St. Sylvestre, QC

The DND Auditors arrived to carry out the annual audit. This is the first DM Audit since the unit officially opened on 13 Feb 54.

The Commanding Officer reviewed the Airwomen’s Precision Flights. This flight is composed of unit airwomen under supervision of F/O AE Bradbury, Adjutant. The precision drill was drawn up by F/O Bradbury.

The unit was visited by F/L Jan Parent, Matron at Command HQs.

The DND Auditors held a debriefing in the Conference Room of the Tower.

F/O AAV Cherkowski assumed the duties of Acting Adjutant until the arrival of the new Adjutant. F/O Bradbury departed for Calgary to assume her new duties at the Recruiting Unit.

Dr. Dawson arrived on the unit for briefing of Operations personnel on part which they were to play in synthetic training exercises being carried out by adjacent USAF AC&W Squadrons.

F/O Tom Tracy, Area Social Welfare Officer, arrived for his routine visit.

Dr. Dawson departed from the unit for Station St. Hubert.

Station on Sunday routine for August Bank Holiday.

A bus load of ball players departed for Station St. Huberts. The airmen’s team played at St. Jeans and won 12-9 while the airwomen’s team lost to Station St. Huberts 13-9 at St. Huberts.

S/L Yarnell and F/L McLean arrived on TD to visit Operations.

Station St. Sylvestre requested to arrange for funeral services of LAC St. Jacques, Station Chatham. LAC St. Jacques home is at Lorretteville, PQ. F/O Dechene assigned to duties of arranging necessary details.

Station St. Sylvestre won softball game from Lac St. Denis. The score was 13-0.

F/O Dechene and a full funeral party attended the funeral services for LAC St. Jacques at Lorretteville.

Ottawa announced a raise in flying pay.

S/L Millidge and F/O Brown visited the unit.

The Station softball team lost 4-1 in a softball game in the Zone finals at St. Hubert.

W/C Mathieson, SOAF, visited the unit on an Accounts inspection.

W/C Trischuk, SOCE, Air Defence Command, visited the unit on a CE inspection.

Completed exterior painting of all PMQs.

Station on Sunday routine for Labour Day Holiday.

The Protestant and RC Schools commenced the 1956/57 School year this date.

F/L WM McDowall reported in from 4(F)Wing to assume the duties of PAdO.

The CO, CAdO and COpsO on TD to Station St. Hubert for practice flying and cross training. S/L AE Kelly assumed command of the unit.

Four of Operations personnel were involved in a car accident at 0200 hours 9 Sep 56 on highway near St. George de Beauce, Que. Personnel involved were: LACs WG Heard and WE MacDonald, who were admitted to hospital at St. Georges; AW1 E Dominic admitted to Station Hospital and AW1 JH Kingscote who was not detained. The car, owned by AW1 Kingscote was severely damaged.

The CO, CAdO and COpsO returned from TD at Station St. Hubert.

Sgt. Gilbert proceeded to Pierreville to pick up new fire truck.

The Auxiliary Squadron from Three Rivers, Que arrived for weekend training.

The landscaping of the station area was stopped as it was too late for seeding.

Battle of Britain Sunday. Fifty of the unit personnel attended Church Services on the unit at 1100 hours. At 1200 hours they proceeded to Quebec City and joined with units from CARDE, Quebec City and Drummondville in a service at the Cross of Sacrifice. Following inspection by His Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Vincent Massey, the parade moved off for a March Past. The band of the Royal 22^nd Regiment was in attendance. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favour as it drizzled rain all afternoon.

F/O Sinclair, CFPO at ADCHQ, arrived on TD to give fire fighters instructions in operation of new Fire Truck 10G8-A55.

At 1830 hours this date a Security alert was executed when F/L Brook and an infiltration team of five men tested the vulnerability of Station St. Sylvestre. Despite the cold and damp weather, the airmen were quite enthused about the exercise and carried out the search for the infiltration team with determination.

At 0200 hours the All Clear was sounded and the Security Alert was ended. All five members of the team were accounted for.

F/O EH Collins, SOGT, ADCHQ, arrived on an overnight visit to discuss any unit educational problems.

The CO convened a Board of Inquiry to investigate and report into the circumstances surrounding the injuries received by F/O Rotenburger, AS/FtrC, during his tour of Orderly Officer on 3 Sep 56. F/O NWT Ward is President.

W/C Snider, CO, and F/L Gamache Med/MO, Station Mont Apica arrived for a short informal visit. F/L Gamche visited the unit in connection with the erection of a ski tow at Station St. Sylvestre. Four crews of 425 Squadron St. Hubert arrived to carry out cross training with Operations. F/L V Wuoriner was in charge of the visitors. Thirteen candidates wrote the Cpls. Qualifying examinations. F/O RWR Stewart was presiding officer.

Two Flight Sergeants wrote their Qualifying examinations. F/O RWR Stewart was presiding officer.

F/O T Tracy, Area Social Welfare Officer arrived on a routine Welfare visit. The CO’s parade was cancelled due to a break in the water main early this morning.

Six officers, three airmen and one airwoman arrived from the Auxiliary Squadron Three Rivers, for weekend training.

New Construction.

1. Stage II Pool - to drill and Rec. Hall

No change since previous report awaiting reinforcing steel for foundations. Overall completion 2%. Estimated completion date Dec 56.

2. Extension to Combined Quarters

Foundation walls and floor slab poured. Rough plumbing and heating installed under the floor slab. Building now at a standstill awaiting structural steel. Overall completion 10%. Estimated Completion Date Jan 57.

3. ME Extension

Drilling and blasting of rock for foundation near completion. Information as to hoist installation due to required rock excavation is urgently required. Overall completion 2%. Estimated Completion Date Dec 56.

CGE representatives Mr. Evans and Mr. Calder delivered an overhauled 400 cycle exciter for the AN/CPS-6B EW from Toronto. They arrived at approximately 0400 hours, helped with the installation and departed approximately 1800 hours.

F/Ls CJ Gauthier, DN Shubaly and R Kirkby arrived by PMC at 1900 hours. These officers arrived to conduct an ECM briefing for operations and Telecom personnel.

F/Ls Gauthier, Shulaby and Kirkby conducted and ECM briefing in the Tower Conference Room.

Mr. RD Buchan, CE DCED Inspector from AFHQ, visited unit to carry out an inspection on new construction. Mr. G Hancin of CGE arrived for outside overhaul of communications equipment. Four workers arrived 8 Oct to assist him. Completed A for P 5/56 for erection of station highway signs.

Stand-down due to Thanksgiving Day.

F/L JD Joslin, STelO transferred to AFHQ VCAS effective 9 Oct 56. Exercise Chancelight I (Multiple target) 8 of 11 intercepts successful.

Mr. AE Pattimore of CARDE visited Communications and Radar in connection with Project Sprint.

Receipt of a new 28 passenger bus effective QTO 4761 (Western Flyer) from 6 RD.

A Variety Dance was held in Rec. Hall. The Station Orchestra was in attendance.

Completed A for P 19/55 for construction of a road at the Combined Mess (Officers Entrance) and a road and parking lot for the Grocery Store. The Consumable Audit Board was checked this date by F/O Pottier for all Non-Public Funds Consumable Inventories.

A team of CGE personnel under direction of Mr. DE Murray reported in to overhaul radar. Team consisted of: AI Todd, RJ Evans, H Sherman, M Morin, G Reddy, W Mortimer and D Calder.

CGE Peaking party consisting of Mr. Murray, Mr. Evans, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Morin and Mr. Ladd started work on the peaking at 0900 hours.

F/L D Bate, arrived from Telecom officers course Clinton, to assume duties of STelO.

The Officer’s Mess Dinner was attended by Honourable Hughes Lapointe, G/C Jardine, S/L Biddell, Father Kelly and Father Fortier. G/C Jardine gave an interesting talk on his own experiences in the Far East at the outbreak of the war. This was followed by a few words from the Honourable Hughes Lapointe. DND vehicles 397A10-B53 and 426A10-D54 which were declared to APDAL, were picked up by purchaser.

Six officers, nine Acs and two AWs reported in from 2450 Squadron Sherbrooke. S/Ls Levine and O’Boyle, CO’s of Reserve Squadrons arrived to attend a conference on Operational Training for Reserve Squadrons. The CO, COpsO, D/COpsO and CTrainO represented Station St. Sylvestre. Mr. K Stuart of CGE arrived to check on the progress of the CGE peaking crew. Mr. Simon joined the peaking crew for two days. Completed A for P 29/56 for the installation of an additional air conditioning unit in the Micro Wave Room.

Mr. K Stuart of CGE visited the transmitter and receiver sites to check the progress of the outside overhaul on the antenna farms. Completed the exterior painting of the 4 "H" Huts.

FS MacDonald and Cpl. Winsor (Supply) proceeded to 5 SD Moncton, on Depot’s familiarization tour. Very profitable trip. Main Radar annual overhaul. Operating on Back-up radar without decreasing operational state until main radar serviceable, 26 Oct 56.

DND vehicle 414A10-D53 which was declared APDAL was picked up by purchaser.

Mr. D West of RCA Victor Company arrived to carry out pre-maintenance survey of AN/TPS-502 AN/FPS-502 and 15J1D Trainer.

This unit was blessed with the arrival of our new code 56 Cadillac ambulance, which replaces the old hard riding code J22 Dodge Military Pattern 4x4 ambulance. On arrival at the unit, it was officially tested by our CO, CTSO and VMEO. To date 9VM personnel have been driver tested and instructed on safety hazards in the operation of this vehicle. Acceptance check of the transmitter and receiver site overhaul carried out by the STelO and Mr. Hancin. Peaking of AN/CPS-6B completed and equipment returned to service at 1910 hours EST. Mr. Ladd remained until 0900 hours 29 Oct to assist in the settling down process of the AN/CPS-6B. The front of the Combined Mess was landscaped with trees and shrubs purchases through NPF funds.

An SOAF inspection audit was conducted by F/L Struger SOAF Branch ADCHQ, on 27 Oct 56, for a period of three days. A Halloween Dance was held in Rec. Hall with Station Orchestra playing. Personnel were encouraged to attend in costume - and they were many and varied.

The unit basketball team played against Station Mont Apica and won 83-28.

Sgt. Quelch and Cpl. Goulet proceeded to 5 SD Moncton on Depot’s familiarization tour. These familiarization tours are proving very worthwhile from both the unit and the SD level. Not only does this unit gain an insight into the SD problems, but the SD can iron out multi problems for the unit.

Increased vigilance commensurate with world events.

P/O JAR Descoteaux, Reserve, arrived for continuous training of Fighter Control officer duties until 24 Dec 56. On completion of his training at St. Sylvestre, P/O Descoteaux will proceed to 1 OS London, Ontario to enlist in Regular Force.

Nine officers, one nursing sister and 14 airmen arrived from 2450 Squadron, Sherbrooke for weekend training. F/L Thompson, Protestant Padre, arrived for his semi-monthly visit.

Dr. F Hunt NRC, Mr. J McLeod, CGE, Mr. M Bradford, AFHQ/DRW and Mr. D Grundy AMCHQ arrived on TD for operational trials.

Mr. M Loomis, DCED, AFHQ, arrived to inspect new construction on the unit. S/Ls JD Richards and SJ Woodman of ADCHQ arrived with Dr. RS Rettie NRC, Mr. R Chapman, Mr. RF Blair, Mr. KL Irwin of CGE, Mr. Woodend and Mr. HS Patterson, both of ADC/SORO, to attend the operational trials in progress on unit. This completed the group which arrived on 4 Nov 56. Ambulance 59J22-A53 was replaced by Cadillac Ambulance 53J6-A52. 59J22-A53 was returned to Supply for shipment to 6RD Trenton. Completed A for P 13/56 for repair of 5 miles of Access Road from the village of St. Sylvestre to RCAF Station St. Sylvestre. Completed A for P 43/56 for installation of 2 HP 60 Cycle 220V Siren in PMQ’s Area. Mr. R Blair, Mr. JF McLeod, K Irwin arrived from CGE to carry out ECM trials on EW unit.

Personnel attending Operations trials departed and a group of 14 technicians from RCA under Mr. HW West arrived to carry out overhaul on Radar equipment. RCA Field technicians arrived to carry out peaking and overhaul of AN/TPS-502 and AN/FPS-502.

Chancelight II. Sector exercise. A/C Gilchrist arrived for Operation "Chancelight 3". The A/C stayed for debriefing on the operation and a briefing on station activities. Outline of longline facilities and limitations presented to the A/C.

A Remembrance Day ceremony was held in the Rec. Hall commencing at 1055 hours. The ceremony included a General Salute taken by the CO, Last Post, two minute silence, Reveille and General Salute. This ceremony was followed by Protestant and RC Church Parades. S/L Churchill was OC of the Parade. W/C Rodger, Command Protestant Padre conducted Protestant Services in the Station Theatre and Father Kelly RC Services in the RC Chapel.

F/L DI Williamson, ADCHQ reported in on a visit to the Telecom Section.

F/L Williamson departed the unit to ADCHQ.

Cpl. Mead and LAC Girard departed to 5 SD Moncton on familiarization tour. Profitable try.

F/L Thompson, Protestant Padre, reported in on TD for his semi-monthly visit. T33 VC474 under our surveillance disappeared, presumed crashed. A Search commenced in which our Search and Rescue team was called on to aid SAR from Trenton.

Six officers, eleven airmen and two airwomen arrived for weekend training with 2450 Squadron, Sherbrooke.

F/L Everard, ADCHQ Public Relations arrived on liaison visit with CadO regarding the press visit to view Auxiliary Squadron at work on 25 Nov 56.

An inoculation parade was held on 19 and 20 Nov with over 140 personnel receiving shots.

RCA Field party completed overhaul. Messrs. H MacGregor and G Carghill of CGE arrived on unit to carry out an inspection on telecom equipment.

Completed A for P 26/56 for procurement and installation of three circuit breakers in our primary line to pump houses 1, 2 and 3.

Completed A for P 82/55 for installation of 16 lamp posts at steps of various paths at this unit. Chancelight IX Sector exercise.

Auxiliary Squadron from Three Rivers for weekend training. A cash count inspection was conducted by F/L MacKenzie, F/O Veals and one FS from Station Bagotville.

2450 (Aux.) Squadron to assume full duties for 24 hours in Operations Building. This is the first time an auxiliary Squadron has taken over the operations fully since the inception of the AC&W Squadrons. Only one regular force controller was on duty. In honour of this occasion, the Press from Sherbrooke visited the unit to publicize the occasion.

The SSO, F/O Jules Dechene, proceeded to ADCHQ for the SSO’s conference. The conference is to last three to four days.

LACs Bosse and Jalbert went to 5 SD Moncton on familiarization tour.

Mr. Billy Morris Atwill, Canadian Arsenals arrived on TD to view the performance of the FPS-502. The 502 has been in operation for one year.

30 Nov 56

F/L Newman, F/Os Raniseth, McLean, Collins and Wood arrived from Lac St. Denis on TD while operations at Lac St. Denis were closed down. F/L Thompson Protestant Padre arrived by PMC for his semi-monthly visit.

Signed by:

(LP Dupuis) W/C
CO, RCAF Station St. Sylvestre