Historical Narrative
2455 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Victoria, BC.
1 Dec 1957 to 31 May 1958
Dec 57
For the second year in a row Christmas Dinner was provided for senior NCO's and below, on 16 Dec 57. Commissioned Officers acted as stewards. The full course turkey dinner was prepared by members of the Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs Myra Erickson President. A Squadron Dance followed the Dinner. This event received considerable attention from press, radio and television.
The Squadron attended Pay Parade on 9 Dec 57.
On Sunday afternoon, 20 Dec, the annual Childrens Party was held in the upstairs drill area under direction of F/O AP Gibb
The Annual New Years Eve Ball was held in the Officers Mess, 31 Dec, and was deemed a success by all who attended.
Effective 9 Dec, F/O JS English was TOS as Squadron Pay and Accounts Officer.
The Squadron stood down from 26 Dec to 30 Dec.
Jan 58
On New Years Day, "Open House" was held in the officers and Sgts Messes for the other Armed Forces in the area and for civilian friends of the Airforce. Reciprocal visits were made by members of these two messes, as well as to a temporary "Government House" in the Bay Street Armouries, and to the City Hall.
New Years Day Promotion List included one Flying Officer of this Unit promoted to Flight Lieutenant, namely, MB McLean (AS/FtrC).
Effective 22 Jan, Sgt DP Jefferson was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and granted a commission in the Supply List Supply Branch.
Feb 58
On 1 Feb, the Squadron Air Force Police section became operational under direction of the Security Officer.
Effective 3 Feb MJW Penn, was TOS in the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the Medical List of the SMO Branch replacing F/L GJ McKenzie Med/MO who transferred to Supplementary Reserve effective 15 Nov 57.
Mar 58
During March the monthly Sports Parades that had been held at HMCS Naden for the past few years were discontinued until further notice due to the Squadron's inability to meet new dress regulations in the gymnasium.
On 14 - 16 Mar inclusive four officers and six other ranks visited Station Comox for training purposes.
Effective 17 Mar F/O JA Scrimger was TOS in the Tech List Tel Branch.
On 24 Mar four members of the Squadron appeared on the local Television Station CHEK-TV on the programme "Youth Speaks Out". The four were AW1 Carole Reid, AC1 Chris Searle, AW1 Florence Thompson, and AC1 Walter Creed.
Apr 58
Effective 1 Apr the following promotions were granted in the Unit - Sgt JM Sotkowy (FtrCopSupr 3) to Flight Sergeant, LAW PG Little (FtrCop 3) and LAC JE Crozier (RdrTechG 3) to Corporals.
Also on 1 Apr F/O PJ O'Neill (AS/Ftrc) 5 Air Division HQ was TOS this unit as Regular Support Officer vice F/L LEH McLachlan transferred to Station St Sylvestre.
Cpl GW Bowden (FtrCOp 3) 51 Sqn Comox was TOS support staff vice Cpl CWF Welsman (FtrCOp 3) transferred to Stn Lac St Denis.
The Sqn attended Pay Parade on 10 Apr 58.
On 13 Apr S/L RD Higgins CO and F/L SG Eales CAdO proceeded to Station Sea Island for one day special duty.
The following Officers wrote and passed exams for Phase II Fighter Controllers course on 16 Apr - F/O AP Gibb, F/L GT Gibson, F/O P Hunt, F/L J Jupp, F/O WG O'Brian and F/O JH Olver
During April the first issue of the Squadron Newspaper "SCRAMBLE" was issued and distributed both within unit and to various commands of the Air Force across Canada.
Twenty-five RTTP personnel were taken on strength of the Squadron effective 1 Apr 58.
May 58
FS JM Sotkowy was appointed Station Warrant Officer, vice FS Williamson, effective 1 May.
An Identification Card Parade for 49 members of the Unit was held throughout the day on Sunday 18 May.
Starting on 2 May, the Squadron commenced a series of special drill practices at Gordon Head Camp in preparation for the Centennial functions scheduled for the summer.
The Squadron and Band participated with Nanaimo Centennial Parade on 17 May and in the Victoria Day Parade in the Capital City on 19 May. Many favourable comments were forthcoming.
On 11 May, S/L Higgins and F/L Jupp, plus 24 NCOs and other ranks, proceeded to 19 Wing HQ to participate in Handing Over Parade as G/C EA Alexander handed over command of 19 Wing to G/C RB Barker DFC.
Effective 26 May the Squadron went into Summer Dress.
During May, five officers proceeded to Station Comox for training purposes.
Cpl DB Gibson, Airforce Police, was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, which was presented to him by S/L RD Higgins on Parade at Gordon Head Camp 2 May.