2400 AC&W Unit (Auxiliary)
TORONTO, ONT

National Archives of Canada

Appendix "C"

REPORT ON SUMMER CAMP TRAINING
2400 AC&W UNIT (RESERVE)

Introduction

The training of Controllers and Fighter Control Operators only will be considered in this report.

Lectures

All lectures were conducted in the morning. The Fighter Control Operators were given lectures on Basic Plotting, Telling and Recording by Sgt Patterson (Res). Lectures on Elementary Navigaition were conducted by F/O Grimshaw (Res). F/Os Cooper, Leaman and Stewart conducted lectures in Basic Radar Theory and Radar Equipment. Lectures on Meteorology were given by F/L Lasek (Regular Force).

The Controllers received lectures on Organization, Tactics and Techniques, Navigation, Meteorology, and Electronics. The lectures on Navigation and Electronics were conducted by F/O Grimshaw (Res) and F/O Lehman (Res) respectively, the remainder were given by F/L Lasek (Regular).

In all cases lectures given and material covered were governed by authorized syllabi.

The Ftr COps were tested at the end of each week by means of written exams. The results were considered satisfactory. One two-hour examination based on all subjects covered was written by the Controllers on Thursday of the second week. The average obained was 70%.

It is the opinion of all personnel concerned that this portion of the summer camp training was a success and of great value to the participating members of 2400 AC&WU (Res).

Operational Training

In general the number of operational exercises carried out was disappointing.

Interceptions

The breakdown, by days, of operational exercises carried out, is as follows:

Sat 23 Jun
NIL - Convoy number 56 arrived 1630 hrs.
Sun 24 Jun
NIL - Convoy number 63 arrived at 1500 hrs. Convoy number 56 set up at remote site.
Mon 25 Jun
Convoy number 63 set up adjacent to ADCC. Two interceptions was attempted by remote convoy but only one completed because a/c had to return to base.
Tues 26 Jun
Two interceptions attempted and completed
Wed & Thurs 27 & 28 Jun
No exercises. 400 Sqn a/c carried out exercises at Quebec.
Fri 29 Jun
400 Sqn a/c carried out exercise with army at Picton. One interception carried out enroute.
Sat 30 Jun
No interceptions - sports afternoon
Sun & Mon 1 & 2 Jul
No interceptions - Rain
Tues 3 Jul
Three interceptions attempted and two completed. Attack by 416 Sqn.
Wed 4 Jul
No interceptions - sports afternoon
Thurs 5 Jul
No interceptions - rain
Fri 6 Jul
Convoy #56 dismantled and packed
Sat 7 Jul
Convoy #56 departed for Toronto 0745 hrs.

During an operational period of 11 days (25 Jun to 5 Jul), eight interceptions were attempted and only six completed.

ADCC OPERATIONS

The ADCC did not become operational until Fri 29 Jun because the internal communication system was not completed until Thurs PM and because of plotting symbols were not delivered until that date. The manufacturers of the symbols had promised to deliver sufficient symbols by Fri 22 Jun.

There were not sufficient Fighter Control Operators to man all the positions in the ADCC and the two convoys but these were filled in by officer controllers and three Regular Force FCOs.

As indicated in para 8, operations were carried out on only two days during the period that the ADCC was fully operational. Only a little benefit was derived for this aspect of the summer camp training since the FCOs and Controllers had little time to put into practice what they had learned in lectures.

Observations

Insufficient time was allotted to the AC&WU for interceptions. The aircraft were not airborne until after 1345 and because of servicing problems had to be down by 1530 hrs. During that period, exercises other than interceptions were being carried out which limited the time available for interceptions.

Installation of the Communications system was started too late for completion prior to opening day of summer camp.

The R/T procedure of both the pilots and the Controllers was poor. R/T discipline on the part of the pilots could have been better. Lack of proper practice is the major contributing factor.

Recommendations

Recommendations for future summer camps and week-end exercises are as follows:

  1. For summer camp, sufficient a/c should be allocated soley for interceptions for at least one-half each day. For week-end exercises squadrons could complete most of their exercises such as armament, formation, etc on Saturdays so that most of Sunday could be devoted to intercept practice.

  2. That installation of equipment at summer camp sites be started earlier to permit completion prior to opening date.

  3. That Sqn pilots be given a lecture on R/T discipline and R/T procedures applicable to Ground Controlled Intercepts.

  4. That a standard order of procedure re alert status of aircraft be instituted at summer camp. Aircraft could thus be moved from "available" through "readiness" to "stand-by". A standard scramble procedure could be practiced to expediate scrambling of stand-by aircraft.

Conclusion

The fighter interceptor squadron and the Aircraft Control and Warning Unit are partners in the Air Defence team. Each is dependent upon the other for the successful defence of their area of responsibility in time of war. In preparation, combined operational exercises must be practiced in peacetime and each partner must have full share in the organization, planning, and execution of these exercises.

(J Lasek) F/L
OC 2400 Support