Historical Narrative
2451 AC&W Sqn (Aux)
The Officers of Phase II have been attending lectures in preparation for the writing of promotion examinations which are being written in January and February. The Officers of Phase I have been attending lectures in Phase I controllers course. In Phase II the Officers, in groups of five, are going to 781st AC&W USAF, at Fort Custer, Michigan for cross training. On December 11th, S/L JC Mencel accompanied the group of Officers, this was to be the last group until after the trade board. S/L Mencel had a conference with Major Peasley, who is Commanding Officer of the 781st AC&W, in regard to future training.
The contract for the renovation of the building on Erie St was awarded to the Granite Construction Company of Windsor.
On New Year's Eve a Cocktail Party was held prior to the dance at the HMCS Hunter. The Commanding Officer and Officers of 2451 AC&W attended New Year's Levee at HMCS Hunter, Windsor Armouries, and St Luke Road Barracks.
F/O A Shaw was appointed by the Commanding Officer as the representative of 2451 AC&W on the Garrison Ball Committee. The Garrison Ball is to be held on April 27th, 1957. It is sponsored jointly by the Officers of the Reserve Units in Windsor. This is the first time the Royal Canadian Air Force has officially taken part in the Ball.
A clothing parade was held on January 7th for Auxiliary Personnel. The first of our heavy equipment arrived on January 15th. A PPI was installed in our temporary quarters at the Recruiting Unit.
F/O Washington, RSO, was notified of his posting to the DEW Line effective April 1st, 1957.
F/L Timline from Centralia was down to discuss a visit by Auxiliary Personnel for trade advancement.
Three Officers returned from RCAF Station Foymount as qualified Phase II Controllers. S/L Sarty from Air Defence Command, visited the Squadron to discuss training methods and progress of this unit. In the latter part of the month G/C Richer, S/L Kempster, and F/L Malone from Air Defence Command arrived to discuss the plans of the building and equipment needed.
On February 2nd, 1957 the Commanding Officer and eighteen Officers were air-lifted to Royal Canadian Air Force Station, Foymount for the week-end on special duty. The first group of the year's RTTP ws enrolled on February 13th.
The promotion examinations being over, the officers of Phase II resumed their cross training at Fort Custer, Michigan. On February 18th five Officers went to Toronto for the High Altitude Indoctrination Course.
S/L Moir and F/L Malone from Air Defence Command arrived to discuss training and personnel problems.
At the beginning of March, two officers went to RCAF Station Foymount and returned as qualified Phase II Controllers. In the latter part of the month F/L Raven returned from Foymount having passed Phase III, also checked out as Duty Controller and Surveillance Officer. He is the first in 2451 AC&W to do so.
F/O MG Anthony, the new RSO reported in from Gander, Newfoundland on March 19th. On March 31st, a dinner and dance was held in honour of F/O Washington who has been posted to the DEW Line.
On April 14th a trade board was held for the Fighter Control Operators and supply personnel. The 15-J-I-D Trainer arrived and has been placed in operation. We are able to practice synthetic interceptions. Training is progressing very well.
On April 27th, the annual Windsor Garrison Ball was held on the Drill Deck of HMCS Hunter. The Commanding Officer and Officers of 2451 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron were honoured to have as their guests Air Vice Marshal LE Wray and Mrs Wray, S/L W Baynton, Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Duncan Commanding Officer of the United States Air Force Base, Selfridge Air Field, and Mrs Duncan, Major Peasley, Commanding Officer of 781st Aircraft Control and Warning, Fort Custer, Michigan, and Mrs Peasley.
This year's RTTP went to RCAF Station Hamilton for clothing parade, the airmen leaving on May 3rd, and the airwomen on May 4th.
Tentative plans for summer camp are as follows: Phase II going as a group for the first two weeks in July. Phase II going in small groups spread over the summer months.
The Contractor thinks the building on Erie Street will be ready sometime near the end of June.
On May 23rd, F/O J Braidford and F/O C Redecker were the guests at a dinner held by the 2652 Air Reserve Squadron, USAF, Detroit, Michigan, F/O Braidford spoke on the RCAF Reserve.
Results from Phase I were as follows:
11 passed, 1 failed, and 3 did not write.
For the qualifying examination:
13 passed, 4 partial passes, and 6 failed.
(JS Mencel) S/L
Commanding Officer,
2451 AC&W Squadron,
Windsor, Ontario