2403 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary)
Calgary, Alta.

National Archives of Canada


Narrative Report of
2403 AC&WU Squadron (Aux)
1 June 1957 to 30 November 1957

10 Jun 57

F/O D MacKenzie ASFtrC of this unit was transferred to 2442 AC&W Squadron Sea Island on continuous duty.

20 Jun 57

Squadron party for FS RH Hunt who had to leave this squadron due to his civilian employment taking him to work on the DEW line. He was presented with an engraved silver mug as a token of appreciation for past performances.

24 Jun 57

F/L FJ Marsh and F/L RG Ings proceeded to RCAF Station Comox to arrange summer training facilities for this squadron.

27 Jun 57

Results of the Trade Board held on the 14 Apr 57 were announced by the CO. In the Fighter COp trade, there were 6 candidates who were successful in Group III, 1 in Group II and 4 in Group I. Also there were 2 successful candidates in Rdr PC Group II.

3 Jul 57

Staff visit by F/L AM Einarson from ADC for the purpose of discussing technical problems on this unit.

4 Jul 57

Staff visit from W/C RJ Lawlor for pre-camp liaison visit.

6 Jul 57

A total of 8 personnel from 2403 AC&W Sqn (Aux) travelled by air to RCAF Station Cold Lake for the purpose of contact training.

13 Jul 57

Visit of F/L G Kitching from 5 Air Divison for controller evaluation, at which time three controllers successfully passed their Phase II Examination.

20 Jul 57

A total of 30 personnel from 2403 AC&W Sqn (Aux) travelled by rail, bus, PMC and boat to RCAF Station Comox for the purpose of 15 days continual operational training. The total of 30 was made up of 15 officers and 15 other ranks.

6 Sep 57

Staff visit of W/C AG Lawrence, S/L RH Pook and S/L GJ Moir from ADCHQ for the purose of discussing local training problems.

15 Sep 57

First parade after summer camp.

3 Oct 57

AOC visit and annual inspection. A/C AD Ross was accompanied by Capt GC Chestnutt USAF exchange officer and F/O GE Waugh Air P.

4 Oct 57

Squadron officers mess dinner was held in the officers mess at RCAF Station Calgary for the AOC. This affair was attended by 20 officers of this squadron.

6 Oct 57

Liaison visit by personnel of AFHQ, ADCHQ, TCHQ, and ADC to discuss personnel problems. The members of this visitation were S/L AL Jewitt, S/L JE Hermanson and F/L DW McNichol.

10 Oct 57

Annual Intelligence briefing attended by security cleared officers of this unit. The results of examinations on Phase II of local Fighter Controllers course were announced. There were 5 passes.

13 Oct 57

Squadron Stand Down.

20 Oct 57

Security inspection by F/L SL Taylor of Pers/Sec of 5 Air Division. A lecture of security was given to all personnel of this squadron.

23 Oct 57

Results of Fighter Controllers Phase III were announced. Three officers successfully completed the course.

7 Nov 57

Liaison visit by W/C AG Lawrence and S/L RH Pook of ADC. G/C Trites gave a talk on the present day role of NATO forces.

10 Nov 57

Squadron Stand Down.

14 Nov 57

Promotion party for all squadron members was held after regular parade hours. This affair was well attended, at which time wedding gifts from the squadron were presented to two members.

17 Nov 57

A/S/L FE Clarke was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration by G/C WA Mostyn-Brown. Proficiency prizes were given to AW1 O Wohlgemuth and AC2 JD Hodges by the Commanding Officer.

5 Dec 57

The past six months has seen a concentrated effort on the part of the COpsO and his training staff to bring ASFtrC's and FtrCOps to a higher degree of training. During this period, five of our Controllers successfully completed Phase II of their training, three of whom went on to complete their Phase III at summer camp. Six Fighter Control Operators passed their Group III trade board, and four of these successful candidates were promoted to the rank of corporal. In general, this unit has endeavored during the past six months to produce highly trained personnel as quickly as possible.

The permission granted by 5 Air Divison for this squadron to liaison directly with Station Cold Lake for weekend training has proved most satisfactory. The practical training and experience gained by our ASFtrCs and FtrCOps on these weekend exercises has been most encouraging, and will prove invaluable in this units concentrated effort to bring the squadron as a whole to a higher degree of proficiency.

The strength of 2403 AC&W Sqn (Aux) as at 30 Nov 57 is as follows:

REGULAR OFFICERS (Support)1
REGULAR AIRMEN (Support)4
REGULAR AIRWOMEN (Special Duty)1
AUXILIARY OFFICERS 32
AUXILIARY AIRMEN40
AUXILIARY AIRWOMEN21
TOTAL99

(FE Clarke) S/L,
CO 2403 AC&WU (Aux) RCAF,
Calgary, Alta.