Daily Diary
2400 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit, Toronto, Ont.
1 June 1954 to 30 November 1954
During the month of June 1954 the regular training programme was carried out during the first three mid-week parade nights. On Sunday June 6th, No 2 Flight was on duty at RCAF Station Toronto. On the week-end of June 12 - 13 No 3 Flight was engaged in GCI exercises at #31 AC&W Sqn Edgar. A total of 13 successful intercepts was completed. Due to Saturday June 12th being Air Force Day, only a limited number of aircraft was available, as an Air Show was scheduled. The regular training season closed on June 23rd with a Squadron Pay Parade.
On Saturday July 3rd the Squadron assembled at No 33 AC&W Falconbridge for commencement of the summer camp training period. The first week of camp was spent in preparation for Exercise Checkpoint by the Phase II and III Controllers and the Fighter Control Operators. The Phase I Controllers were engaged in classroom instruction. The period from July 9th to 11th inclusive was a very active time for the Squadron. This was the period during which Exercise Checkpoint was held and the Squadron assisted the personnel of No 33 Sqn in all phases of the exercise. Due to a shortage of personnel it was felt desirable to lay on two twelve hour shifts for the duration of the exercise. During the week following the exercise a number of highly successful social events were held. Prior to the termination of the camp period on July 17th, Wing Commander Stroud thanked all the squadron personnel for their co-operation and assistance and stated that they were a definite asset during the exercise.
On Wednesday September 1st an organization meeting of section heads and crew chiefs was held to plan the operational and training programme for the period from September to December 1954. Regular squadron parades were resumed on September 8th. A general information lecture was given to all ranks and this was followed by a social evening. The three remaining mid-week parades during September was taken up with the regular training programme and lectures as laid on in the training orders.
On the weekend of September 25 - 26 No 1 Crew was engaged in GCI exercises at No 31 AC&W Sqn Edgar. A total of eight successful intercepts were completed. On Sunday October 3rd No 3 crew attended lectures and training films at RCAF Station Toronto.
The first portion of the regular mid-week parade held on October 6th, was taken up in a rehearsal for the Squadron Parade and Inspection scheduled for the following week. The latter part of the evening was taken up with the regular programme of training.
On Wednesday October 13th the Commanding Officer's Inspection and Parade was held, commemorating the fourth anniversary of the formation of the Squadron. The salute was taken by Group Captain GW Gooderham, AFC. A social evening followed. The remaining two mid-week parades of the month were taken up by the training programme as outlined in Training Orders.
On the week-end of October 23 - 24, No 3 Crew participated in GCI exercises at No 31 AC&W Sqn Edgar. Six successful exercise intercepts were completed. In two of these Vampire aircraft of No 400 Squadron were engaged in while Mustang aircraft from Centralia participated in the other four. Due to poor R/T contact it was not possible to use Harvard aircraft during these exercises. The weekend of October 30th - 31st was also taken up in GCI exercises at RCAF Edgar by No 1 Crew. On this occasion three successful exercise intercepts were completed.
At the regular mid-week parades for the first three weeks of November, the regular training programme was carried out in accordance with Training Orders. Regular training was also carried out on Sunday November 7th by crews 2 and 3 and on Sunday November 14th by crews 1 and 3.
The Squadron Officers attended a Mess Dinner on Friday November 5th. Group Captain Leigh of No 2 Group (Aux) was guest of honour. The evening was highly successful from every point of view.
The final mid-week parade of November was taken up by a No 14 Ops Wing Parade and Inspection.
On the weekend of November 20th - 21st, GCI exercises were carried out at No 31 AC&W Edgar by Crew No 2. Due to adverse weather conditions no successful practice intercepts were completed. The following weekend, November 27th-28th, similar exercises were carried out at the same location by Crew No 3. Again, due to poor weather, only two successful practice intercepts were completed. One section of Harvard aircraft from 411 Squadron simulated the bogey while one section of Vampire acted as the fighter aircraft.
(EM Cole) F/O,
for Commanding Officer
2400 Squadron