St. John, Quebec. 53526 F/C JG Gauthier, AS/GOb, URTP, was TOS for summer training with 72 GObC Detachment from RCS St. John, Quebec. 56983 F/C JK Olson, AS/GOb, URTP, was TOS for summer training with 72 GObC Detachment from RCS St. John, Quebec. 56805 F/C EAJ MacLennan, Pers/Adm., URTP, was TOS for summer training at this unit from RCS St. John, Quebec.
1 Jul 59
200697 F/O OG Benedict, AS/GOb, 72 GObC Detachment, was promoted to substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant. 216064 F/O MJP Tremblay, ACC, SAO this unit, was promoted to substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant. 240234 F/O GH Starks, AS/FtrC, was SOS RCAF Station Gander on transfer to RCAF Station Sydney. 43731 F/L WSE Wood, AS/GOb, was TOS 72 GObC Detachment Gander, as OC on transfer from 54 GObC Detachment Peterborough, Ontario.
6 Jul 59
49064 F/L WH Dyck, AS/GOb, was SOS 72 GObC as OC on transfer to 54 GObC Detachment, Peterborough, Ontario.
16 Jul 59
233397 F/O RN Thurston, Air/P, was TOS this unit on transfer from 413 AW Squadron Bagotville, Quebec. 9793 S/L RA Trottier, CD, SO SUP, ADCHQ, visited this unit for Supply Staff inspection.
23 – 25 Jul 59
General Alert was declared. Penetration group comprised of unit personnel achieved a large measure of success in infiltrating unit defences during the night of 24 – 25 Jul. This operation ceased at 0200 hours 25 Jul 59.
1 Aug 59
26052 F/L JA John, AS/FtrC, was SOS this unit on transfer to CJS Washington, DC.
2 Aug 59
237341 F/O W Rae, AS/FtrC, was TOS this unit on transfer from Station Foymount, Ontario.
12 Aug 59
161041 F/O JA Pottier, AS/FtrC, proceeded to US Naval Air Station Argentia for cross training.
15 Aug 59
243759 F/O JPG Dupuis, Sup, assumed duties as SSupO, RCAF Station Gander, on transfer from RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec. Renovation of building 86, Administration Building for this unit, was officially completed. This work had begun early in Jan 1959.
17 Aug 59
22034 F/L GS Higgins, Tech/Tel, assumed duties as CTSO RCAF Station Gander on transfer from RCAF Station Clinton, Ontario.
21 Aug 59
110007 F/O JA Chartrand, Sup, relinquished duties as SSupO, RCAF Station Gander on transfer to RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec.
22 Aug 59
16422 F/L RJ Emerson, Tech/Tel, relinquished duties as CTSO RCAF Station Gander on transfer to CJS Washington, DC.
29 Aug 59
200697 F/L OG Benedict, AS/GOb, was SOS 72 GObC Detachment Gander on transfer to 54 GObC Detachment Peterborough, Ontario.
31 Aug 59
173 A/V/M WR MacBrien, OBE, CD, AOC ADC, made an informal visit to this unit. The Executive Assistant 20153 S/L FR Hammil, CD, accompanied the AOC.
9 Sep 59
30623 S/L KE McKenzie, ADCHQ, visited this unit for CE inspection and staff consultations.
12 Sep 59
Flight Cadets HP Blois, JG Gauthier, EAJ MacLennan and JK Olson were SOS this unit to return to university upon completion of summer training.
17 Sep 59
20256 W/C RR Steeves, SOComG, ADCHQ, visited this unit for telecommunications inspection and staff consultations.
28 Sep 59
237341 F/O W Rae, AS/FtrC, proceeded on TD to 640th AC&W Squadron, Harmon AFB, for cross training.
4 Oct 59
122139F/L HG Brooks, AS/FtrC, COpsO this unit, proceeded on TD to 640th AC&W Squadron for cross training.
5 Oct 59
22034 F/L GS Higgins, CTSO this unit, proceeded on TD to 640th AC&W Squadron for telecommunications familiarization visit accompanied by 155614 F/O VJ Always, STelO.
3 Nov 59
27165 S/L FL Rowe, CO RCAF Station Gander, proceeded on TD to HQ 64th AD Pepperrell, for briefing and consultations.
11 Nov 59
22034 F/L GS Higgins, CTSO, accompanied by 122139 F/L HG Brooks, COpsO, proceeded to 64th AD HQ, Pepperrell for liaison visit. Remembrance Day parade had been planned but poor weather conditions prevented full parade. S/L FL Rowe, CO RCAF Station Gander, laid a wreath for the RCAF at the cenotaph.
16 Nov 59
56874W F/O SM Meadows, SOFSv ADCHQ, visited unit for staff consultations and inspection of food service facilities.
17 Nov 59
Handing and Taking Over Parade on change of command. 19637 S/L EF Reid, DFC, CD, assumed command RCAF Station Gander on transfer from 413 ACW Squadron Bagotville PQ. 27165 S/L FL Rowe, DFC, CD, relinquished command RCAF Station Gander on transfer to 30th NORAD Region, Detroit Sector, Battle Creek, Michigan.
23 Nov 59
162192 F/L RC Austin, AS/FtrC, proceeded on TD to 640th AC&Q Squadron, Harmon AFB, also to 323 FIS for cross training.
29 Nov 59
161041 F/O JA Pottier, AS/FtrC, proceeded on TD to US Naval Air Station Argentia Nfld., for cross training.
Signed by:
(EF Reid) S/L
CO, RCAF Station Gander