Historical Narrative
2402 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Winnipeg, Manitoba
1 December 1958 to 31 May 1959
Dec 58 - Jan 59
During these months normal training operations were carried on at the unit and at the 916th ACW UASF at Milner Ridge, Manitoba. Training at the latter consisted of weekend training and included live intercept practice, working with T-33 aircraft from stations Gimli, Portage La Prairie, and MacDonald. While this provided valuable experience for officers, further operational training for all ranks was obtained through the use of the Systems Training Program equipment available at the unit. On the average weekend at least two complete exercises were run with our officers and airmen filling operational positions. The co-operation of the USAF personnel in assisting in the setting up of the exercise and advising our personnel was much appreciated.
At the squadron's quarters in Winnipeg normal training was carried on with the facilities available. Lectures for all ranks on parade nights, scope and intercept practice on the 15-JID and synthetic operations in our operations room on Sunday mornings and afternoons contributed to the knowledge and experience of all personnel.
During the latter part of January and early February a good number of the Unit's officers and airmen wrote qualifying and trade advancement examinations at Station Winnipeg.
Feb - Mar 59
Training as outlined above continued at the Unit's premises and at the 916th ACW Sqn, with officers and airmen leaving for the latter every Friday evening and return Saturday evening. In addition personnel who were able to, often went to the 916th Sqn on Saturday afternoon for STP exercises on Saturday evening and Sundays.
6 - 7 Feb 59
F/L OH Hack, PersEdu, F/L AM Pround, AS/FtrC and F/O CH Stevens Tech AE, all from SOGT staff at ADCHQ visited 2402 Sqn to discuss ground training problems with squadron personnel.
17 - 18 Feb 59
S/L Levesque, reserve co-ordinator from ADCHQ, visited the squadron for discussions and also visited the 916th Sqn at Milner Ridge to inspect the training carried on there.
5 - 6 Mar 59
F/O CE Taylor, AS/FtrC, visited the squadron to discuss training requirements. F/O Taylor was from Station Senneterre where the summer camp training of this Unit is carried out, and which is our parent heavy site.
7 - 21 Mar 59
F/O SC Johanson, AS/FtrC, of this Unit went to Station Senneterre for camp training and check out for Phase III standing.
27 Mar - 4 Apr 59
F/O JA Benoit, AS/FtrC, travelled to Stn Senneterre for camp training and operational experience while F/O JW Bradley, AS/FtrC, went to Station Falconbridge.
The above officers were the first of the current year to attend summer camp, but unfortunately, for accommodation reasons, the squadron was advised that not more than two officers would be able to attend summer camp at any one time and it appeared unlikely that any airmen would be likely to be accommodated.
Apr 59
Normal training as outlined above was continued but this month was made a special one by the visit of the AOC, ADC, A/V/M WR MacBrien, accompanied by his Executive Assistant S/L LJ Lowes, on April 20 to inspect the training facilities and meet the squadron personnel.
A/V/M MacBrien arrived at the Unit at 1930 hrs and inspected the facilities until 2030 hrs, after which a reception was held at the Officers' Mess,17 Wing HQ. The A/V/M expressed satisfaction with the Unit and its training program.
7 Apr 59
S/L Pook, ADC, visited the Unit to discuss training.
9 Apr 59
S/L Sarty, ADC,visited the Squadron for conferences with senior personnel.
1 - 14 Apr 59
F/O G Finkle, AS/FtrC, travelled to Stn Senneterre for summer camp training.
18 - 26 Apr 59
F/O GH Lowry, AS/FtrC, went to Stn Senneterre for summer camp.
3 - 12 Apr 59
F/L JA Hardy, Pers/Adm, went to Stn Senneterre for Summer Camp training.
23 Apr 59
The Squadron participated with 17 Wing in ceremony for the handing-over of 17 Wing (Aux) from G/C HN Scott to G/C Varnam. A practice parade for this was held April 21.
24 - 25 Apr 59
Squadron personnel participated in a country wide Civil Defence exercise, and were highly commended by Civil Defence authorities for this work.
May 59
Normal training as indicated above was carried on, and in addition, a series of lectures on Tuesday evenings by regular Force instructors from the AIS at Stn Winnipeg was begun. The lectures dealt with the intercept and related problems of the aircrew and proved very instructive and enlightening for this Unit's controllers.
17 - 24 May 59
F/O EJ Bass, AS/FtrC, went to Stn Senneterre for Camp training.
23 May- 7 Jun 59
F/L JD Campbell and F/O KG Britton, AS/FtrC travelled to Stn Senneterre for camp training.
It should be noted that transportation to summer camp is provided by aircraft of 402(T) Sqn (Aux), thus providing navigational experience, for their personnel.
At the end of the month it was learned that our Commanding Officer for the past three years, S/L BT Macfie, was retired as his term of office and extension expired, and that his place was to be taken by F/L JD MacGillivrary, who was promoted to the rank of S/L. S/L Macfie's term expired May 31, with S/L MacGillivray taking over on June 1.
(JD MacGillivray) A/S/L
CO 2402 AC&WS (Aux) Winnipeg, Man