11 AC&W Squadron History
Lac St. Denis, PQ,
1 June 1953 to 31 December 1953
June 1953
The Permanent Joint Board of Defence visited Lac St. Denis on 15 – 16 June and toured the Operations building. Included were: General McNaughton, A/V/M Miller, Major General Sparling, Major General Henry, Rear Admiral Creary.
The Ground Observer Corps Centre at St. Jerome was opened on 27 June by A/V/M Smith.
Operations were carried on as usual with ADC units preparing to Exercise "Tailwind" to be held in July.
July 1953
On 2 July, the Squadron was visited by W/C Lawlor and twelve officers from 423 (AW) Squadron, St. Hubert. This visit is noteworthy inasmuch as it marked the formation of Canada’s first CF-100 (AW) Squadron.
On 2 July, Brigadier Jefferson, General Worthington and Mr. Roberts visited this unit to discuss Civil Defence matters.
Exercise Tailwind was held on 10 – 11 – 12 July. This unit’s strength was increased for the Exercise by the addition of personnel from 2401 (Auxiliary) AC&WU and a Reserve Intelligence Unit.
In general, controlling of fighters was left to Reserve Controllers. The Regular Force Controllers were used to man key positions. It was felt that both Auxiliary and Regular personnel gained considerable experience from this Exercise.
On 17 July, Captain WB Kitchings, USAF, arrived to replace Major CE Williams, USAF, who had been on the unit as an Exchange Officer. Major Williams had contributed a great deal to the organization and efficiency of the unit from the beginning as an operational unit.
On 23 July, a USAF Calibration team arrived to begin calibration of radar equipment.
August 1953
Operations were carried on as usual during August. Operational trials on the McGill Fence were carried out on 5 – 6 – 7 Aug using CF-100’s to intercept Comet aircraft. Results proved the worth of the system beyond doubt.
On 19 Aug, A/V/M James, AOC ADC, carried out his annual inspection of the unit.
During this month, activity with the Sabre Squadrons decreased due to their final preparation for Leapfrog III.
St. Jerome GObC began practice telling exercises to this unit to improve their technique.
The advance party of 445 (AW) Squadron arrived at Uplands near the end of August and arranged to operate under 11 AC&WS control for an indefinite period.
September 1953
During September personnel visited St. Jerome for familiarization purposes.
GCI exercises were carried out with USAF units being handed over to intercept Comet aircraft. RCAF co-operation and efficiency brought favourable comments from USAF personnel involved.
S/L Tripe received his transfer to Europe during September and he was replaced by S/L JE Mahoney as COpsO.
14 AC&WS became operational during Sep giving this sector more complete coverage to the north.
Additional tests were carried out with the McGill Fence System.
Further evaluation and calibration tests were run during the month using B-29, Comet and CF-100s.
Night GCI was carried on with 445 Squadron and Controllers were gaining additional experience in this type of training.
W/C Gordon and the crews of a visiting group of Shackeltons visited this unit on 30 Sep.
October 1953
On 2 Oct the unit was visited by G/C Bateson, G/C Powell, W/C Tate and W/C Adderly of RAF Fighter Command.
Operations with 423 and 445 Squadrons proceeded with the squadrons completing their training and getting time on their aircraft.
Weekend exercises with Reserve Squadrons were carried out.
Comet aircraft were used to test surveillance capabilities of the Radar System during this period. The Comet was also used as a target for practice GCI to give fighter squadrons experience in intercepting high speed aircraft. This was repeated in conjunction with night intercepts.
During this month there was considerable increase in Ops activity due to the increase in numbers of aircraft on 423 and 445 Squadrons.
Calibration and evaluation exercises were continued and much valuable data collected.
November 1953
Operations both day and night proceeded steadily. Other exercises included those with Comets and further tests on the McGill Fence System. Night exercises with CF-100s and Comet aircraft were carried out.
Weekend exercises with the Auxiliary Squadrons were carried out successfully.
On 24 Nov an extensive VHF check was carried out with 445 Squadron. ECM activity was reported on that date also.
A "Cannonball" Comet was successfully intercepted on 27 Nov by a CF-100 from 423 (AW) Squadron.
December 1953
445 Squadron began to work with Vulture on AI.
On 2 Dec ECM activity was experienced for a short time.
On 5 – 6 Dec 11 AC&WS took part in "Exercise Dust Devil". Considerable activity was experienced but the exercise was not altogether successful due to partial VHF failures. Considerable experience was gained by personnel involved. 2401 Auxiliary personnel took part in the Exercise at this unit.
Day and night GCI with 423 (AW) Squadron proceeded as usual during this period and some improvement was noted as both controllers and aircrew became more proficient at AW techniques.