RCAF STATION ST. MARGARETS
21 AC&W SQUADRON
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
1 June 59 31 May 59
OPERATIONS
2 Jun 59
15 Students from #1 (F) OTU visited the Operations tower at St. Margarets for CCI familiarization training.
3 Jun 59
13 CF-100s made up the faker force for exercise "Booby Trap". 6 CF-100s were deployed to Chatham and also 4 Banshees from Shearwater were the interceptor force available. Results were 4 MAs and 11 MIs (4 GEF, 2AEF, 5Ce).
4 Jun 59
Checkerboard. The 6 CF-100s finished Phase I training at Chatham and returned to their home base. Fighter commitment was relinquished at 1200Z.
5 Jun 59
This unit experienced Electronic Jamming and mechanical jamming from 0301Z 0320Z from a SAC aircraft doing a run on a GCI site in the 26th Air Division.
9 Jun 59
More electronic jamming experienced from 0605Z 0620Z.
10 Jun 59
#2 Div on "Cocked Pistol" (STP) at 2014Z for exercise Desk Top II, simulated NORAD wide STP Problem.
11 Jun 59
#2 Div Fadeout for Desk Top II at 2259Z. Big Blast Persian Rug Exercise with SAC. 6 B-47s penetrated sub-sector, electronic and mechanical jamming experienced. Nil intercept action taken.
13 Jun 59
F/L WD Bevans from 2405 AC&W Squadron (Aux) arrived for two weeks TD at 21 AC&W Squadron for Phase III training. Bearcat aircraft on a ECM mission with 26th Air Div also gave Midwife electronic jamming from 0305 0510Z.
17 Jun 59
Triangulation exercise #3 with Signpost commenced at 0115Z.
19 Jun 59
Exercise Big Blast Bear Track occurred with the sub-sector being penetrated by 6 B-47s. No intercepts attempted.
26 Jun 59
6 B-47s (big Blast Persian Rug) penetrated the sub-sector.
24 Jun 59
The sub-sector was penetrated by 5 B-47 aircraft. (Mudhen). No intercept action taken.
25 Jun 59
The sub-sector was penetrated by 5 B-47s during this period.
26 Jun 59
3 B-47s (Big Blast Persian Rug Exercise) penetrated the sub-sector.
27 Jun 59
F/L WS Bennett from 2405 Aux AC&W Sqn reported in for summer training for a two week period. The sub-sector was again penetrated by 6 B-47s as part of exercise Big Blast Bear Track.
28 Jun 59
A Russian TU 114 carried by TE radar from 1308 1349Z as it passed en route to New York from Goose Bay.
29 Jun 59
Electronic jamming experienced for a 45 minute period. Source was a SAC aircraft doing a run on a nearby site in the 26th Air Division.
30 Jun 59
1 B-47 on a SAC training mission passed thru the sub-sector West-East.
1 Jul 59
Electronic jamming, condition 1 experienced for a 1 hr. period. Source was a SAC aircraft jamming 26th Air Div Radars. The sub-sector was penetrated on three different occasions by a total of 7 B-47 aircraft.
3 Jul 59
Electronic jamming condition II on TE scopes from 0257 0328Z.
4 Jul 59
ECM triangulation exercise #3 with Signpost took place 2330 0020Z.
5 Jul 59
Triangulation exercise #13 with Signpost 2130 2257Z.
7 Jul 59
6 CF-100 aircraft arrived at Chatham from Bagotville in preparation for Exercise Booby Trap. 9 B-47s penetrated TE sub-sector on SAC training missions.
8 Jul 59
Exercise Booby Trap commenced at 1400Z. Results were 21 MAs and 9 MIs.
9 Jul 59
1 B-47 penetrated the sub-sector on a SAC training mission.
10 Jul 59
15 SAC bomber aircraft penetrated the sub-sector on SAC training missions throughout this period.
11 Jul 59
2 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector during this period, no intercept action attempted.
13 Jul 59
A Russian TU 114 and a TU 104 passed through our area, carried on TE radar for a 24 minute period.
14 Jul 59
7 B-47s penetrated the TE sub-sector during this period on SAC training missions.
16 Jul 59
6 SAC Bombers were carried by TE radar as they passed through our sub-sector on SAC training missions.
17 Jul 59
Electronic jamming occurred from 0320 0405Z. Source SAC B-47 jamming 26th Air Div sites as part of exercise Big Blast Persian Rug.
19 Jul 59
TE sub-sector penetrated on two separate occasions on SAC training missions.
20 Jul 59
F/L DS Shepherd departed for Cold Lake for the Controller Proficiency course.
21 Jul 59
SAC bombers on training missions, 15 aircraft penetrated TE boundaries on 6 occasions.
22 Jul 59
17 B-47s were carried by TE radar on SAC training missions. Electronic jamming condition I experienced for 25 minutes, source unknown.
23 Jul 59
Electronic and mechanical jamming employed against TE by 10 B-47s as exercise "High Wind" took place. No intercepts attempted. KSJ 1 F-89J passed through TE area carrying an MB 1 en route to Oates AFB.
24 Jul 59
8 CF-100s from Bagotville deployed to Chatham for exercise Cueball. All results were MIs due to Personal error, and radio channels being unserviceable. F/L WD Hawkes reported in from #1 Air Div.
27 Jul 59
10 B-47s penetrated the area on SAC Training missions.
28 Jul 59
TE sub-sector penetrated by 11 B-47s on SAC training missions.
29 Jul 59
Royal Flight 1 carrying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip carried by TE radar QM- ZX.
30 Jul 59
Strawboss exercise occurred with TE handling all Faker aircraft 12 USAF T-33s until they were over their IP point for runs on 26th Air Div.
2 Aug 59
Royal Flight 1 departed Halifax en route to England.
3 Aug 59
F/L WS Deacon departed for Cold Lake to take the Controllers Proficiency Course. S/L Legace reported to the Squadron this date prior to taking the Fighter Controllers Course in Florida. 5 B-47 bombers penetrated TE boundaries on SAC training missions.
4 Aug 59
16 SAC aircraft were carried by TE radar on routine SAC missions.
5 Aug 59
Exercise Booby Trap with a Faker force of 16 CF-100s took place. 4 Sabres from Chatham were scrambled for TE control, results 4 MAs. F/O Martin reported for duty from the Fighter Controller Course in Florida. Previously F/O Martin was a CF-100 pilot at St Hubert.
6 Aug 59
2 SAC B-47s penetrated TE sub-sector on a training mission.
7 Aug 59
Electronic jamming condition 2 experienced by TE radar. Source was 3 B-47s and lasted for 30 minutes.
10 Aug 59
3 SAC aircraft carried by TE radar as they carried out routine training missions.
11 Aug 59
Triangulation Exercise #19 with Signpost commenced 1300Z, over at 1500Z.
12 Aug 59
Strawboss exercise with USAF T-33 fakers out of Chatham took place. Fakers were controlled to their IP point for runs against 26th Air Div.
13 Aug 59
Electronic jamming occurred for 30 minutes on TE radar. Source SAC aircraft Hepcat Edsel.
14 Aug 59
14 SAC aircraft (B-52s & B-47s) penetrated the sub-sector on training missions.
16 Aug 59
3 B-52s penetrated TE sub-sector on a SAC training mission.
18 Aug 59
Triangulation Exercise #13 with Signpost occurred 1320Z 1400Z.
19 Aug 59
TE radar subject to condition 1 Electronic jamming for a 20 minute interval, source unknown.
20 Aug 59
Big Blast Alpha Mission with SAC occurred, no interceptors available. TE experienced electronic and mechanical jamming for a 40 minute period as the bombers were flying through our area.
24 Aug 59
Triangulation Exercise #3 with Signpost took place 1630 1830Z.
25 Aug 59
SAC KC-97 Upkeep 62 declared an emergency in TE area (loss of engine) and was vectored for Harmon and handed over to Capable Control. Upkeep 62 landed at Harmon without difficulty. Triangulation Exercise #13 with Signpost from 1328Z 1400Z.
26 Aug 59
Boeing 707 carrying President of the United States was carried on TE radar as it passed through our area. 4 B-47s penetrated TE sub-sector on a routine SAC training mission.
27 Aug 59
Another Strawboss Exercise took place with USAF T-33 fakers from CH to penetrate 26th Air Div.
31 Aug 59
Fleetwood 1 carried by TE radar en route UL Gander
1 Sep 59
Triangulation Exercise #17 with Signpost took place 1245Z 1354Z.
3 Sep 59
Synthetic triangulation exercise #25 conducted from 1210Z 1358Z. 6 CF-100s from Bagotville arrived as Phase II of Exercise Checkerboard began. This will give the sector all weather capability continuously. Exercise Booby Trap occurred with 3 CF-100s from Chatham as the interceptor force. Results were 12 MAs & 4 MIs. TE radar was subject to electronic jamming condition one for 35 minutes. Source, SAC aircraft running on 26th Air Div.
4 Sep 59
1 B-47 penetrated the sub-sector boundaries on a SAC training mission.
7 Sep 59
Air Force 1 carrying President Eisenhower passed through TE sub-sector westbound.
8 Sep 59
A Russian TV 104 carried by TE radar as it passed through a portion of the sub-sector. An ECM exercise with Boneyard 2 a ECM C-119 from 104K Flight commenced 1750Z. Jamming ceased 1835Z.
9 Sep 59
Exercise Cueball took place with SAC aircraft as the faker force. Results for CF-100 from Chatham were 1 MAs and 8 MIs.
10 Sep 59
3 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector on a SAC training mission.
14 Sep 59
2 B-47 SAC aircraft carried by TE radar on training mission.
15 Sep 59
Triangulation Exercise #28 with Signpost commenced at 1315Z, ceased at 1410Z. A Russian TU 104 followed by a Russian TU 114 were carried on TE radar en route to Washington.
17 Sep 59
Sector level Exercise carried out with a CF-100 faker from Harmon AFB, intercepted by 2 CF-100s from CH. Results 2 MAs.
19 Sep 59
1 B-47 flew through TE sub-sector during this period on a training mission.
21 Sep 59
3 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector during SAC training missions.
23 Sep 59
Jumbo 24 scrambled to intercept Logbook 48 B-47 aircraft squawking Mayday. JB24 reported LB48 had one engine exploded, but able to hold altitude, proceeded to Loring AFB with no further difficulty.
24 Sep 59
Another Russian TU-104 carried on TE radar en route to the United States. Triangulation exercise #22 carried out with Signpost 1300 1500Z.
25 Sep 59
TE radar experienced electronic jamming condition 1, from 0230 0245Z. Source a SAC aircraft commencing a run on the 26th Air Division.
27 Sept 59
A Russian TU-104 carried by TE radar en route to Washington.
1 Oct 59
Russian TU-114 carried by TE radar en route back to Moscow. Exercise Cueball was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
2 Oct 59
F/O Arthur departed on TD to Cold Lake for the Controller Proficiency Course.
5 Oct 59
Big Blast Mission with SAC faker aircraft participating. TE radar experienced Condition 2 electronic jamming 2344 0053Z. 3 CF-100s were scrambled for intercepts, results 2 MIs and 1MA.
6 Oct 59
Exercise #15 with Signpost carried out 1310Z 1355Z.
7 Oct 59
Big Blast Persian rug exercise took place with SAC aircraft acting as the faker force. CF-100s from CH achieved 3 MAs and 2 MIs against the fakers. TE radar experienced electronic and mechanical jamming from 0337 0448Z.
8 Oct 59
Exercise Booby Trap occurred utilizing CF-100 aircraft as fakers. CH CF-100s under TE control achieved 4 MAs and 1 MI.
13 Oct 59
TE radars experienced jamming from a B-47 from 0300 0345. Exercise Fast Move commenced at 2040Z and concluded 1900Z 14 Oct. TE radars experienced mechanical and electrical jamming at various periods. 16 CF-100 and F-86 aircraft were scrambled for TE control with 4 MAs and 12 MIs. Reason for MIs was the fakers did not penetrate our sub-sector.
16 Oct 59
A Big Blast exercise occurred during this period. CF-100 aircraft under TE control achieved 3 MAs and 2 MIs on SAC faker aircraft.
18 Oct 59
8 SAC bombers penetrated the sub-sector during this period on SAC training missions.
20 Oct 59
TE was subject to electronic jamming as a SAC aircraft, Reno 47 did a site run on TG.
21 Oct 59
A Sector level exercise Chessmatch, with the CF-100 detachment from CG handled by TE. Results 2 MAs, 2MIs.
26 Oct 59
Fleetwood 1 carried on TE radar en route to CH aerodrome.
27 Oct 59
TE was affected by electronic jamming as Reno 45 did a site run on TK. Duration of the jamming was 36 minutes.
29 Oct 59
Triangulation exercise #16 with Signpost occurred from 1510Z 1600Z.
30 Oct 59
TE radar was subject to a short burst, 20 minute duration, of electronic jamming from SAC "Big Blast" aircraft.
31 Oct 59
F/O RD Sims reported into squadron for contact training.
3 Nov 59
Reno 46, doing a site rung on the 26th Air Div, also supplied TE with 25 minutes of electronic jamming.
4 Nov 59
12 SAC bomber aircraft penetrated TEs sub-sector during this period on training missions.
6 Nov 59
TE radar experienced electronic jamming for approximately 3 hours from SAC aircraft doing runs on the 26th Air Division.
8 Nov 59
8 B-47s overflew TE radar coverage during this period on routine SAC training missions.
10 Nov 59
Triangulation exercise #19 completed with Signpost. TE experienced electronic jamming as 5 B-47s on exercise "Big Blast Bear Trap" passed through the sub-sector to penetrate 26th Air Division.
11 Nov 59
F/L HR Chapman TOS St. Margarets from #2 (F) Wing Grostenquin, France.
12 Nov 59
ECM C-119, Boneyard 3, supplied electronic and mechanical jamming for #2 Div sites and jamming for the CF-100 fighters during this exercise. 3 fighters under TE control achieved 5 MAs on the C-119. Signpost took part by passing ECM fixes to the units concerned.
13 Nov 59
14 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector during this period. TE radars experienced considerable jamming as a portion of these were on a Big Blast exercise with the 26th Air Division.
16 Nov 59
TE search radar off the air for approximately 1 week to replace FPS-3 radome with the new rigid type radome.
18 Nov 59
7 B-47s penetrated the area over this period on training missions. Triangulation exercise #18 with Signpost took place 1400 1600Z.
19 Nov 59
Exercise "Cueball" commenced 2337Z. TE support was limited to fighter handovers to adjacent units due to the lack of search radar.
21 Nov 59
FPS-3 search radar back on the air. No radome installed due to defective parts. Rigid radome will be installed as soon as proper parts arrive.
23 Nov 59
F/O JR Comeau from 2405 Aux AC&W Squadron at Halifax reported in for a weeks TD.
25 Nov 59
7 SAC aircraft penetrated TE sub-sector during the period on routine training missions.
30 Nov 59
2 B-52s penetrated the sub-sector on routine training missions during this period.
SUMMARY
Role 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
This unit continued to function in its assigned role as directed in ADC Ops plans.
Identification 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
During this period 21 Squadron carried 24,233 tracks of which 50 were classified unknown. Of this total 38 were later identified, leaving 12 tracks remaining unknown.
Surveillance 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
As the one room operations is maintained, this unit remains responsible for the display of all tracks in #2 Division NNR. During this period a total of 10,815 flight plans were received. Tote boards continue to be used extensively for displaying amplifying track data.
Aircraft Control 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
Provisions for control for air to air firing practice intercepts and letdowns and flight surveillance for training aircraft of 1 (F) OTU at Station Chatham continued throughout the period. Control for CF-100 AI fighter aircraf was provided whenever these aircraft were based at Station Chatham on exercise "Checkerboard". An average of 4 controllers on regular day shift, and 2 controllers on evening shift, compiled a total of 1759:13 scope hours. A total of 4,567 missions were flown by 1 (F) OTU during this period. There were a total of 809 handovers completed with adjacent units of the RCAF and USAF. Following is a breakdown of controller activities:
624 |
AI Intercepts |
1406 |
Day Intercepts |
1268 |
Recoveries |
1497 |
Synthetic Intercepts |
570 |
Synthetic Recoveries |
Personnel 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
During this period there were an average of 123 FtrCops divided into 6 crews and also day staff and training requirements. There were an average of 6 Senior NCOs and 19 Cpls acting as supervisory personnel during this period. Controller strength for this period came to an average of 18. There were 6 officers employed as Crew Controllers with the balance of the Controllers working on a normal day shift.
Synthetic Training 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
STP training took place Monday, Wednesday and Friday of every week with all personnel benefiting from the difficulties and experience these problems offered.
Training 1 Jun 30 Nov 59
Controller and FtrCop training programs were handled by one Officer, one Senior NCO, 3 Cpls and two LACs.
FtrCops Trade Advancement Courses
Two TA courses were held during Sept Oct 59 with 36 FtrCops attending. Each course was of a 2 week duration and conducted in accordance with ASI 3/4/7.
Radar Reporting Course
Ten Radar Reporting courses were held during the period with 60 FtrCops attending. Each course was for a 3 day duration and covered Radar Reporting procedures listed in NORAD Regs, ASIs, and 21 AC&W Squadron SOPs.
Display Course
4 Display courses were held during the period with 24 FtrCops attending. Each course was of a three day duration and dealt with displaying procedures (Tote and GSM) listed in NORAD Regs, ASIs, and 21 AC&W Squadron SOPs.
Week-end TA
Week-end TA was held every Saturday and Sunday and consisted of lectures and demonstrations to familiarize personnel with new equipment and procedures. TA was carried out by individual Crew Chiefs with necessary direction from Training Section.
Crew Competition Tests
Six monthly crew competition tests were held with all FtrCops trade on strength writing. Each test covered one subject of the FtrCop trade and consisted of 50 questions of the multiple choice type. These tests are designed to challenge the tradesman to meet his responsibility of self-study.
ICA Courses
Seven ICA Courses were held with 30 FtrCops attending. A total of eight trained ICAs received extra instruction on an Advanced Computer Phase Course of one day duration when operational commitments would allow.
Special TA Assignments
Six FtrCops who showed weaknesses in their trade knowledge were given personal instruction and examinations.
STP Training
All personnel of the Training Section took part in every STP exercise held at this unit. They were employed on the TOR team, Fighter Ops and as Fighter Pilot on the 15-J1D.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTION
1 Jun 59
FMP 3: 48565 Sgt W Brazeau attended TgTech refresher course at 1 R&CS Clinton.
12 Jun 59
The Telecom section set up an electronic display at RCAF Chatham for Air Force Day.
15 Jun 59
Comm: F/L Stewart and F/O Clark of AFHQ carried out UHF siting. Radar: Excavation started for the new FPS-6 Tower. FMP 3: 40371 Cpl EM Kant TgTech SOS, transferred to Station Whitehorse. 244748 LAC PJ Dube TgTech SOS, transferred to St Jean PQ.
17 Jun 59
S/L Sansoucy of ADCHQ carried out Command inspection of Telecom.
20 Jun 59
FMP-3: NCO i/c FMP-3 toured stations serviced by FMP-3.
29 Jun 59
Comm: Crystal Oscillators EO3, for HF Voice, installed.
1 Jul 59
FMP-3: TOS 50386 LAC AG Skilliter and 151904 LAC RH Loveless from 1 R&CS.
7 Jul 59
Message Centre: TOS 234119W Cpl EH Jackson TTOp from 2 (F) Wing Grostenquin.
10 Jul 59
Message Centre: 244192 LAC JCI Murphy TTOp attended SIT course.
31 Jul 59
Radar, Comm and Telephone completed one floor operation change-over.
7 Aug 59
Comm: Net 26 VHF/FM operational.
25 Aug 59
TOS 240600 F/O H Davis Tech/Tel.
27 Aug 59
FMP-3: 37148 Cpl H Mainville attended TgTech refresher course at 1 R&CS Clinton.
31 Aug 59
Radar: F/L A Ireland, ADCHQ, inspected Radar Section.
15 Sep 59
Comm: HF Net 12 change-over to HF Nets 21 and 22 completed.
19 28 Sep 59
Radar: CGE carried out modifications to FPS-6.
28 Sep 59
FMP-3: 201668 Sgt M Styba on TD to Training Command re Trade Study guides for TgTech.
5 Oct 59
Radar: TPS-501 put in storage, part of RIP programme.
14 Oct 59
Radar: G/C Gwyn, ADCHQ, toured Radar Section.
27 Oct 59
Message Centre: 151800 LAW ME Rose released, Marriage.
28 Oct 59
Message Centre: 50911W LAW B Beshara TTOp released, Marriage. Radar: Inflated radome removed from Left Tower (TPS-501).
9 Nov 59
A/V/M Kerr, AMP AFHQ, toured Telecom Sections.
13 21 Nov 59
Radar: Annual overhaul of FPS-6, CGE Co.
13 Nov 59
Radar: Inflated radome over FPS-3 removed.
16 18 Nov 59
Radar: RIP Power Changeover.
18 20 Nov 59
Radar: Start of assembly of Rigid Radome, radome declared unsuitable for erection, FPS-3 operational without cover.
1 Jun 30 Nov 59
TOS 54702 AC1 W Snider ComTech(G) from 1R&CS; 136993 LAC B Adams TelTech from Station Mont Apica. SOS 24551 LAC JP Soucy ComTech and 132288 LAC GD Myrah ComTech to overseas units. 246378 LAC I Tait TelTech to Station Mont Apica.