FILE: 21 (2400 AC&WU)
1107 Avenue Rd
Toronto, Ont
22 Jan 51
AOC TC
Trenton, Ont
Quarterly Report - 2400 AC&W Unit (Reserve)
INDEX
(a)This report is an attempt to bring into focus the many problems arising out of the formation of 2400 AC&W Unit (Res). The solution of problems on the spot together with recommendations thereon.
The initial organization was held on September 8th 1950 (See Appendix "A" for complete report). Following this meeting arrangements were made to bring on strength S/L Rutland, F/L Cooper, F/O Jowett, Sgt Patterson and fourteen airmen from 400 Squadron (F) Reserve, as the nucleus of this unit. All these men are wholly or partially trained.
A policy of rigid selection of all ranks was adopted and interviewing started to obtain qualified instructors in all trades. This has now been done.
Liaison has been established with RCAF Stn Toronto for temporary accommodation pending completion of Scarboro. Co-operation from the Comanding Officer and staff of Station Toronto is and has been beyond reproach in all matters.
Liaison established with AC&W Units at Hamilton and London
Liaison established with AA set-up in Toronto area; with Navy; with Civil Defence authorities.
Strong contracts established with local radio stations, daily and weekly press. Contacts made throughout radio, telephone and electronics industries in the area.
Complete program for recruiting and training now laid down and awaiting arrival of necessary training aids promised from Training Command.
To date this unit has been without the services of a regular force officer. It has been impossible to carry through efficiently the preparation of documents on all ranks in order to bring them on strength. Station Toronto and the Recruiting Unit due to lack of man power and not desire, have been unable to assist to any extent.
F/L Lasek has now been posted in however he leaves almost immediately for a controllers course and will be lost to us for another ten weeks.
It is an absolute must that an officer be given us to work full time, now that intense recruiting is under way.
It is recommended that F/L JE Garrett, be brought on strength immediately and while he is awaiting posting to a controllers course he be employed full time on recruiting on behalf of 2400 AC&WU (Res).
Without immediate support of this nature recruiting will bog down in paper work. We have the personnel to bring on strength, we must have the tools to do it with.
Meetings between Officers and senior NCOs of this unit and Officers from TCHQ have been held to discuss accommodation, training aids, training syllabi and scales of issue. We are awaiting the action agreed upon.
It was agreed that no personnel would be brought into 2400 AC&W Unit irrespective of rank until:
The adherence to these standards are reflected in calibre of recruits to date. (See recruiting)
Construction is going on at Scarboro. It is anticipated that initial construction will be completed about 5 Jan 51.
CGE Ltd are not vacating their proportion of NRC building until 30 Apr 51. However as it now appears that the synthetic trainer will not be available until that date, instead of January as promised, this simply means a revision of proposed training.
Recruiting is proceeding according to plans laid down (see section 1), fifty two trained and partially trained men are on strength or in the process of coming on strength (see Appendix "B"). With this nucleus we are now ready to train four nights per week and each weekend.
The training plan (under present establishment) calls for the formation of a minimum of four teams. Each team to include the requried number in each trade from Controllers through to Drivers.
In this manner we will have completely trained units for round-the-clock operations. Each unit completely integrated and ready to take the field.
Thus our recruiting will follow a pattern so many for each trade for each training night - ie 50 to 60 personnel to train, indoctrination lectures and lab work on Tuesday night - another group on Wed - Thursday - Friday - with field work on Sundays.
To make the recruiting programme a success and there is no dirth of prospective recruits, rather the opposite, we must have full time assistance so that documentation is not held up as in the past. Without this help we cannot accomplish our aim of full strength by 28 Feb 51. Eighty percent operational by 15 Mar 51.
It is felt that a Reserve Officer from 2400 AC&WU shold be immediately taken of a full time basis to assist in recruiting particularly in the High Schools. F/L J Garrett, Controller, is available for this duty. The time to start this recruiting is now. It would mean approximately three months employment.
Due to delays completely beyond the scope and control of this unit, accommodations are not as advanced as had been anticipated. Work is now in progress. Full report will be made at 30 Jan 51. Station Toronto is doing everything possible to meet our needs. Mr B Herring is giving us magnificient co-operation in his endeavours to push our construction through.
Supplies are being received but not in accord with promises made as to dates. It is imperative that supplies of all types be received on schedule if this unit is to be sufficiently trained and operating to participate in advanced training in the summer of 51. (See Appendix "C").
The recruiting of personnel of all ranks poses no serious problem to this unit. However it would be folly to recruit untrained persons until the training set-up is physically in a condition to absorb them.
Personnel so far recruited have been chosen to perform a specific function in their trade. Practically all are qualified to instruct. (See paras 2 & 6).
Training program for instructors has been carried out on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons under S/L Rutland, F/L Cooper, F/O Haid, FS Graham (Regular) and Sgt Patterson. Training has been of a refresher and familiarization nature both in Technical and Operational procedure.
Practical work on moving and reseting consoles of CHL/GCI AMES 11 transmitters and receivers have been carried out. Regular practice periods of assembling, dismantling and packing AMES Convoy are carried out twice monthly.
All operational types are working on building, mapping and gridding main tables and DF tables as part of training scheme. In this way the entire set-up can be completed in a relatively short time and all will have a thorough working knowledge of it. (See appendix "D" re instructions).
The reports of individuals taking part are attached as Appendix "E". These give a more graphic portrayal of the efficiency and enthusiasm of this unit than is possible in any manner.
As CO the writer is convinced that while the operation "Round-Up" was scrubbed from a flying angle, the results achieved by the members of 2400 AC&WU, in the field, completely vindicated the training program to be followed namely:
Immediate field training and practice of the moving and setting-up of AMES in the field even though personnel may have little or no concept of the actual operating of the unit. We believe that every man must be ready to move on a moments notice and erect the equipment - practice not lectures make this possible.
This operation could not have been a success from the 2400 AC&WU standpoint had it not been for the magnificient leadership shown by FS Graham (PF) and the manner in which all members of his stafff performed their duties.
In regard to report from ADG (file 4-8-1 1AC&WU). On Operation "Round-Up".
PARA 2
PARA 3 OPP were to provide escort. In some manner they scheduled this for 30 Nov 50 instead of Dec 50.
PARA 5 Lack of proper equipment caused this. Modifications will take care of future exercises. Controller has never worked this way with Vamps - we have - it is difficult but can be done.
The attitude and spirit displayed by F/O Harris was greatly appreciated by all reserve personnel, he is to be greatly complimented on his effort. When Operation "Round-Up" is re-set, it is requested that F/O Harris be assigned to this unit for the operation.
(SA Rutland) S/L
CO 2400 AC&W Unit (Res)