Historical Report
12 AC&W Squadron
Mont Apica, PQ,
1 Jun 55
Wednesday No change in the weather rain. Mr. Corriveau DCL and Mr. Beaudette in for the day. Bingo dance held final Bingo of the Season. Large crowd and very nice dance. Father Raymond, RC Padre from Bagotville in staying overnight.
2 Jun 55
Thursday Rain again today and overcast all evening. Col. Mummery, Major Leblanc in for a visit, staying overnight. They are from RCAMC on liaison visit to ensure there was no complaint on rations from Supply Depot at Bagotville.
3 Jun 55
Friday Weather clearing finally sunny all day F/L Thompson Protestant Chaplain from ADC arrived for the weekend. COs Inspection today. Col. Mummery and Major Leblanc departed. S/L Bending our SMO transferred to RCAF Station Uplands 1st Sep.
4 Jun 55
Saturday Another beautiful day. Temperature about 78 degrees. Lots of pests around, mosquitos, black flies and flies. Hoping for air spray very shortly. Lots of personnel in swimming in the fire reservoir pool. Boy Scouts left on camping trip for weekend, FS Liautaud in charge. Also Guides camped out in Lac St. John area with Miss Sadie Mansour in charge.
5 Jun 55
Sunday Church services held today Protestant at 11:00 am, RC at 4:45 pm. Another lovely day most unbelievable. Personnel all taking advantage of swimming.
6 Jun 55
Monday F/L Hea and F/O Hind from ADCHQ arrived today from SOF inspection. G/C MacLean from AFHQ arrived today. He is Protestant Director of Religious Activities; and S/L Rogers, Command Chaplain from ADC, visited us after dedication service of Chapel at Bagotville. P/O McClintock (Assistant CAdO) reported in from North Bay on Posting.
7 Jun 55
Tuesday Mr. L Sykes from AMCHQ arrived today for Cable Inspection. Weather staying beautiful and sunny, and very warm. Two airmen and two airwomen returning from Quebec City this evening and hit and killed a cow moose on the road. Car badly damaged, but made camp on its own. Occupants injured only by glass were very fortunate. A lot of wild life seen on roads into camp. Bear seem plentiful. COs conference this am followed by NCO and Airmen Promotion Board.
8 Jun 55
Wednesday Weather remaining sunny. Quite a surprise to all Mont Apicans. Fire reservoir pool being painted. Air spray carried out by DC-3 plane. All are hoping it will do away with our "Pests from the Bush". Unit quiet otherwise.
9 Jun 55
Thursday Again a beautiful day. Nothing unusual happened. Mr. Sykes left for AMCHQ after completing his business on the unit. Paving has not yet started due to faulty machinery. Hope it will begin soon as dust is very bad.
10 Jun 55
Friday Sunny weather again very warm. COs Inspection today, and quite profitable. When CO entered Supply Section a nice shiny desk was being polished up by the SSO. With a gleam in his eye, the CO said "Ah, just what I need", and to the disillusionment of the SSO, a truck was ordered to have said item transported to the Admin block. This lovely desk, needless to say, reposes in all its glory in the COs office what an improvement.
11 Jun 55
Saturday Beautiful day again Air Force Day. COs parade and March past at 1000 hours. Fly past by Bagotville planes at 1030 hours. Dependents went up to see inside the Tower in afternoon. Station Adjutant, P/O Tarantello, left at 0830 hours for Quebec City to meet the Bell Telephone group who are putting on a show in the evening. Show was huge success and very good turn out. The group were entertained in Officers Mess.
12 Jun 55
Sunday Cloudy and very cool today. Afraid good weather over for a time. Rain in the evening. RC Church service at 1645. Bell Group left today.
13 Jun 55
Monday Station quiet today. Cloudy with heavy rain in the am. Historical Narrative Dec 1 to May 31 completed will be sent to ADCHQ tomorrow. Airmens Trade Papers arrived. Mr. Parker, CPO at ADCHQ, visiting unit for a while.
14 Jun 55
Tuesday Pay Day. Unit canvassing to aid the unfortunate people in Liverpool NS who lost their homes, boats etc. in Forest Fire. Our aim is the small sum of $100.00. Hope to have this figure extended. S/L Tew and F/L Boyezuk from 1 ADCC in on TD re operational and technical end of Radar. F/O Bonneau from 11 AC&W Squadron Lac St. Denis in on TD. Clearing off today.
15 Jun 55
Wednesday Quite hazy today. RC Bishop arrived this afternoon to confirm some of the children. Father Raymond from Bagotville in for a day or two. Father Clouthier arrived with Bishop Garrant for the Confirmation service. $150.00 collected for the Liverpool fund. CAdO returned off leave.
16 Jun 55
Thursday Very warm. CO preparing for his leave.
17 Jun 55
Friday First Airmens Mess Dinner held on the Unit. A huge success. Going away party for F/O Crowther, and the four school teachers. Only one, Miss Corcoran, will return next fall, to take over as Principal of RC School. Mrs. Boileau proceeding overseas to be with her husband. Miss Mansour going to Beaverbank, NS. Miss Jakubiak has not decided on a new post. Weather remains nice.
18 Jun 55
Saturday Again fine weather, and warm. Sgts. Mess honored WO2 Morin at a party. Many changes on Unit. CO departed on leave.
19 Jun 55
Sunday RC Church service at 1645 hours. Weather holding. No news on Unit.
20 Jun 55
Monday W/C Trischuck, SOCE, arrived for short visit on unit. S/L St. Louis, Station CTechSO taking over as Acting CO.
21 Jun 55
Tuesday Mr. Buchan, AFHQ, reported in leaving tomorrow. Sunny and warm today.
22 Jun 55
Wednesday Said farewell to WO2 Morin, NCO i/c Orderly Room. He is on his way to Command. He will be sorely missed. Sgt. Collingwood is replacing him as NCO i/c CR. Mr. Buchan departed.
23 Jun 55
Thursday Cloudy, rain showers and cooler today. Another accident on road into cam (4 personnel). One AW in hospital with leg and arm injuries and another with an arm injury. The two airmen were released from SSQ.
24 Jun 55
Friday F/L Thompson, Protestant Padre in for Sunday service. Mr. McRae from Montreal arrived to see CAdO re Station Insurance. Dr. Dumas, Reserve MO in to replace our SMO, S/L Bending, who left for annual leave. Cloudy and rain showers, cooler today.
25 Jun 55
Saturday Still rainy and cloudy. Station quiet.
26 Jun 55
Sunday Quite a thunderstorm in afternoon sky clearing after. Very heavy downpour. Church services for both Protestant and RC.
27 Jun 55
Monday Dentist arrived from Bagotville for a two week visit. Mr. Ponting, Bell Telephone, arrived for a short stay; also Mr. McElhatton, same company.
28 Jun 55
Tuesday Nice day today quite warm. Paving started again working by the Admin Block and around the Rec. Centre.
29 Jun 55
Wednesday Sunny and warm again today. F/O Johnston received promotion to F/L. Celebration in Mess.
30 Jun 55
Thursday Preparing for some Quebec Auxiliary Squadron to arrive for Summer Training. Weather remaining nice.
1 Jul 55
Friday Celebration for Dominion Day. Two softball games. Officers won over Sgts. 10 9 and Tower Airmen over Townsite Airmen 10 7. Clouded over in afternoon and rained so spoiled BarBQue. Quite a violent thunderstorm in evening. Dance in the Rec. Hall which was very nice. CO returned to unit today. Fireworks display in pm.
2 Jul 55
Saturday Kind of a rainy cloudy day. Unit is quiet after celebration yesterday.
3 Jul 55
Sunday RC Church service at 5 pm. Weather cleared off warm but quite strong wind. Fairly decent movie tonight. "The Purple Plains".
4 Jul 55
Monday Very warm nice day no unusual happenings.
5 Jul 55
Tuesday Reserves have been reporting in from 2452 Squadron, Quebec City. 10 officers in for a week. S/L Taschereau in charge. Very warm today, real summer weather. CO' Conference in am.
6 Jul 55
Wednesday F/O Barber from ADCHQ reported in for the day re CE. Hot again today. Forest Fire threat quite bad.
7 Jul 55
Thursday Very hot today. Father Raymond in from Bagotville (RC Padre) in for the day, also F/O Tracy from ADCHQ District Welfare Officer in for the day. Violent thunderstorms in late evening.
8 Jul 55
Friday Hot again. COs Inspection Personnel taking advantage of pool to cool off. Two Reserve Officers from Quebec City reported in.
9 Jul 55
Saturday Some of the Reserve boys returned to Quebec City after a week of summer training. Officers Mess had a wiener roast at the pool at night, also a swim about 2300 hours very refreshing. Pool well used on Saturday due to extreme heat.
10 Jul 55
Sunday Very very hot, but extreme change occurrence about 1900 hours. Got very windy. Pool well used again a boon to morale on the unit.
11 Jul 55
Monday Very cool today, and cloudy. No swimming today. Station is quiet.
12 Jul 55
Tuesday "Glorious 12th" today. Provincial authorities have closed both gates to traffic due to forest fire threat. Personnel can leave the unit but cannot return. Warmer today.
13 Jul 55
Wednesday Cloudy today hoping for rain as fire hazard great. Having difficulty getting personnel in through the gates. No unusual happenings.
14 Jul 55
Thursday Rained quite heavy today. Meeting between Air Force and Construction Company officials re paving. Col. Crowe and Lt. Col. Munnery arrived in for a few hours to tee up arrangements for their overnight stop on Jul 21. Mr. Graciano, General Superintendent of North Shore Construction Company was in for the meeting in the afternoon.
15 Jul 55
Friday Additional Reserves coming some for a few days others for a week 10 days. Cloudy and miserable again.
16 Jul 55
Saturday CO has Open House for Officers and their wives. Cpls. Club had housewarming. Weather cleared off in late afternoon. More of 2452 Squadron Reserves arrived. F/O and Mrs. Brown have a new 8 pound 12 ounce son, born today.
17 Jul 55
Sunday Rained again today. Capt. Nations and Capt. Quercia from SAC arrived for Exercise "Deep Rock". Tower personnel going on two 12 hour shifts during exercise.
18 Jul 55
Monday COs Conference today. Weather cleared. Unit quiet.
19 Jul 55
Tuesday Meeting re roads on Unit. Mr. Casey and Mr. Loomis from AFHQ/DCEF in to inspect the roads.
20 Jul 55
Wednesday Nice again today. Unit quiet.
21 Jul 55
Thursday Unit remaining quiet. Severe thunderstorm this pm caused lights on unit to go out for nearly an hour.
22 Jul 55
Friday All quiet on Unit.
23 Jul 55
Saturday Rain and thunderstorms all day, and such heavy rains damaging roads. Celebrated the end of exercise tonight.
24 Jul 55
Sunday Nice day today Station very quiet. SMO returned from leave. Dr. Dumont, MO for past month departed for Quebec City.
25 Jul 55
Monday Nice warm day today. Mr. Thomas from Canada Life Assurance Company in to see CAdO re personnel getting insurance. Adjutant P/O Tarantello returned from leave.
26 Jul 55
Tuesday COs Conference this am. Quiet, warm and humid today. Station seems quiet.
27 Jul 55
Wednesday Sunny and warm. Uneventful.
28 Jul 55
Thursday Sunny and warm. "Operation Man Hunt" about Igor Gouzenko, on at Station Theatre. Mr. Graciano of North Shore Construction here.
29 Jul 55
Friday Sunny and warm. W/C Smith and F/L MacDonald arrived for inspection. COs inspection in the morning.
30 Jul 55
Saturday First Annual Swimming Meet held today. Very successful. Weather perfect. Station dance held in Rec. Hall. Reserves from 420 (F) Squadron Bagotville came in for week-end.
31 Jul 55
Sunday 420 (F) Squadron boys departed. Weather nice. Station quiet.
1 Aug 55
Monday S/L Churchill in from St. Marie and F/O Armstrong. Nothing unusual happened.
2 Aug 55
Tuesday COs Conference today. Had word we are to have a visit by the Minister of National Defence on 12 Aug. Cloudy day.
3 Aug 55
Wednesday Organizing for Ministers visit. Hope to have unit in A-1 condition.
4 Aug 55
Thursday Rainy today. F/L Raymond arrived in for the day.
5 Aug 55
Friday Father Clouthier came in for RC service. Nice warm day.
6 Aug 55
Saturday Weather remaining nice, and cooler. Officers Mess honoured F/O and Mrs. Page who are departing for Comox, BC on transfer.
7 Aug 55
Sunday Just poured rain today. RC services held. F/O and Mrs. Brown had their 3 week old son Baptized.
8 Aug 55
Monday Preparations continuing for Minister of National Defences visit. Mrs. Campney will accompany her husband. Cooler today, showers in evening. F/O and Mrs. Page and family left for Comox, BC. They were one of the first families on the unit.
9 Aug 55
Tuesday COs Conference today. Final arrangements discussed for visit. Unit humming with activity. Much cooler today, however warmed up considerably in afternoon.
10 Aug 55
Wednesday Sunny, but a very strong breeze blowing. Final drill for Guard of Honour for the Honorable R Campneys visit held in pm. Sgt. Edmond proud father of baby girl.
11 Aug 55
Thursday Station is quiet, but in last stages of preparation for Ministers visit. Station looks exceptionally well.
12 Aug 55
Friday Lovely sunny day, warm. Minister of National Defence enjoyed his visit to the unit and was well pleased. Cocktail party in Officers Mess and Sgts. Mess. Minister departed by staff car for Quebec City at 1800 hours.
13 Aug 55
Saturday Nice warm day. Station quiet. Some boys from Bagotville over for the weekend. Outdoor party behind Airmens barracks. Not too successful as not too many attended.
14 Aug 55
Sunday Church services held today. Cloudy and rainy.
15 Aug 55
Monday Rained today. Unit settled down and quiet. No unusual happenings.
16 Aug 55
Tuesday Nice weather, still humid though. S/L Bending, SMO, gone to ADCHQ for a week or two on TD.
17 Aug 55
Wednesday S/L Tew, S/L Kennedy and F/L Boyezuk in from Lac St. Denis on TD. Weather remaining warm.
18 Aug 55
Thursday S/L Shaw in from ADC looking into personnel matters. He is very pleased with this unit and it has been a pleasure to have him.
19 Aug 55
Friday Rather a rainy day. Had a small impromptu party in the Mess. Very nice. Airmens canteen had a going away party for several personnel who are leaving the station. Father Raymond (Bagotville) in for the day.
20 Aug 55
Saturday We were to have the sports day today, but it has been put off for a week. CE Section has been around cleaning the furnaces, in preparation for the long winter.
21 Aug 55
Sunday RC Church services today. Rainy day today.
22 Aug 55
Monday Unit very quiet.
23 Aug 55
Tuesday A group of Officers from 1 ADCC arrived in for a few days TD. W/C McNair, S/L Rogers and several others re operations.
24 Aug 55
Wednesday Weather turned cooler, so nice at night. Afternoons get warmed up. Not much happening on the Unit. Preparations going on for 2nd Annual Track and Field meet. Everybody looking forward to it. Soap Box Derby for children.
25 Aug 55
Thursday Stag Party in Officers Mess tonight rather a farewell to ADCC boys. Clear sunny day.
26 Aug 55
Friday F/L Thompson in from Command for Protestant Church Service on Sunday. Going away party in Officers Mess for F/O Horsnell, P/O McClintock and Mr. Jim Fitzgerald, Bell Telephone representative. Weather quite cloudy most of the day, but cleared off in the afternoon. The helicopter arrived bringing in the Protestant Padre from Bagotville.
27 Aug 55
Saturday Because of scattered showers in the afternoon, the Sports Day was postponed until the next afternoon, although the Soap Box Derby was run in the morning. In the evening a Sock Dance was held in the Rec. Hall. During the dance, Crests were awarded to winners of various sports events.
28 Aug 55
Sunday Cloudy and quite cold. Both Protestant and Catholic Church services held today. Track and Field Meet postponed on Saturday, held today.
29 Aug 55
Monday Much warmer today. Mrs. M McGillivray began work today. F/O Evans, AS/FtrC, reported in on posting.
30 Aug 55
Tuesday Cold rainy day. COs Conference in morning.
31 Aug 55
Wednesday Bright rainy day. Very quiet. F/O Champeon arrived today.
1 Sep 55
Thursday Cold and rainy again. Weather most changeable.
2 Sep 55
Friday Still cold and rainy. Father Raymond here from Bagotville. F/O Tracey signed in, remaining until Saturday. Dining-In night in the Officers Mess in honour of S/L and Mrs. Bending.
3 Sep 55
Saturday A fine day to begin the Labour Day weekend. A quiet day on the station.
4 Sep 55
Sunday Everything quiet on the station. Catholic Church services held in the afternoon.
5 Sep 55
Monday Labour Day cold and showery most of the day. The school teachers arrived today, for both schools.
6 Sep 55
Tuesday Bright warm day. Quite busy after the long weekend. COs conference in the morning with S/L Yarnell Acting CO. Mr. LaChance, Federal Income Tax Official came in today.
7 Sep 55
Wednesday Cold and rainy. The Protestant and RC Schools opened this morning. Mr. Woodend and F/O Champeon left today.
8 Sep 55
Thursday Cold and showery all day. The CMR Cadets arrived today, after being delayed a day because of aircraft troubles.
9 Sep 55
Friday The CMR Cadets were entertained by Officers Mess with Dining-In Night and party. Mr. R Bucken from Air Force Headquarters arrived.
10 Sep 55
Saturday A quiet day on the station with a violent thunderstorm lasting all evening. F/L Thompson arrived from Bagotville.
11 Sep 55
Sunday Church services held for both Protestants and Catholics today.
12 Sep 55
Monday F/L Hay and F/L Freebain came in today.
13 Sep 55
Tuesday Extremely cold and windy. CMR Cadets left today. COs Conference in the morning. Promotion Board in the afternoon.
14 Sep 55
Wednesday It was learned that A/V/M Kerr and G/C Willis will visit Station Mont Apica, Sep 21. S/L McKergow arrived today. It snowed a bit in the morning.
15 Sep 55
Thursday Trade Board today. F/L Hea and F/L Freebain left today.
16 Sep 55
Friday Dull, cold day. S/L McKergow left today.
17 Sep 55
Saturday Station Dance in the Rec. Hall well attended.
18 Sep 55
Sunday Nice in morning with rain settling in during the afternoon. Quiet Sunday on the Station.
19 Sep 55
Monday Steady downpour of rain. F/O Law reported in today.
20 Sep 55
Tuesday Rainy day. COs Conference in the morning.
21 Sep 55
Wednesday Snow most of the morning, changing to rain in the afternoon. F/O Sutherland left today.
22 Sep 55
Thursday Bright sunny day after snowy night. W/C Marcou and S/L Yarnell left for Command. S/L St. Louis to be Acting CO. Father Raymond arrived from Bagotville. S/L Tugwell, S/L Martin and F/L Hanson arrived from Command.
23 Sep 55
Friday S/L Tugwell, S/L Martin and F/L Hanson left today.
24 Sep 55
Saturday Drizzling rain most of the day. F/L Thompson arrived from Bagotville.
25 Sep 55
Sunday Services in both Protestant and Catholic churches today.
26 Sep 55
Monday Lovely fall day. F/O Sava, Assistant CAdO, arrived today. F/L Hay left today.
27 Sep 55
Tuesday S/L Monnon and F/O Hicks arrived from AFHQ. Mr. Grundy arrived today.
28 Sep 55
Wednesday Dark rainy day for visit of A/V/M Kerr and G/C Willis. Arrival which was to have been at 1000 hours was delayed until 1530 hours. The A/V/M and G/C stayed the evening visiting the various messes etc.
29 Sep 55
Thursday Beautiful fall day. Fairly quiet.
30 Sep 55
Friday Promotion Day Two Flight Sergeants, one Sergeant and five Corporals. End of month Stock Checks today.
1 Oct 55
Saturday Liberty Run to Quebec City. Sock Dance in Rec. Hall.
2 Oct 55
Sunday Sunny and warm. Catholic Services held in school.
3 Oct 55
Monday Sunny and cooler. Snow at night. Captain Dufresne, Dental Officer from Bagotville arrived. Mr. J McElhatton, Bell Telephone, left on transfer. W/C Marcou left for Command Conference.
4 Oct 55
Tuesday Cloudy and cool. COs Conference held, with Acting CO S/L Yarnell presiding.
5 Oct 55
Wednesday Father Raymond arrived from Bagotville. Games night in Officers Mess much enjoyed by all.
6 Oct 55
Thursday Father Raymond left today. Clear and cold.
7 Oct 55
Friday F/O Pierce and Sgt. St. Germain from Security Branch in for the day.
8 Oct 55
Saturday Quiet Saturday many people leaving station for long weekend. F/L Thompson arrived from Bagotville.
9 Oct 55
Sunday Protestant and Roman Catholic services held today. Capt. Van Pelt and Capt. Shannon of the US 4713th Radar Evaluation ECM Flight arrived today.
10 Oct 55
Monday Thanksgiving Day celebrated quietly on the station with beautiful weather still lasting through the long-weekend. F/O Grady came in today.
11 Oct 55
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with sunny intervals in the afternoon. COs Conference postponed until the next day.
12 Oct 55
Wednesday Beautiful autumn day again. COs Conference until noon. Mr. ME Cairns arrived. S/L Falkner departed today. F/L Hill from Beaverbank arrived on TD. Mess Dinner tonight in Officers Mess.
13 Oct 55
Thursday Clear and cold day. Nothing unusual the Fire Fighters demonstrated the use of the various types of extinguishers.
14 Oct 55
Friday COs Parade at 0730 hours in "brisk" autumn weather. COs Inspection this morning. Auxiliary Box Social in the evening a huge success.
15 Oct 55
Saturday G/C Costello and S/L Gallagher arrived by helicopter for a short visit. Capt. Shannon and Capt. Van Pelt left today.
16 Oct 55
Sunday Quiet day on the station. Sunday School enrolment in Protestant Sunday School. RC Church Services in the afternoon. F/O Sava left today for Winnipeg.
17 Oct 55
Monday Mr. LaCasse on the station today regarding Gift Shop on the unit. Cold day, cloudy for the most part.
18 Oct 55
Tuesday Mr. B Danis of RCA Victor arrived. F/O Harvey of ADCHQ and Mr. W Alexander and Mr. Demers arrived. Major Burgess of Canadian Postal Corps was on the unit for the afternoon. COs Conference in the morning.
19 Oct 55
Wednesday F/O Harvey left today. Mr. Baudet of Baudet of Fils visited the Unit this morning. Mr. Graciano and party of North Shore Construction were on the station in the afternoon. First Bingo of the season held in Airmens Canteen. LAC and Mrs. Sinclair became the proud parents of a baby girl.
20 Oct 55
Thursday Dark rainy day. Uneventful day on the station.
21 Oct 55
Friday F/L Thompson arrived this afternoon. Clear and cold. A baby girl was born to F/O and Mrs. Todd.
22 Oct 55
Saturday Quiet Saturday on the Station.
23 Oct 55
Sunday Services in both Protestant and RC churches today. Snow flurries throughout the day.
24 Oct 55
Monday Quiet Monday on the Station. Heavy rain at nightfall.
25 Oct 55
Tuesday Snow developed from rainstorm. First heavy snowfall of the season with heavy snowfall all day. COs Conference in the morning.
26 Oct 55
Wednesday Still snowing steadily. Bingo tonight in the Rec. Hall.
27 Oct 55
Thursday S/L Kelly, F/O Maxon arrived today. Also Father Raymond from Bagotville, arrived. The snow stopped in the afternoon.
28 Oct 55
Friday Beautiful sunny day. Father Raymond left this morning.
29 Oct 55
Saturday S/L Kelly and F/O Maxon left today. Halloween Dance held in the Rec. Hall with Childrens Halloween party in the afternoon.
30 Oct 55
Sunday Quiet Sunday on the station. RC Church services. P/O Livingstone and F/O Cruikshank arrived on the station.
31 Oct 55
Monday Rain all day and evening but no detriment to the "goblins" that came celebrating Halloween. F/O Elvidge arrived today.
1 Nov 55
Tuesday Dull day threatening rain all day. COs Conference in the morning.
2 Nov 55
Wednesday Mr. Riddle, Cub Scout Commissioner from Quebec City addressed Parents Group Committee in the Combined Mess. Cpls. Qualifying exams today with 15 writing. W/C Marcou left on leave until 11th Nov.
3 Nov 55
Thursday FS Qualifying exams written today with only one candidate from this station. S/L Yarnell, F/L Twambley, F/O Stewart, F/O MacLean went to Conference in Quebec City.
4 Nov 55
Dull cold day. S/L St. Louis Acting CO in S/L Yarnells absence. S/L Yarnell, F/O Stewart, F/O MacLean returned late in the day.
5 Nov 55
Saturday Quiet Saturday on the station; all day rain.
6 Nov 55
Sunday Dull cold day. RC Church services. The theatre completely sold out, with a good movie, "He Walked By Night".
7 Nov 55
Monday Showery all day. Capt. RJ Dufresne, the dentist, arrived from Bagotville. S/L Yarnell and F/L Johnston left on TD for 1 ADCC Conference at Command.
8 Nov 55
Tuesday Snow in the morning. No COs Conference today. Father Raymond arrived from Bagotville.
9 Nov 55
Wednesday Snow all day. F/O Welsh, Assistant CAdO arrived today.
10 Nov 55
Thursday Capt. Dufresne left today. GObC from Three Rivers were on the station for the day.
11 Nov 55
Friday Remembrance Day Church Parade in the morning with F/L Thompson and Father Clouthier taking the services. A dull dark day.
12 Nov 55
Saturday A quiet day on the Station. Officers Mess had successful Treasure Hunt.
13 Nov 55
Sunday RC Church services in the afternoon. Dark day with rain and snow flurries.
14 Nov 55
Monday Snow most of the day with roads becoming increasingly icy.
15 Nov 55
Tuesday Snow all day. Mr. Silver of Sonograph Company arrived today. COs Conference this morning. Dr. Vince, Bureau of Current Affairs, Montreal, arrived today and spoke in the Rec. Hall on the Mediterranean.
16 Nov 55
Wednesday Dr. Vince left today. F/L Twambley and Mr. Cleary accompanied the civilian personnel to St. Joseph dAlma to write examinations. Now most of the day.
17 Nov 55
Thursday F/O Ferris, ADCHQ and Dr. Smith from Toronto and F/L Brunger arrived today.
18 Nov 55
Friday F/O Ferris, F/L Brunger and Dr. AA Smith left today. Snow the better part of the day.
19 Nov 55
Saturday The AFHQ Band here (5 piece orchestra) for Station Dance which was well attended. The reserves arrived for the weekend.
20 Nov 55
Sunday Quiet day on the station with RC Church services.
21 Nov 55
Monday F/O Campbell reported in today. Snow flurries most of the day.
22 Nov 55
Tuesday During the night F/O Hateley and S/L Mills arrived after considerable difficulty, having to walk after their car went off the road. W/C Marcou left today for Ottawa. COs conference in the morning.
23 Nov 55
Wednesday F/O Hateley and S/L Wills left by helicopter for Bagotville this morning. F/O Lloyd reported in this afternoon. Clear in the early part of the day with wet snow in the latter part of the day.
24 Nov 55
Thursday S/L Yarnell and F/O Morrison left today for Lac St. Denis by PMC. F/O Lloyd reported in today. Snow all day.
25 Nov 55
Friday F/L Thompson arrived today. Snow all day. A quiet day on the station. Mr. RH Guile of Bell Telephone reported in today. Cpl. and Mrs. Hibbs became parents of a fine baby boy. Also, F/O and Mrs. Dockendorff welcomed a baby girl.
26 Nov 55
Saturday Quiet day on the station with many away to watch Grey Cup Game on TV at Quebec City.
27 Nov 55
Sunday Snowing steadily all day. Mr. Riddle, Dr. Lindsay and F/L Kirkby arrived tonight. Services in both Protestant and RC Churches today. F/L Thompson left today.
28 Nov 55
Monday F/O Wright reported in today. Steady snow all day.
29 Nov 55
Tuesday Snowing today. Mr. Riddle, Dr. Lindsay and F/L Kirkby left today. COs Conference in the morning.
30 Nov 55
Wednesday F/O Robinson reported in today. Also F/O Burrill and F/O Roach. P/O Tarantelolo returned off leave.
Signed by:
(HF Marcou) W/C
Commanding Officer,
RCAF Station Mont Apica
Historical Report
Operations Section
12 AC&W Squadron
Mont Apica, PQ,
1 Jun 55
Exercise Big Tree cancelled for today. Overlays to be prepared on this overfly.
3 Jun 55
Attempted calibration of EW Kit using MG-3. The information gained was not very beneficial. Must try another run at a later date.
6 Jun 55
Exercise Taxi Driver (B-47 Overfly) on today. Tracking and surveillance for most of the day. Largo gave permission to intercept last wave. Night flying tonight from Bagotville.
7 Jun 55
Exercise Taxi Driver on again today. Some confusion in surveillance. Also on the question of Squadrons obeying controllers instructions. Matter referred to Sector Commander. A very busy day. Communications jamming in the afternoon.
8 Jul 55
Last day of Taxi Driver. Busy day with both 440 and 432 Squadrons operating. A fair number of intercepts completed. Air Spray of station done this evening by a DC-3 from Rockcliffe. Drove the critters out of the woods onto the townsite.
9 Jun 55
Some GCI during the day. 432 Squadron night flying tonight. Chopper 2 off from Bagotville enroute LaTuque Parent Senneterre for a search in that area.
11 Jun 55
Air Force Day Dependents toured tower. Fly past at 1045 EST over the unit. Quiet day.
13 Jun 55
Exercise Blue Chip on. A three day overfly of B-47s. Considerable trouble encountered in plotting these aircraft which were going through this area singly without IFF. Surveillance and the information to be passed to 1 ADCC not satisfactory.
14 Jun 55
Considerable GCI activity today. The overfly was deferred for one day. Night flying tonight.
15 Jun 55
Exercise Blue Chip on again today. S/L Tew up from Sector to investigate our effort on 13 Jun. He saw for himself, Unable to plot what we cant see. Those aircraft at 40,000 feet flying singly and without IFF. Some intercepts being done on D/R positions successfully.
16 Jun 55
Last day of Blue Chip. Tracking capabilities again poor. Did a calibration run to check our antenna tilt. Proved to be within .1 of a degree of our present figure. Must establish reason for our poor pickup.
17 Jun 55
Some intercepts done today. Also, three calibration runs to the northeast and east of the Unit at 35 to 44,000 feet. Attempted to asses the effect of the Tropopause on Radar.
18 Jun 55
Quiet day. Chopper 21 at Mont Apica for Black Fly spray job.
20 Jun 55
Fairly busy day for intercepts. Assisted a KC-97 who would have strayed due to failure of compasses, radar, etc. This aircraft finally landed at PQI. Pilot convinced that radar stations are handy to have. Move to Operations Room taking place tonight and tomorrow.
22 Jun 55
Calibration run on EW Kit with T-33 carried out today. Emergency during morning when S/L Zaleschuck and F/O Arsenault crashed at LaTuque following fire in the air. Scabbard aided in passing information etc. Night flying tonight.
23 Jun 55
SAC overfly (Exercise Air Blast) scheduled for today postponed 24 hours. From this date on Duty Controllers from all units in this sector will be briefed simultaneously by Met. Officer at St. Hubert. MG 6 and 7 had contacts and a lock-on on 5 unidentified objects north of B6 at 39 45,000. Reported to Intelligence.
24 Jun 55
Air Blast postponed 24 hours again. Fairly busy day with considerable fighter activity. Handover of USAF fighters all night.
25 Jun 55
Exercise Air Blast on today. Ten B-47s overflew sector. All were intercepted but some confusion occurred in surveillance. Fairly good day.
26 Jun 55
Exercise Air Blast completed today. 17 B-47s went through, the last 7 without warning. All but one section intercepted. Very good day with no troubles developing. B6 did a rapid turnaround on a CF-100 having him on readiness 17 minutes after landing.
27 Jun 55
Busy day. Both B6 Squadrons operating. RB-11 had a contact on 6 flying objects at 35,000 feet 45 miles west of VL at approximately 2050Z, 400 knots, closing speed and then objects disappeared. Nothing seen by pilot. 440 and 432 Squadrons flew until 1130 pm.
28 Jun 55
440 and 432 Squadrons flying all day including evening flying. Had a query from Crystal for information on SS-9 who had a flame out in a CF-100. Later information indicated that the pilot and the navigator had both ejected successfully.
29 Jun 55
440 and 432 Squadrons again put in a busy day. Receiving warning of Exercise Singapore Sling B-47 overfly on 30 Jun and 1 Jul.
30 Jun 55
Overfly of 12 B-47s given surveillance in early morning. Good radar performance intercepting in the afternoon. F/O Gatz gave assistance to a jet out of B6 with compass trouble. Safely recovered to base. Successfully intercepted all B-47s in overfly during day. Overlay on this exercise is good.
2 Jul 55
S/L Tachereau and members of 2452 (Aux.) AC&W Squadron arrived on camp for summer training. To be present in four groups for the month of July.
3 Jul 55
2452 members address in Station Theatre by S/L St. Louis, F/L Twambley and F/O MacLean.
4 Jul 55
Active day for reserves. 2 Reserve Officers completed 30 intercepts good start for summer training.
5 Jul 55
Another good day for reserves. Completed 23 intercepts. Experienced ECM today. Intercepted the aircraft despite heavy communications jamming. Night flying tonight.
6 Jul 55
SAC overfly by 15 B-47s in early morning. Tracking very good throughout. These aircraft were to give us an ECM workout but did not attempt it. Fair amount of fighter activity today. Some communications jamming in afternoon.
7 Jul 55
Fairly heavy GCI activity today, but this unit was on weekly maintenance. Fighters handed over to Scooter during this period.
8 Jul 55
Last wave of Exercise Picket Fence went through this morning. Consisted of 30 B-47s rather than 15 as planned. No ECM activity.
10 Jul 55
First group of Reserve controllers returning to Quebec City today. Completed 96 intercepts, 9 pipelines, 14 Navigation assists and 45 synthetic intercepts. They also experienced 3 ECM exercises.
11 Jul 55
Fairly busy day with all three squadrons operating from Bagotville. Night flying will go on till 0200.
12 Jul 55
SAC overfly. Picket Fence went through as scheduled. Heavy ECM experienced. Impossible to track these aircraft due to ECM. No fighters again. Fairly intense fighter activity night flying tonight. Another UFO contact.
13 Jul 55
35 intercepts done last night. Appears to be a record. A busy day again for GCI. Night flying again tonight.
14 Jul 55
Long maintenance today and rain.
15 Jul 55
Second large group of auxiliary personnel arrived from Quebec. Briefed in Tower theatre by A/COpsO and Training Officer. 424 Squadron flying over weekend.
18 Jul 55
Rather quiet day prior to commencement of Exercise Deep Rock.
19 Jul 55
Exercise Deep Rock a major SAC exercise commenced at 0002 hours. Personnel divided into five crews working two shifts. The first 24 hours did not bring any SAC activity No SAC aircraft penetrated the area. There were many rumors but no positive reports. Local SAC Observers would not divulge any information.
20 Jul 55
Again spent the day waiting for some activity with Exercise Deep Rock. Fighter aircraft were held on the deck. No activity. Heavy electric storm tonight.
21 Jul 55
First phase of Deep Rock over without a scramble. No Faker activity. Morale of FCOs has been surprisingly high despite the lack of activity. Monthly maintenance today reduced personnel to minimum to give much needed time off.
22 Jul 55
Second phase of Deep Rock (known better as Deep Sleep) began at 1800Z. No activity during the day. Weather conditions very bad during the evening severe electrical storm resulting in power failure and failure of TX facilities. Some Faker activity late in the evening. ECM experienced. Relatively poor tactics by SAC would not have proved to be effective against fighter opposition.
23 Jul 55
Short burst of Faker activity about 1300Z completed this units participation in Deep Rock. Returned to normal Ops routine at 1400Z. 420 (Aux.) (F) Squadron arrived at B6 from London at approximately 1630. Lost 1 aircraft approaching B6 due to weather. Pilot later located OK.
25 29 Jul 55
Operations as usual. Reserve Controllers getting a fair number of intercepts. This will complete their summer camp.
30 Jul 55
420 Squadron lost 1 aircraft at B6 due to flame out on GCA approach. Aircrew OK. 8 pilots from 420 Squadron visiting the unit overnight. Had a tour of the Ops building.
1 Aug 55
Light activity during most of the day. An overfly of 4 B-47s in evening successfully intercepted passing through sub-sector. Night flying cancelled because of weather.
2 Aug 55
Fairly heavy fighter activity during day. Night flying tonight until 0200. S/L Churchill and F/O Armstrong from Ste. Marie visiting unit for 1 weeks familiarization.
5 Aug 55
Azimuth driver bearings show signs of extreme wear. Radar shut down at 1630 hours. Will be on standby state till 0800 7 Aug at which time Techs will begin to dismantle drive assembly. GE giving technical assistance. Expected duration of shutdown 4 days from 0800 7 Aug. This unit will carry on usual surveillance and Ident.
9 Aug 55
B-47 overfly taking place 9 10 11 Aug. B6 fighters having difficult time under Vampire control, surveillance picture very poor.
10 Aug 55
As for 9 Aug Vampires performance slightly better. Very poor VHF facilities. Long awaited overfly of Canberras took place today. Expect radar back on about 2200 tonight.
12 Aug 55
Visitors in the Ops Bldg today Defence Minister Campney and A/C Annis. Given rapid briefing and tour of tower. Seemed to be favourably impressed.
15 Aug 55
Call from S/L Webster 440 Squadron today. In order to meet their night flying commitment they will night fly all this week from 1900 to 0300. Will comply. Two U/T Controllers, F/O Burrows and F/O Moore arrived this week.
16 Aug 55
Due to further trouble with turning gear in antenna drive must take emergency maintenance for 16 hours after night flying tonight.
17 Aug 55
Maintenance proceeding on schedule. S/L Yarnell attending ADC briefing on "endurance test" starting early in September. F/O Sutherland transferred to 2403 (Aux.) AC&W on 24 Sep. F/O Burrows going to CNE on 24 Aug till 11 Sep to man the exhibition of F-86 aircraft.
18 Aug 55
Practice GCI as usual during the day. Night flying going on as usual. Some troubles with unserviceabilities at B6. F-84s from UK to Texas intercepted as they went through sub-sector.
19 Aug 55
Another overfly of F-84s today. Several intercepts on them. Very nearly equal speed compared with CF-100 No room for controller error. No night flying tonight. F/O Dockendorff to go to Palermo ND on cross training on 29 Sep. F/O Morrison now at Caswell.
22 Aug 55
1 ADCC will move to Mont Apica tomorrow to simulate emergency. Everything set for them. Night flying tonight. S/L Yarnell due to arrive this evening, will take over as COpsO.
23 Aug 55
This unit took over 1 ADCCs responsibilities at 0600 this morning. Some confusion at first due to additional Ident. problems. Extra room occupied and situation improved. Sector Commander arrived at 1700, main party in position at 1945.
24 Aug 55
1 ADCC well settled in. Main difficulty in operation stems from shortage of communications due to simulated emergency. Some Faker activity within the sector, some of which were intercepted.
26 Aug 55
1 ADCC personnel departing Mont Apica at 0930. This unit doing both jobs till they arrive at Lac St. Denis. Move completed by 2015 hours. Some confusion in returning to normal at that end.
29 Aug 55
Ops orders received on Canberra exercise and long readiness test. The next month promises to be interesting. 7 available controllers to do the job.
31 Aug 55
ADC personnel arrived today for Canberra trials. This has been the biggest month to date for intercepts completed. The total for the month 405.
1 Sep 55
Signal received this date, unit will be on EW state over Labour Day weekend.
6 Sep 55
Preparations being made for the month beginning 7 Sep as per Ops Order 18/55. This unit will be hard pressed to maintain a 24 hour GCI state, particularly with regard to Controller strength. S/L Yarnell and F/O MacLean to attend a conference at Bagotville tomorrow on this subject.
9 Sep 55
Ref. Conference above: This unit will work with 4 Crews 2 controllers per crew. This will mean that only aircraft scrambled on unknowns may be controlled and the Ident. Officer will do controlling. During his absence Ident. will be done by ORs under the Duty Controllers supervision. The present establishment would not permit a completely realistic 24 hour GCI capability, therefore our actual strength leaves us far below the requirement. This unit will be unable to control fighters on practice intercepts, fighters must be handed over to 13 and 14 AC&Ws during this period. CMR cadets arriving tonight for 3 day stay.
9 Sep 55
Shortage of personnel is very apparent due to advanced Ops state. Also apparent that both Controllers and aircrew are going to be rather out of practice at the end of this exercise.
12 Sep 55
New channelization will be in effect by noon today. S/L Yarnell lecturing to CMR cadets today.
13 Sep 55
Scramble this morning to intercept a balloon in Magnetic Area. Good scramble for 1140Z aircraft was airborne in 2 minutes from scramble order. Personnel situation still critical considering high Ops state. Numerous aircraft requesting close control for practice AI or surveillance. This unit unable to meet their requests.
15 Sep 55
Notice received of visit of Mont Apica by A/V/M Kerr and G/C Willis on Wednesday 21 Sep. This unit again unable to meet demands for control due to personnel shortages.
16 Sep 55
S/L Yarnell attending conference at ADCHQ today. Letter received from A/C Annis re Exercise Bracket (ECM). This unit not to be too deeply affected. Requirements of Ops Order 18/55 being adhered to. Task rather difficult at times.
19 Sep 55
AFHQ Ops Order on Bracket received today. Local operations have been very quiet over the weekend. Some scrambles for unknowns during the period.
20 Sep 55
ECM aircraft operating against St. Sylvestre today. This has not been very effective against this unit to date. Otherwise quiet day. F/O Sutherland leaves the unit tomorrow. Report on first two weeks of increased Ops state sent to 1 ADCC today.
21 Sep 55
Controller strength critical in view of high Ops state. ADCHQ this date instructed that Training Officer and Surveillance Officer be put on shift work.
22 Sep 55
W/C Marcou and S/L Yarnell proceeding to ADCHQ for conference on present readiness test. More drastic steps outlined in the event of loss of more controllers. F/O McKillop proceeding to Clinton on Guided Missile course on 23 Sep. No spare controllers as of today.
23 Sep 55
Operations as usual today. Received call from S/L Yarnell at 1630 stating that the exercise had been called off. Unit to return to normal routine 8 hours GCI and 16 EW. New schedules etc. to be made up.
26 Sep 55
Requirement for more GCI from 1 ADCC. The situation discussed at some length. No positive solution found. Many fighters turned away no controllers.
27 Sep 55
Above requirement confirmed by signal. This unit will provide GCI for the B6 Squadrons till radar is off for overhaul on 30 Sep.
28 Sep 55
A/V/M Kerr and G/C Willis visiting this unit this date. Will remain overnight.
29 Sep 55
F/O Burrows and F/O Moore left for Controllers course at Tyndall today.
30 Sep 55
Radar off for one weeks yearly maintenance starting at 0830 hours. This unit still responsible for Ident. procedures for St. Sylvestre. Will require 1 Controller and approximately 14 FtrCops in Ops. Bldg at all times.
1 Oct 55
This unit on annual maintenance for one week. New controller schedule in effect.
2 Oct 55
Normal routine and very little activity.
3 Oct 55
Weather poor and runway wet. If scrambles necessary recovery will have to be at some other airport.
4 Oct 55
New schedule drawn up effective 8 Oct. Unorthodox schedule due to heavy GCI commitments Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening.
5 Oct 55
Radar Officer advises Scabbard will probably be back on the air during the Friday evening shift. Overfly of 64 B-47s overlapped us from VK and VN.
6 Oct 55
Normal routine. Considerable fighter activity handed over to VA and VN. Clarification on AC 508 asked from Sector.
17 Oct 55
GCI commitment still quite heavy 424 Squadron requesting largely Harlequin procedures. Error found in signal laying down GCI periods for this Unit. Must adjust schedule to accommodate.
21 Oct 55
Another Random flight today. Nine aircraft from 432 Squadron will be going to Hamilton tomorrow for gunnery.
24 Oct 55
First snowfall today. Quiet day for operations.
26 Oct 55
SAC overfly today. No fighter action against these aircraft. A USAF B-20 with jammer went through the area. Intercepted successfully by CF-100s from Bagotville.
31 Oct 55
Antenna tilts have been set by 1 ADCC. Results to be observed. With the general deterioration of weather and the shortage of personnel (Controllers) this month has been rather quiet from an operations viewpoint.
2 Nov 55
Unusual AP noted today. At 1800Z radar picked up a hill SE (40 miles) of Mont Jolie. Then three more on the same bearing up to 220 miles range. Heavy inversions. F/O McKillop posted to Falconbridge also F/O Clouthier.
3 Nov 55
S/L Yarnell, F/O Morrison and F/O MacLean, F/O Stewart, F/L Twambley to Quebec City to attend conference with 2452 (Aux.) AC&WS re winter training program. RB 15 crashed 32 miles north of BG tonight.
5 Nov 55
Ground Search and Rescue party from this unit went to BG this morning to join in search for survivors of above crash.
7 Nov 55
S/L Yarnell and F/L Johnston to Station St. Hubert to attend #1 Sector Conference.
8 Nov 55
SAC B-47 overfly today Harlequin intercept run on one flight. Successful.
9 Nov 55
SAC overfly again today. Considerable fighter activity. Successful intercepts.
10 Nov 55
Last day of this overfly. Shortage of controllers makes control problem acute when this unit must turn aircraft away and have them do "mutual" set-ups.
18 Nov 55
Dr. AA Smith Radar Group Applied Experimental Psychology Section, Defence Research, Medical Laboratories, Downsview and F/L Brunger ADCHQ STelO Branch, visited Mont Apica Ops Bldg to conduct lighting and trace brilliance Scope Set Up Experiments.
24 Nov 55
S/L Yarnell and F/O Morrison at a Conference #1 ADCC "Harlequin Procedures".
28 Nov 55
Dr. Lindsay Mr. J Russell F/L Kirkby from ADCHQ Analyst team for Exercise "Cracker Jack" visited the Ops Bldg. A breakdown of the various recording forms were presented and discussed to the Ops Controllers and the ALOs.