Parent, QC

Truck pickup 486B20-A56 received from the depot. This truck fills the establishment for the two CE vehicles. The LaTuque Telephone Company installed the first telephones at Station Parent for private subscribers. RCAF Station Parent took over six new PMQs from the contractor. Later, another four PMQs were taken over. These PMQs were a welcome addition to the station. Social activity was intense over the festive season in all messes and institutes. The New Years Eve Station Ball was a huge success.

Airevac 994 (6 persons) Frobisher to Dorval. Red Robin exercise (4 PR aircraft). Wrinkle aircraft KC-97s - surveillance. FPS-6 handed over to RCAF Parent. FLP 21 lost NE of Mistassini. G/C Jardine on staff visit. 5 B-52s overfly. Chancelight VII (N/A Scooter). Piper Cub, Senneterre-Oskeland-Roberval late - RCC Trenton notified. Two C-47s AF414 and 330 from Trenton searching. Emergency GOR2 - escorted YB GORI.

Extremely cold weather and high operational commitment prevented SAR exercises.

A one week course on the CW20A microwave equipment was conducted at Station Parent by Mr. Cecil of the RCA Company. RCAF Station Parent took over four new PMQs and the new Guard House from the contractor.

The construction of the curling rink was completed. Some sixty enthusiasts were in the process of forming rinks. All winter sports were in full swing both indoors and outdoors.

Cocked Pistol 1331Z-1551Z. Emergency VC599 - landed safely at St. Hubert. Chancelight VIII (N/A Scooter). ECM. Exercise Peacekeeper ( 3 pair Bagotville aircraft). Cocked Pistol (2 pair Ottawa aircraft). Exercise Caveman.

One exercise including eight men. Duration of exercise was two days and one night. Extremely mild weather prevailed on the first day which made travel very hard in deep snow. A new light weight camp stove developed by the Commanding Officer was tested.

G/C Jardine, CO RCAF Station, St. Hubert, QC, visited the station. The renovation of the Airmen’s and Airwomen’s lounge was commenced.

ECM. BPY crashed off St. Hubert runway (was to be under VA control). B-47 overfly (3 pair St. Hubert aircraft). B-47 overfly (6 pair Bagotville aircraft). Cocked Pistol - Caveman D-2.

Two small scale exercises held to practice new people on snowshoes and compass reading. Total duration was three days.

A new 28 passenger Western Flyer bus type 4A32-056 was received and disposal action taken on the old bus.

A/C PA Gilchrist, D/Ops ADCHQ, visited this station. S/L Betty Dalton, AFHQ, also visited the station. The COpO, S/L Shaw was notified that he was posted to Station Cranberry Portage as CO. The CO, W/C Lawrence, was notified that he was transferred to ADCHQ (to be in charge of the re-organization of Auxiliary Squadrons in Canada) effective May 57. The CAdO, F/L Buxton, was notified that he was transferred to AAFCE, Fontainbleau, France effective 15 May 57. The winter sports are now phasing out. There is much anticipation toward the spring and summer transfers.

Senneterre Sports Weekend - This was a sports meet, of annual vintage, held at Station Senneterre on 2-3-4 March. Approximately sixty-five male and female personnel from Parent went over for this meet. Events included: bowling, volleyball, basketball, badminton, curling, hockey and a special flying saucer event between the two Station Commanders. An added feature was a play-off between Senneterre and Parent volleyball teams in the RCAF Volleyball Tournament. This match was won by Parent. The overall meet was won by Station Senneterre.

RCAF Wire Bowling Tournament - Four teams - 2 ladies and 2 men’s took part in this tournament on 21 Mar, with a roll off in the station alleys.

RCAF Volleyball Tournament - Aces volleyball team went to Station St. Hubert - airlift from Val d’Or - on Mar 29 to enter Zone playoff. Defeated by USAF Detachment team four to three in best of five play-off. Team included - W/C Lawrence, F/L Jordan, F/O Hines, F/O McRury, FS Foster, FS Faulkner, Sgt. Banks, LAC Richdale and LAC Loma.

ECM. ECM FC2. CF404 missing. Called Casey. No word. Yearly maintenance. Back on air. B-52 overfly (1 pair Bagotville aircraft). Casey runways bare and in good condition.

A large exercise included 10 men, for three days and two nights. Training was held in map and compass reading, general camping and bush travel and in small arms handling.

The Northern Electric Company overhauled the AN/FPS-3 Search Radar and Pressurizing System for the main dome. Mr. A Nicholson of the Bell Telephone Company conducted a one week course for telephone technicians on telephone installation and pole climbing. The RCA Company did a peaking on the two Back-Up Height Finders (AN/TPS-501 #1 and 2) and the Synthetic Target Generator (15J1D).

The official opening of the Blue Room, newly decorated lounge in Club 14, was held 12 Apr 57. A very successful program was laid out including cocktails, buffet supper and dance. Preparations were well advanced for the summer sports program. Sports equipment was being renewed and recorded or re-ordered. The first Cinemascope picture was shown in the Station Theatre on 17 Apr. The picture was "Tea and Sympathy". On 14 Apr the Senneterre basketball team visited the station. The winter phase of station mess entertainment was now ending. The season was considered very successful with all activities well attended.

Emergency NBF - Radio failure. Cocked Pistol - SAC aircraft from north. Apple Jack. ECM. Cocked Pistol. Cocked Pistol. ECM exercise. SOS TP-41 - Transponder trouble.

The rescue team was employed in the bush for ten days on a pest control scheme. This is now continuous.

A truck panel 611B5-B56 was received. This truck filled the new ME establishment providing a vehicle for the Air Force Police. The CE Section commenced excavation for the approved extension of the CE Section. The first overhaul of the AN/FPS-6 was commenced by the main contractor the Canadian General Electric Company.

The new CO, W/C CS Yarnell, assumed command of this station on 14 May 57. A handing over parade was held at 1500 hours 14 May 57. F/L JR Jolley replaced F/L Buxton as CAdO on 3 May 57. F/L K Norman replaced F/L Birch as COpsO on 15 May. On 28 May 57, Confirmation was held in the Station Chapel for fourteen RC personnel. In connection with this event His Excellency Most Reverend Joseph A Demaris, Bishop of Amos, was shown over the station. The Bishop later received members of the station in the Officer’s Mess. This reception was followed by an informal dinner in honour of the reception.

Signed by:
(CS Yarnell) W/C
CO, RCAF Station Parent.