Mont Apica, QC

1 Dec 53

Tuesday – Overcast and cool, plus 30 degrees. About 4 inches of snow covers the ground. 30 miles north of here the ground is clear of snow.

Wednesday – Overcast, little change.

Thursday – F/L East and Mr. Leroux of Command Education Branch, ADCHQ, visit unit on Bureau of Current Affairs visit. Depart in afternoon.

Friday – CO’s inspection of barracks, messes etc. Section Heads meeting at 1700 hours. Officers Mess Meeting at 1900 hours. F/L GC Bending, SMO, is new PMC Officers Mess. F/L Craig elected vice PMC. Service Liberty bus goes to Bagotville with 14 girls (airwomen) for a dance. The Second issue of our Station paper "Tower and Town" was released today. It was printed at St. Joseph d’Alma, about 50 miles north of here, and the paper represents a lot of hard work on behalf of the personnel who compiled it. 17 Officers, 5 airwomen and 7 airmen from 2452 AC&W Squadron (RCAF Reserve) Quebec City arrive for weekend operational training. All snow has disappeared! Most unusual for this country.

Sunday – Overcast and cooler, temperature plus 30 degrees. Reserve personnel from Quebec depart.

Monday – Pearl Harbour Day! Disciplinary Court Martial for 200683 Sgt. JHJB Mondoux of this unit assembles in RCAF Station Bagotville. Sentence of Court – Sgt. Mondoux is to be discharged from RCAF. Snow again at last. False alarm at 2000 hours due to faulty working of system.

Tuesday – G/C MG Doyle, W/C Holmes, F/O McLeod, F/O Robinson and Mr. Wright of DASS/ASBR AFHQ visit this unit on staff visit for overnight stay. S/L LP Baril of #1 Group Reserve, here for one days TD.

Wednesday – Overcast, temperature plus 30 degrees. Visiting DASS/ASBR staff party depart. S/L CA Willis, DFC, CAdO of RCAF Station Bagotville, visits this unit on a courtesy call.

Thursday – Heavy snow last night and again this AM. About 12 inches has fallen.

Friday – CO’s inspection. 15 Reserve personnel from 2453 Reserve Unit Trois Rivieres visit this unit for weekend operational training.

Sunday – Reserves depart for Trois Rivieres.

Monday – Mild but windy. The installation of 110 red theatre seats (purchased at public expense) commences in our station theatre in the Recreation Hall. Much discussion by the sidewalk superintendents as to whether the rows of seats should be staggered or in straight rows. The "stagger" party wins.

Tuesday – One of our small Chevrolet buses slides off the road and almost ends up in the lake at LeGite. We are forced to send another vehicle to draw it out and remove mail etc. Party for Tower personnel in the Recreation hall.

Wednesday – Clear, minus 2 degrees last night. F/O Keenan, Nursing Sister, reports in on transfer from #1 ADCHQ.

Thursday – F/O Allen, F/O Benevides (female officers) and FS Keller of St. John’s Quebec visit this unit on familiarization duties. Christmas concert put on by children of Protestant School held in Station Theatre. This event raised approximately $17.00 for the Junior Red Cross.

Friday – CO’s inspection. W/C Jackson of ADC/SOMS visits unit for one day. Cpls. Club holds Xmas party and GE personnel entertain Officers and Senior NCO’s. The Xmas spirit is upon us!

Saturday – Very cold last night with minus 10 degrees. Milder today, up to plus 10 degrees. A Station Dance held in the Rec. Hall sponsored by our Hockey Club. Quite well attended.

Sunday – Milder – plus 20 degrees.

Monday – Mild, plus 30 degrees temperature. Children’s party in Rec. Hall with Cpl. Proux (returned from Toronto for weekend) acting as Santa.

Tuesday – Heavy snow storm commencing in afternoon and continuing all night. Trouble on mountain road when plow is broken on large rock.

Wednesday – Several section parties. Roads are plowed open at last.

Thursday – Cold, 0 degrees this am. Grocery store is busiest spot in unit. Protestant Church Service at 7 pm and Communion, Rev. J Knox officiating. At 2359 RCs hold midnight mass in Rec. Hall.

Friday – Xmas day. Officers at home to Senior NCO’s and then all retire to Airmen’s dining room to serve dinner to other ranks. Youngest airman made CO for the dinner and excellent time was had by all.

Saturday – The snow is very deep and it was necessary to plow it off the driveways at homes and push it onto vacant areas.

Sunday – A perfect clear day. This country is prettier in winter than in summer. Skiers are now out in force young and old, married and single.

Monday – Snowy and mild. F/L Allen SAO of Bagotville reports in for cash count of our SAO.

Tuesday – Clear and overcast. Plus 20 degrees. Several of the houses are leaking the same as last year. The only solution seems to be to shovel snow off the roofs.

Thursday – Minus 23 degrees last night. Clear and cold. Preparations for New Years Eve dance. New Years Eve dance in Rec. Hall held – not a very large crowd. No trouble. Officers Mess held their formal dance in mess which was entire success.

Friday – New Years Day. Senior NCO’s at home to Officers and later Cpl’s Club likewise. Still cold – minus 10 degrees at 1100.

Friday – Much colder last night with high wind. CO’s inspection of barracks.

Saturday – Very cold, minus 20 degrees at 8 am. Liberty run to Quebec City. Baby boy born to LAC and Mrs. George in Station Hospital. Both well.

Sunday – Very cold and clear last night. Minus 25 degrees in townsite and reports of minus 35 degrees at tower.

Monday – Clear and cold. Minus 31 degrees this morning. 142 WO2 CE Morin, Clerk Admin, reports in on transfer to assume duties as NCO i/c Orderly Room vice Sgt. KE Stewart transferred to Uplands.

Tuesday – Overcast and plus 0 degrees – a welcome change from our previous weather. Hockey game on Station. RCAF loses to St. Joes team 5 – 2.

Wednesday – Clear, minus 10 degrees. F/L RJ Jordan from AFHQ visits station on security matters. Station Hickey team defeats Hebertville team on our rink 5 – 4.

Thursday – Milder. 0 degrees. F/L Jordan continues his visit inspecting security at tower etc. G/C HC Ledoux DFC and W/C RK Gordon, SPSO ADC arrive for 1 day visit on SPSO matters.

Friday – CO’s inspection of barracks etc. Officers Mess Meeting. Station Fund Meeting. G/C Ledoux and party depart.

Saturday – Mild – overcast, plus 20 degrees. F/L Laroche, Supply Officer, arrives to form Board of Inquiry re workmanship done by contractor on RCAF FWD.

Sunday – Bitterly cold, minus 32 degrees at night, and 22 degrees today. Trouble with cars etc getting started this weather.

Monday – Cold and clear. F/O officers promotion exams. Eclipse of moon at 2100. Inspection of PMQ’s start.

Wednesday – Sgt. O’Leary Command Hygiene NCO here on TD. Heavy snow, plus 30 degrees.

Sunday – Mild and overcast. USAF – RCAF exercise from 0500 to 1100 necessitated calling CO and emerging from EW to full alert, in period of 1 hour.

Tuesday – F/O Gordon Command Welfare Officer on TD here.

Thursday – Colder. Officers Mess Dinner.

Friday – Cold. Women’s Auxiliary hold a bake sale in the Protestant School. Approximately $35.00 taken in by this sale.

Saturday – Liberty run to Quebec City. A blustery snowy day with moderating temperatures up to plus 20 degrees. The Recreation Hall floor which was ruined by water from a burst hydrant last year has been repaired and re-sanded. Lines have been put on for badminton etc and a coat of varnish applied. Additional washing and waxing will be required to bring this floor up to what it should be. The theatre seats which up to now have been installed in a temporary manner are now being permanently attached to the floor. Farewell party in Officers Mess for F/O BH Glines who is transferred to COC ADC; for Mr. A Perkins CGE and Mr. Bob Smith, CGE, who are likewise posted.

Monday – Overcast – milder, plus 10 degrees. Hockey game with Hebertville on the station; we win 6 – 4.

Tuesday – Cpl. FJ Orman, Clerk Accounts furniture leaves on transfer to North Bay.

Wednesday – Overcast – mild. Hockey game vs. Hebertville team, 8 – 6 our favour.

Friday – CO’s inspection. Reserves from Quebec City and Three Rivers due to arrive for weekend training. Freezing rain changes to snow. At midnight no sign of Reserves so telephone to Letape. They have left. At 0100 no sign of them so OO goes with a 4x4 to locate them. The civilian bus from Quebec is stuck about 2 ½ miles from camp and behind it is the Air Force bus which can not pass. The civilian bus had only one chain, but despite pushing and efforts of 4x4 we can not get the bus up the hill (this at 0230). A bulldozer is sent for and it arrives at 0315 and pulls the bus up the hill easily. Both busses arrive in camp and personnel are bedded down after a late meal at 0400. OO finally gets to bed at 0445.

Sunday – Clear and moderately cold. Plus 10 degrees. Roads are now plowed open. Reserve personnel leave at 1630 hours. Almost a foot of snow has fallen in the last storm. The snow at entrance to Station HQ is piled about 5 feet deep. Last winter it was very mild, this year it’s an old fashioned one.

Tuesday – Overcast. Plus 10 degrees. Snow is now piled in huge banks alongside the road. The cub shack which was in danger of collapsing from snow was shovelled off by members of the committee. The snow was exactly 3 feet deep on the roof.

Friday – Very cold. Minus 32 degrees last night. CO’s inspection etc. Officers Mess Meeting. Special Show for the Scout Movement (Dominion Campaign). A fair turnout and approximately $19.00 was collected.

Saturday – Cold. Toboggan party at CO’s hill for Officer’s Mess.

Sunday – Mild – plus 20 degrees. Lt. McPhail USAF and 3 NCO’s arrive from Caswell AFB Maine, for 2 weeks exchange duty. F/O RA Taylor and 3 enlisted RCAF personnel proceed on TD to ADB Caswell.

Monday – Mild, plus 32 degrees. Heavy rainstorm develops and roads soften. During this lightning storm power goes off, but this was not a result of the storm; it was trouble with the diesels. All ME vehicles arrived in OK after slipping and sliding on roads. It was a freak storm.

Overcast – 30 degrees. Moving Van 3 ½ ton arrives OK from LeTape. Other vans comprising truck and trailer combinations cannot negotiate these roads, one spending 16-18 hours trying to cover 20 miles. "Never again, say the drivers".

Thursday – Clear and cold. F/O RE Crawford, Ground Defence Officer ADC here on TD to discuss ground defence problems. W/C Underhill visits unit on liaison duties. S/L WJ Bracken SOCE, ADCHQ here on TD to discuss CE matters. The "Cruel Sea" shows here and draws record crowd.

Friday – Clear and mild. Plus 30 degrees at 0800 with temperature rising to 60 degrees in afternoon. Officer Mess Dining In Night (for wives also), very successful. 47668 F/O JHL Talbot moves out of PMQ 24 on release from RCAF. The final chapter in a career that was cut short when he was convicted by GCM for irregularities in connection with fuel oil. F/O Talbot was a pleasant man, a willing worker and completely bilingual. It is one of the strange quirks in human nature that would cause a man like Talbot to wreck his career for the sake of a few hundred dollars.

Clear. Plus 60 degrees at 1300. Snow melting fast. We know however that this is a freak period in the weather and are not taken in by believing this to be the "Spring Break-up". It is a full month too soon for it.

Sunday – Overcast and freezing rain. Protestant Church Service in evening with Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies parading. Approximately 57 attend. Rev. JDR Franklin and Rev. Knox officiating.

Monday – Communion for Protestant personnel at 0700 hours. Mild and overcast turns much colder at night and melting ceases. CO’s conference on Spring Break-up.

Tuesday – Clear and cold, plus 10 degrees. CO departs with SMO on TD to ADCHQ. F/O Pinkey, Refrigeration expert and F/O Stephenson of ADC messing staff on TD to discuss enlargement of tower canteen. F/L T Hea of SOAF Staff here on audit duties.

Thursday – Mild and snowing. F/L Raymond RC Padre from Bagotville in on liaison visit. Sgts. Mess entertains Officers Mess at games night.

Friday – Mild and clear. CO’s inspection of barracks. Bus departs to Lac St. Denis and St. John’s PQ for hockey games.

Saturday – Liberty bus arrangements go "haywire" and bus which was to have been hired doesn’t arrive. It was therefore necessary to cancel the trip.

Monday – Very mild – sun shining, snow is melting fast.

Wednesday – Mild and clear. Considerable excitement (particularly among the "small fry") when an object drops from a Sabre jet southwest of station area. Understand it was an external fuel tank. Will try and recover it for Bagotville.

Thursday – Last night about 4 inches of snow. Gas tank which fell from Sabre is recovered by unit personnel for transportation action to Bagotville.

Friday – Cold, plus 10 degrees. It is evident that Spring Break-up is not here. CO’s inspection of barracks, mess etc. 14 officers, 11 airmen, 8 airwomen from 2452 Reserve unit Quebec arrive by bus for weekend operational training. Mess dinner in Sgts. Mess.

Saturday – Cold, plus 10 degrees, south west wind, light snow. Liberty run to Quebec City leaves at 0915 – Large bus.

Sunday – Milder, plus 12 degrees. Blustery and fine snow all day. Ski run in full operation – skiers are making the most of this while the weather lasts.

Monday – Two organizers for amalgamated Civil Servants of Canada call at unit to conduct organized meeting. Meeting held in Theatre and Mr. Paul Lessard elected president. The final varnishing on Rec. Hall floor is finished.

Tuesday – Clear, plus 20 degrees. F/O Glines and family depart. He has been here since July 52.

Wednesday – Overcast, plus 20 degrees. Station Fund Committee meeting, 3 new members replacing time expired members elected. Airman’s Canteen Committee AC1 Boyer new Chairman replacing LAC Jolbert transferred. F/L Raymond, RC Padre at Bagotville, here on one days TD.

Friday – Plus 20 degrees, light snow. CO’s inspection. Party in Officers mess at night for F/O and Mrs Eddy transferred to Montreal (COC), and for F/O Sutherland.

Saturday – Clear and mild. Liberty bus to Quebec City 13 passengers. Big dance in Rec. Hall utilizing films covering dance recording and projecting it on a screen called a film dance. The Rec. Hall floor has just been completely refinished and has been washed with cold water and paste wax applied. We hope to keep it looking like new.

Sunday – Overcast and blustery. Clean up in Rec. Hall after dance which by all reports, was most successful.

Monday – Clear in early am, plus 10 degrees. Any day now the break-up should start.

Tuesday – Clear and cool, plus 10 degrees last night. A deputation of cooks, messmen etc. visit CPO’s to complain re their pay days being changed. The change was made by Treasury, this was explained and it may be necessary to arrange a loan to tide these people over to the pay day. They are inclined to be improvident.

Wednesday – Cold, plus 10 degrees, strong north wind. Brunswick Balke Callander representative here to give us a quotation of Bowling alleys (2) in basement of Rec. Hall – price $5,000.00 less 2% for cash. Right now we are "just looking, thank you".

Thursday – Clear, cold again, plus 10 degrees. Spring isn’t here. Trade Test Examination 36 candidates.

Friday – Clear, about 5 degrees at 0800. No break-up yet. Highways in this area remain at full loads for about another 10 days.

Saturday – Reserves here for Operation Dust Devil - it is appropriately named. "Snow Devil" would be better. A series of lows, highs, occlusions and other meteorological phenomena plague the area preventing the operation to develop to its fullest.

Sunday – About 5 inches of snow fell last night plugging roads etc. Until highway 54 is plowed the Reserves will be unable to return to Quebec. The Reserves depart via bus for Quebec at 1515 hours. One private vehicle which had no chains was forced to remain here all night until chains were dispatched by express from Quebec City.

Tuesday – 27659 F/L Korentager, MO, reported on TD as relief MO for F/L Bending SMO. G/C Schroeder, W/C TH Spear, W/C Tett, of DPA Ottawa accompanied by W/C Gordon SOPA ADC arrive on TD by PMC from Bagotville.

Wednesday – F/L Raymond RC Padre here on TD from Bagotville. Mild.

Thursday – Overcast in late pm, mild. G/C Schroeder and party depart at 1515 hours via staff car for Quebec City. Forecast – freezing rain. Work on remodelling officers mess is proceeding.

Friday – Snow and rain all night. The beginning of break-up! Hickey banquet this evening, very successful.

Saturday – High winds and much colder, plus 10 degrees. It is obvious the spring break-up will be much later this year. Liberty bus to Quebec City.

Sunday – Moderate, overcast, plus 25 degrees. A sleigh ride utilizing three snowmobiles has been organized for tonight. Following this there will be a bean feed in the mess. Price 25 cents. Sleigh ride was a decided success.

Wednesday – Overcast, plus 20 degrees. Service for Protestant townspeople at 1300 and 1930 hours.

Thursday – Clear and quite cold last night. About plus 1 degrees. Beginning of new fiscal year, many stock takings in M&I,

Friday – CO’s inspection and conference. Reserves from 2452 AC&WS Quebec City arrive for weekend training.

Saturday – Spring is here! About plus 10 degrees last night, high winds and drifting snow. Big preparations underway for our hockey dance tonight and the Sagtown Revue (57 personnel from Station Bagotville) to be held Sunday night. Following this several Mont Apica personnel will act as hosts to the Bagotville show.

Sunday – Plus 15 degrees last night at 0200. Unheard of temperature in April! Apparently all Eastern Canada is likewise cold. Dance last night apparently well attended and a success. The Bagotville show "Sagtown Revue" was well presented and attended. About $100 was taken in of which half goes to the Station Fund. Following the revue a reception was held attended by members of the Recreation Committee and Section Heads. The Bagotville show is a challenge to this unit to present its own revue. We did so last year and can do so again.

Monday – Milder, plus 20 degrees, but still winter.

Tuesday – Spring weather at last. Plus 42 degrees. W/C JR Jackson SOMS ADC and W/C RL Walsh, DMS (Air) of AFHQ visit unit on TD to discuss fly control etc.

Wednesday – Mild all day with much melting.

Saturday – Mild. Arvida Badminton Club visits u. In the evening a Movie dance was held. Heavy rains tonight.

Sunday – Mild, roads near camp not good.

Monday – Clear but a North Wind – plus 20 degrees. Meeting of Station Beautification Committee at 2000.

Tuesday – Snow this am and during night, plus 30 degrees. Roads – tough. Identification team for Photography and "I" card work.

Wednesday – Plus 25 degrees, lots of snow here, but outside park there is no snow. Identification team complete their work.

Thursday – Clear and mild. Perfect weather, the first real day of spring.

Friday – Good Friday. Overcast, mixed sleet, snow and rain. Temperature, plus 35 degrees. Roads north in poor shape. South (where there is less traffic) not quite so bad. A new International 28 passenger (6 x 5) bus has been received which apparently has tremendous power.

Saturday – Still raining and overcast. Roads very muddy.

Sunday – Easter Sunday. Overcast, rain and snow squalls. Easter Sunday Protestant service in Theatre. F/L W Archer (P) Chaplain from Bagotville officiates. About 70 attend.

Monday – Warm and sunny with a south wind. A fine drying day but still lots of snow.

Tuesday – Another warm sunny day. Roads drying OK. CO on TD at ADCHQ. S/L Bishop acting CO.

Wednesday – Warm and sunny. A fine day for drying roads.

Thursday – Very warm and sunny. A fine drying day, plus 65 degrees. Thunderstorm at 1500 hours washes out roads and forces us to sandbag a portion of ditches to prevent road washing out altogether.

Friday – Temperature plus 29 degrees with ice on water! A drop of about 40 degrees in 5 hours.

Saturday – Sunny and cool, plus 40 degrees. Liberty run to Chicoutimi.

Sunday – Snow last night and rain today. Snow storm at night with ½ inch of snow.

Monday – Clear and sunny. Snow melting fast again.

Tuesday – Clear and cold. CO departs on TD to Quebec City.

Thursday – Clear and mild. 11:30 fire alarm rang. Byer’s Construction Company boiler house caught on fire. Fire truck there and volunteer fire fighters. All male townsite turned out. Fire brought under control at 1 O’clock. Fire fighters were fortunate in being able to contain blaze to the boiler house. Had the forest been dry, the whole area would have undoubtedly caught fire. Area placed under quarantine and guarded till investigation concluded. Party in Rec. Hall at night for FCO personnel.

Friday – Warm and clear. CO’s meeting of Section Heads was held – also inspection of barracks. Reserves arrive from Quebec City for weekend training.

Saturday – Board of Inquiry convened to investigate fire. Station St. Hubert – F/L Buxton, President. Station Bagotville – F/O Descherez, member.

Sunday – Weather is overcast, mild and rainy.

Monday – Overcast. Area where the fire was is released from quarantine. S/L Bishop acting CO in absence of W/C HF Marcou on leave.

Tuesday – Much cooler and overcast. Mr. Campbell of AFHQ here re paving of roads. F/O Morrison of Lac St. Denis reports in on transfer. Board of Inquiry re fire concludes its report and departs.

Wednesday – Overcast and rainy.

Thursday – Overcast and rainy.

Friday – Overcast and rainy.

Saturday – Cold and overcast. Liberty run to Quebec City. Station dance in pm in the Rec. Hall.

Sunday – Rainy and overcast. Protestant Church service, Rev. Walter Jones, Presbyterian Minister from Arvida officiating, 65 attend. Two children baptised Alpha, daughter of Sgt. and Mrs. Wade, and Keith, son of LAC and Mrs. George, both of this unit.

Monday – Cold.

Tuesday – Heavy wet snow.

Wednesday – Cold, still snow and overcast.

Thursday – W/C Graham, S/L Ohaer, and F/L Wilson of TOB here to examine hospital.

Friday – Warmer. CO’s inspection of barracks.

Saturday – Warm. Gardens allotted to those who are interested.

Sunday – Windy and sunny.

Monday – Rainy.

Tuesday – Raining and clearing.

Wednesday – W/C JF Morton, S/L Whitford, F/L Hea – all of SOAF (accounts) here for inspection.

Thursday – Dr Desmarees and Dr. Filleon of Quebec Department of Fisheries here re complaint that oil is in Upica River and may bother fish. This unit has been blamed as offender. Investigation disclosed that it was the gasoline released by Voisine contractors in process of repair. F/O A Ratell and a Sgt. from Security Investigators arrive to investigate charges involving rations against Cpl. Bougie of this unit. Station Fund meeting.

Saturday – Rainy and windy. Work is progressing on installation of bowling alleys.

Monday – Statutory holiday.

Tuesday – Test of fire and operational alert messages. Ops Alert at about 1700 hours.

Wednesday – Colder and snow.

Thursday – Heavy frost with ice on ponds last night. Our daffodils in full bloom frost bitten along with other flowers.

Friday – Milder. Officers Mess Dinner. W/C Lawrence, CO Bagotville, S/L Carson, Mr. Leroux of ADC and F/O Toursegart of Quebec Reserves are guests.

Saturday – Rainy and cold again.

Sunday – Overcast and cool.

Monday – Overcast and cool.

Signed by:
(HF Marcou) Wing Commander,
Commanding Officer,
12 AC&WS, Mont Apica, PQ

1 Dec 53

High level evaluation with Arab.

One intercept carried out with Gerna 4.

Hornet took part in Exercise Dust Devil. No intercepts.

Three Rivers Reserves visited Hornet.

A balloon was released by USAF in our area. A B-17 from Amazon was scrambled after it. Unable to intercept balloon because it was continually dropping from angels 9 to 4. Aircraft (AF560) returned to USA.

Hornet VHF off the air from 1400Z – 1700Z. Replacing power line from TX-2 on 29 Dec.

Hornet VHF off for approximately 3 hours due to power change over.

Hornet released from weekly maintenance. Number of intercepts for December – 8.

Canso UC 11040 having motor trouble headed for Bagotville. Canso contacted Bagotville tower and landed at 1650Z.

Hornet 6 controlled Comet (Arab) on high level evaluation exercise.

Bromide phoned to advise that an Unknown aircraft was heading 300 degrees at a speed of 400 knots. COC received same reports and had Hornet check. Hornet unable to make radar contact.

Hornet received favourable comment from Bagotville tower for help given in bringing Broadway 37 back to base through bad weather. BR37 made a safe visual landing.

Hornet 3 had Joppa 6 and Joppa 10 on Cross Country flight from St. Hubert to Bagotville – to St. Hubert. Hornet 3 received handover from Firefly 28.

Hornet released for 8 hours monthly maintenance.

Bagotville tower requested we look out for C-45 – AF1571 – from Quebec to Bagotville because weather was deteriorating. Hornet obtained VHF and radar contact with the aircraft and gave him vector for Bagotville. Aircraft landed successfully.

Hornet experienced ECM jamming conditions 1 – 5.

Hornet off for weekly maintenance.

Gerna 6 under control of Hornet 2 intercepted VL14L – identified as a KC-97 (refuelling tanker) who was 70 miles north of track.

Ranger advised Hornet that COC called for a state of Preparedness and Hornet was to go Ops GCI as soon as possible – 1005Z – Hornet Ops GCI at 1110Z. Exercise completed at 1600Z.

Hornet released for weekly maintenance. All power off at Hornet at 1400Z. Power back on at 1427Z.

Hornet advised by Ranger of a search for a missing Beaver aircraft which had taken off from St. Felicien, Quebec at 1325Z on 27 Jan for Nitchigon Quebec. Beaver call sign was CF-GCX. Beaver located at 1815Z, 60 miles south west of Lake Mishigaw, Quebec. Both survivors OK.

Number of intercepts for month of January – 4.

Gerna 9 completed an intercept on Gerna 7. Gerna 7 completed intercept on Gerna 9. Gerna 8 scrambled after unknown track VL18L. No success on VL18L. Gerna 8 returned to base. Two successful intercepts completed by Gerna 4 and 5 on each other.

A/Rst Lt. McPhail, T/Sgt. Imbrescia, S/Sgts. Conrad and Schiller of 266 AC&W Squadron, Waswell, MA, arrived for two weeks of cross training.

Hornet 7 controlled Gerna 8 on a cross country flight from BG – XG – Latorque, Casey, Bagotville.

F/O Eddy and F/O McLeod reported to Ancienne Lorette for flying duties as Radar Evaluation Officers. Quebec Reserve unit on Auxiliary training at 12 AC&W Squadron. Aircraft being used from 104 K Flight Montreal and Joppa Aircraft from 423 (F) Squadron, Montreal.

A helicopter (YH21) crashed at the Trois Pistols at 1045 EST. After calling distress at approximately 1023 EST. The aircraft was flight planned from Quebec to Mont Joli. The crew was made up of 3 members – all Americans. Two bodies were found, one burnt beyond recognition. One body identified as Lt. Ellis, pilot of the aircraft. Other two persons -–Capt. ET Dixon and a civilian Tech Rep WM Bleankin. Information received from Rimouski, PQ.

Hornet carried 14 F-86’s from St. Hubert on their way overseas. Hornet released for weekly maintenance. Hornet working with Gerna and Joppa aircraft.

Hornet had 10 successful interceptions with Gerna – 440 (F) Squadron.

Hornet took part in Exercise "Loup Garou" being carried out by the GObC and Canadian Army around Rimouski, PQ.

Hornet took part in an ECM exercise. Both 440 (F) Squadron and 432 (F) Squadron at Bagotville were used to intercept American ECM aircraft. Seven successful interceptions were completed. Hornet released at 2014Z for monthly maintenance.

Hornet taking part in second day of ECM exercise and had 10 successful interceptions.

440 (F) Squadron aircraft being handed over to Firefly for Interceptions. Two successful handovers completed.

Hornet released for weekly maintenance at 1800Z.

Hornet completed 54 successful intercepts this month.

Broadway Red under control of Hornet 7. Intercepted 166L – 1 B-29.

Hornet took part in Exercise "Blue Ice" – a simulated ADC state of emergency. This was a synthetic exercise. Hornet went Ops GCI at 1244 and exercise completed at 1925. 440 (F) Squadron and 431 (F) Squadron Bagotville also involved in exercise. Hornet released for weekly maintenance at 2255Z.

Quebec City Reserve Unit visiting Hornet (14 officers, 11 Airmen, 8 Airwomen). Joppa aircraft 423 (F) Squadron, used as aircraft on 6 – 7 Mar for Auxiliary training. Six successful intercepts were carried out.

Six intercepts completed. Joppa aircraft handed back to Firefly at 2150Z.

Gerna 6 and 9 under Hornet control completed successful cross country flights from Bagotville – Latorque, Casey, Bagotville.

Gerna – 440 (F) Squadron aircraft commenced night flying today.

Gerna Squadron had 4 aircraft on night flying exercises.

Six successful intercepts today with 440 (F) Squadron and 431 (F) Squadron.

Five intercepts completed with 440 (F) Squadron. Four of 431 (F) Squadron successfully handed over to Eaglebeak for GCI on their F-89’s.

Hornet released for weekly maintenance.

Hornet took part in Exercise "Dust Devil II". Gerna and Broadway aircraft used by Hornet for interceptions. Exercise started at 1055Z and was completed at 2305Z.

Hornet carried Broadway White Leader as an SOS track today when the aircraft had a utility hydraulic failure. Aircraft made a successful landing at Bagotville.

Gerna 3 & 11 were handed over to Fairbanks (St. Sylvestre) control for calibration of that site. Four intercepts completed today.

Four of 431 (F) Squadron aircraft went on a cross country flight to Chatham NB. Four Gerna aircraft left on a cross country flight to North Bay. They were handed over to Canary.

Hornet released for weekly maintenance. Gerna 6 & 7 went to Presque Isle for Radio Range letdowns. Gerna 5 had to land at Presque Isle due to a fuel shortage. Gerna 11 left Bagotville for Presque Isle with a starting plug and an instruction sheet for CF-100s. Aircraft was successfully refuelled and both returned to Bagotville.

Gerna Blue, under control of Hornet 6 (F/O Taylor) successfully intercepted AF 18161 – a CF-100 with Air Vice Marshall James (AOC ADC) aboard. He made the trip from Montreal to Bagotville and return. Eaglebeak sent two F-89s over to Hornet. They made low passes at Bagotville station. Hornet intercepted them twice using Broadway aircraft. Broadway White under control of Hornet 29 intercepted the AOC’s aircraft on the return trip from Bagotville. He was also intercepted by Joppa 9 under control of Hornet 6.

Hornet control using Gerna and Broadway aircraft. Intercepted 2 F-89’s from Eaglebeak. Four successful intercepts were completed. Total number of intercepts this month – 61.

Hornet informed Bagotville tower that a Harvard aircraft was in difficulty over Quebec. Hornet was unable to pick him up or contact him on VHF. Aircraft made a successful landing at QB.

Quebec Reserves visiting Hornet for the weekend. Joppa – 423 (F) Squadron aircraft intercepted by Gerna 5 & 11 by Hornet 9.

Hornet released for five hours for weekly maintenance.

Routine flying by 440 (F) & 431 (F) Squadrons. Hornet doing surveillance on them.

Six intercepts completed. 1 Broadway and 1 Gerna aircraft on cross country flights to Chatham. They were handed over to Eaglebeak.

Night flying this evening with Gerna Squadron. Sixteen successful intercepts completed by Hornet 5 & 8.

Twelve intercepts completed today – all by Hornet 8 (F/O Page). Gerna aircraft were night flying.

Four Broadway aircraft handed over to Eaglebeak. Two intercepts today.

Four successful intercepts today with Broadway and Gerna.

Hornet released for monthly maintenance.

Routine flying with Hornet surveillance today.

A B-29 from USAF in Hornets area today. Several VIPs were on board as observers. Five intercepts were made on the B-29 by Gerna and Broadway aircraft under our control. Five other intercepts today by Gerna and Broadway on each other under Hornet control.

Hornet released for emergency maintenance for 1 ½ hours.

F/O Scott and F/O McCaulley arrived on TD from Falconbridge for two weeks. These controllers here to alleviate our controller shortage.

Gerna Squadron night flying this evening. They would like Hornet controllers to be available for Mondays – Tuesdays – Wednesdays and Thursdays in order to get in as much night flying as possible. Four successful intercepts completed during night flying by Hornet 6 (F/O Taylor).

A B-25 – ECM aircraft from Griffiths Field in Hornets area. Gerna and Broadway used to intercept it. ECM condition 2 reported.

Hornet released for weekly maintenance.

A C-45 aircraft from 104 K Flight being used as an ECM aircraft in our area. Mechanical jamming reported at 1528Z. Gerna and Broadway aircraft scrambled on the "Bagot" aircraft.

A Mitchell aircraft took off from Quebec to drop window and wanted Hornet to give him vectors at 90 degrees to this window from 6000 yards or more. Aircraft controlled by Hornet. Mechanical jamming reported. Number of successful intercepts this month – 94.

Quebec Reserves on Auxiliary training this weekend. Joppa aircraft used for training purposes.

Routine flying by Gerna and Broadway aircraft under Hornet surveillance.

Broadway and Gerna doing pipelines most of the day under Hornet control.

Hornet doing surveillance on a SAC overfly lasting 4 days. Approximately 210 American Air Force aircraft to take part. No RCAF aircraft will take part as previously planned.

Hornet still doing surveillance on exercise.

Routine flying from Bagotville. Hornet doing surveillance.

Hornet using Gerna aircraft for interceptions on ECM Dakota in Firefly’s area. Mechanical jamming reported. Hornet released for weekly maintenance at 2030Z. All night flying cancelled until further notice.

Hornet notified of Cocked Pistol at 1000Z. The OO at BG had not advised either 431 or 440 Squadron by 1047Z. At 1135Z 440 Squadron had 2 aircraft on 5 minutes; by 1225Z 440 Squadron had 2 more aircraft on 15 minutes. At 1242Z 431 Squadron and 1 aircraft on 5 minute Readiness and by 1300Z had one more aircraft at the same state. By 1325Z all aircraft of 431 and 440 Squadrons were put back to 15 minutes available. By 1355Z 431 had two more aircraft on 15 minutes available. And the last aircraft of 431 Squadron were on 15 minutes available at 1359Z. Cocked Pistol was cancelled at 1410Z and all aircraft at Bagotville were stood down. By 1508Z BG pilots were flying and we had a Broadway Red Section of 5 aircraft under surveillance.

Normal flying activities were carried out with both 440 and 431 Squadrons participating in interceptions and Pipeline "4’s". There was a very short ECM exercise carried out but it did not have a great deal of effect on the system at this site.

Informed from Ranger that there may be another expected Brown Trout Intell Cocked Pistol called as NEAC aircraft had sighted 5 unidentified Ocean Patrol SOBS NE of Newfoundland 52:30 N 45:00 W at 1130Z 17 May 54. Nothing came regarding the above mentioned but an ECM strobing was noted at a bearing of 070 degrees. Later, Ranger informed Hornet that we could expect both electronic and mechanical jamming on 19 May 54.

Close control of both Gerna and Broadway Squadrons netted a number of intercepts. An ECM exercise commenced at 1911Z and we experienced CW Jamming in conditions 1 to 5 but on checking found that 3 B-25;s were flying right over our nest thus enabling them to achieve such good results. A slight amount of mechanical jamming was evident on our weapon but would have caused us no trouble operationally.

CPX Brown Trout was called and our state was again Cocked Pistol. This synthetic went off very well. A Seabee aircraft, call sign FCS was lost at approximately 47:50 N and 74:50 W. Three Gerna aircraft under control searched the position but "no joy". A 25% coverage of search area was reported by pilots but there was no trace of smoke or broken trees etc. After an hours search, Gerna 3, 6 and 8 returned to base.

Normal working day with both Gerna and Broadway Squadrons from Bagotville.

Hornet’s state EW for this holiday and we received a new code name of "Buckwheat" (ugh). 431 and 440 Squadrons received new code names also. An F-89 from the USAF was overdue at PQ and Buckwheat later informed both pilot and radar navigator has bailed out safe.

Once again Cocked Pistol at 2040Z. By 2112Z, 440 Squadron has 2 aircraft on 15 minutes. At 2125Z 440 Squadron has 2 aircraft on 5 minutes and 1 aircraft on 30 minutes. 431 Squadron, by 2212Z, had 2 aircraft on 15 minutes. A possible T-33 Faker aircraft with target Three Rivers could be expected. No scramble actions taken and no Faker tracks experienced. Buckwheat finally at Snowman 2322Z and 431 and 440 Squadrons released.

A request from Badger that CPA 107 from BG to QB may need our assistance as the weather conditions were very poor. No joy with aircraft on our weapon and CPA 107 landed at QB safely – panic over.

More bumping of heads with Mohawk and Soapsuds.

Mohawk Squadron bumping heads and we had a handover to Eaglebeak with 2 CF-100’s.

A Stinson station wagon aircraft seaplane # NC4046C left QB at 1143 standard time for St. Felicien and Roberval – believed lost – Roberval airport advises that a high wing monoplane passed overhead in general direction of St. Felicien. Badger now advised Buckwheat that Stinson was actually a land plane.

On checking with police at Roberval it was found that an aircraft had landed at St. Methode which has often been mistaken for St. Felicien. Three passengers from the aircraft hired a local taxi and the aircraft took off again in approximately 15 minutes. It was finally traced when it landed at the airstrip at Upper Chibougamau.