Edgar, ON

1. General

It is proposed to outline the activities of 31 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron during the above period under main subject headings.

2. Organization

During the period under review much additional progress was made in bringing the unit up to its maximum peak of efficiency. Operationally, the unit came into being on 15 Jun 53 and since that time has maintained its technical and operational facilities at a high level. The additional commitment of having to accept Auxiliary personnel for two week’s summer training and week-end training has not adversely affected the operational or administrative efficiency to any appreciable degree.

On 15 Jun 53, 3 ADCC (formerly at Scarborough, Ontario) was relocated to this station. Station services and administrative services are, generally speaking, handled by 31 AC&W Squadron personnel. There has been nothing but the very best cooperation between 31 AC&W Squadron and 3 ADCC and there is every reason to believe that this mutual good feeling will be continued.

Accommodation is still one of the most pressing problems. Until it is partially solved by the erection of additional living quarters for single personnel we cannot expect anything but dissatisfaction from single airmen and airwomen who are forced to live in very cramped living quarters. The subject of accommodation generally will be discussed in more detail later in this report.

3. Personnel

The following executive appointments were made as shown below:

Officers or Civilians of Officer status visiting this station during the period of this report were as listed below:

A course on the FPS 3 and its maintenance ended on 30 Jun. One Officer, 14 Senior NCO’s, 7 Cpls. And 5 aircraftmen attended this course. Originally, the plan had been to use 31 AC&W Squadron as a training unit for teaching FPS-3 theory and maintenance for a large number of personnel, but due to accommodation difficulties the locale for this course was shifted to 34 AC&W Squadron Senneterre PQ.

4. Security

Despite difficulties which must be expected when an Air Force unit has inadequate fencing around its perimeter or none (as is the case with 31 AC&W Squadron), a very acceptable standard of security has been maintained.

A strict control is kept over the admission of visitors to the unit, either for business or pleasure purposes. Those arriving for business purposes are not allowed to proceed beyond the guard house gate unless advance notification has been received by the guard on duty that their admission is in order. Those of whom prior notification has not been received are screened by the Security Officer. Canvassing of single or married personnel is strictly prohibited. Those visitors who ask for admission to the station as friends of Service personnel must be sponsored in. The sponsorer is held completely liable for the security, behaviour and morals of his/her guests. On no occasion is the station thrown open to the general public (including Air Force Day).

Automobiles are not permitted on the station area unless they have PL & PD insurance coverage. All automobiles coming in this category (which are the property of Service personnel or civilian employees) are licensed. Periodically, in addition, all automobiles so licensed must produce proof that their brakes and rear and front light are working satisfactorily.

Speeding is strictly controlled on the station. Stop signs are also set up throughout the domestic and PMQ sites. Persistent speeding offenders are forced to remove their automobiles from the station area for an indefinite period.

Patrols of the station are carried out jointly during non-duty hours by Security Police and Fire Picquet. The fire picquet must supplement these patrols due to an acute shortage of security personnel, which is being gradually overcome.

Security in the Operations building is strictly enforced. Only those on an "approved" list are permitted to enter the building. Embarrassment is, however, being constantly caused by the arrival of personnel on temporary duty whose duties require their admission to the Operations building, but on whom a security category has not been received. This has been taken up time and again with ADCHQ and it is anticipated that a system will soon be in operation which will eliminate this unsatisfactory situation.

This unit is most fortunate in having a very competent staff of Security Policemen/Policewomen and Commissionaires, which makes up, somewhat, for the deficiencies in the number of Security personnel.

Every effort is being put forth to educate personnel particularly those employed in the Operations building, not to talk about their work or what they see therein unless required to do so in the course of their Service duty. There have been no known breaches of security, in this respect so this educational programme is, apparently, worthwhile.

5. Discipline

There has been an increase in the number of charges preferred against Service personnel. This can possibly be attributed to an increase in the strength of airmen and airwomen and also to the dissatisfaction apparent since shift work came into being.

The following is a summary of disciplinary cases heard and disposed of during the period of this report:

6. Supply

The general supply situation is quite good, with some shortages of new style uniforms still apparent.

The supply section is operating in an efficient and business-like manner.

The annual check of the Station Barrack Account indicated that this inventory was in first-class condition. No shortages were revealed.

7. Accommodation

The provision of living accommodation for single personnel is still one of the most acute problems with which this unit is faced. To meet situations arising from time to time, it has been necessary to shift personnel from building to building and to crowd in single personnel in barrack rooms to such an extent that living conditions from a domestic and medical point of view are almost intolerable. Until more single quarters are erected (which are planned for in 1955), we must put up with this situation. There are no single quarters for single male officers or Senior NCO’s. Wings of barrack blocks set aside for this purpose have had to be utilized to accommodate airwomen. Accommodation for female officers has been provided only by taking over a PMQ. This overcrowding of available living space is causing a great deal of concern to those in authority, as the dissatisfaction over these living conditions is most apparent.

To accommodate Auxiliary personnel attending summer camp, it was necessary to spend a sum of $2,500.00 to renovate the living accommodation formerly used by Piggott’s Construction Company for its workmen. In addition, the hobby shop, bowling alley and a room in the Station School were used for accommodation of Auxiliary personnel. Due to an outbreak of bed-bugs in the construction camp huts, it was temporarily necessary to move out all Auxiliary personnel billeted there while the quarters were fumigated. Although the accommodation of Auxiliary personnel was accomplished, the quarters provided were sub-standard and certainly did not leave too good an impression in the minds of these personnel. It will not be possible to use the same facilities next summer, as the space utilized in the 1953 summer camp will not likely be available.

The recreational building was handed over to the RCAF on 1 Jun 53. Some minor defects still existed but these have now been corrected. The Snack bar, grocery store and barber shop concessions were let effective 4 Jun 53. To date, the facilities provided by these three services plus the Sports facilities have proven to be a boon to both single and married personnel residing on the station. A library has been set-up at one end of the Sport Stores. The hobby shop, bowling alley and rifle range and archery range are not in use, as yet, due to the lack of equipment with which to operate them and, in the case of the bowling alley, will not be used as such until a decision is reached as to whether the alleys will be put in at Government expense. Station Fund is in no position to finance this project and higher authority has been so informed of this fact. The bowling alley is at present being used as temporary accommodation for Auxiliary personnel on weekend training.

The 1954-55 estimates contain plans to build an additional 25 PMQ’s which houses will be a welcome addition to the already existing 65 PMQ’s. These additional houses will be adequate to take care of those married personnel who are on the waiting list.

The accommodation of the ME Section, Fire Hall, Administration HQ and Guard House are very inadequate, but it is understood that the 1954-55 estimates contain plans to correct these inadequacies. Temporary accommodation for SHQ staff is located in the lower wing of Barrack Block #2. A Piggot Construction Company shack which was handed over to the RCAF and which has been renovated, serves as a temporary guard house.

The Combines Mess accommodation is quite adequate, but it has been necessary to make certain alterations to the bars to make them more attractive and practical from a working point of view. In the Airmen’s Wet Canteen, shelving on roller bearings has been constructed, to permit a better display of goods for sale. The roller bearings permit the shelving to be moved back against the wall when stocktaking is being carried out. The Central Warehouse has been partitioned off into an office and storage room. This has proved to be a much more satisfactory arrangement. The storage of emergency rations has presented somewhat of a problem but a room has now been found and shelving erected in it, for this purpose. The Corporals Mess (formerly used as a TV room) has had its bar renovated, as the space provided for a bar when the building was constructed was found to be unsuitable. The Sergeants Bar and Officer’s Bar have been modernized and made much more practical and attractive. The general fault in all bars (which is being corrected in the 1954-55 estimates) is the lack of proper washing facilities. Three sinks are being provided in each bar.

8. Medical and Dental Services

Generally, the medical and dental services provided to RCAF personnel on this station are satisfactory.

Personnel are only admitted to the station sick bay for minor sicknesses. If operations or specialist treatment are required, they are referred to Sunnybrook Military Hospital.

Dental treatment is given by RCDC officer who spends one month in every three at this station. During the period the RCDC officer is away from the station, dental treatment is provided by the RCDC detachment at Camp Borden.

The following is a summary of sick parades and admissions during the period 1 Jun 53 to 30 Nov 53:

9. Chaplain Services

From 1 Jun 53 to 12 Sep 53, church services for Roman Catholics and Protestants were held in the station theatre. Effective 13 Sep 53, the Protestant services were moved back to the Station school auditorium, where they were held prior to the opening of the Recreation Building, but the Roman Catholic Church services continued in the Station Theatre. This arrangement has proven to be quite satisfactory and will carry on until such time as regular Chapels are provided for both denominations.

Church attendance is only satisfactory. The provision of proper chapels may improve this somewhat, although the apathy shown by the younger generations towards church is appalling not only on this station but throughout the RCAF generally. A renaissance is necessary to re-create interest in church activities.

The church committees are quite active, but low attendance at services is most discouraging to them.

10. Accounting Services

The Accounting Services provided are a high standard, as evidenced by the lack of excessive comments by the SOAF on his inspections.

Staff shortages due to release of airwomen employed in the Accounts Section has caused considerable overtime work by the remaining staff, but this situation is being gradually rectified.

11. Messing

A good standard of messing is being maintained, although this is due more to the quality of the civilian cooks on strength than the Service cooks whose trade abilities leave much to be desired, with one exception.

The NCO i/c/ Messing has now been transferred. Until such time as his replacement arrives, the kitchen is being efficiently run by the one remaining Service cook whose trade ability is above average.

12. Messes and Institutes

The messes and institutes are being operated in a reasonably efficient manner by the committees responsible for their performance.

The lack of sufficient bar stewards is the chief contributing factor to the minor troubles encountered in the bars. Of the three stewards on strength to operate 4 messes and the Central Warehouse, only one has been available for active duty from approximately 1 Oct to 30 Nov. One steward was on misemployment while under investigation of mal-practices in the Central Warehouse and one was misemployed for the above period while awaiting the results of an inefficiency board. Misemployment of other tradesmen has been necessary to keep the bars in full operation, inasmuch as AFHQ cancelled the established positions of 4 lounge cleaners who could have been employed part-time in the various bars. A solution to this unsatisfactory state of affairs is necessary if the efficiency of the messes is to be maintained. The situation re bar stewards at AC&W Squadrons such as this is now under review at AFHQ.

The Corporals Mess was formed on this station effective 25 Oct 53.

Rules for the management of all messes have been published and are being incorporated in Station Standing Orders.

13. Entertainment and Welfare

Some of the station entertainment held during the period of this report is listed below:

Station bingos were not held during the summer months but recommenced in October with an average of two per month. Bingos have never proven to be a great success on the Station due to so many activities going on in nearby towns, but they offer enjoyment to quite a large number of people.

A collapsible stage has been erected in the Recreational Building for use of orchestras playing at station dances and for other entertainment held in the Sports Centre.

Movies have been held at the rate of three per week in the Station Theatre. The presence of so many television sets in both PMQ’s and each of the four messes has reduced the interest in movies, with the result that only two movies per week will be screened as from 1 Jan 54.

During the summer months, one men’s softball team and two ladies’ softball teams were entered in the local leagues. The men’s team and the second ladies’ team reached the playoffs. The men’s team was finally eliminated, but the second ladies’ team won the league championship. A great deal of interest was aroused in all members of the station in this sport. Due to the fact that the grass on the station ball diamond was not sufficiently grown in to use from the start of the softball season , a field adjacent to the station was rented and used until the latter part of the softball season.

Swimming runs were laid on daily to Oro Memorial Beach during the swimming season. These runs were well attended.

A men’s basketball team has been entered in the local league and although it has not won any games since its formation, it is coming along fine and should soon come out with a victory.

A men’s hockey team has been formed and is playing in the Orillia league. This team is doing very well.

Bowling teams have been entered in the Barrie and Orillia bowling leagues.

The station library, which has now been located in the Sports Centre is a welcome addition to our recreational programme.

A photographic club is being formed on the station in the near future.

The station hockey rink was completed by the officers of the station, by voluntary labour and should prove a decided asset, providing that there is sufficiently cold weather to permit making of ice.

The station newspaper, which had to be discontinued during the summer months, when operations were in full swing, has now resumed publication with the first issue being printed in October.

A ski run (off the station) is being looked into, as the heavy snowfall is ideal for participation in this sport.

The above summary of activities or projected activities does not cover individual mess entertainments of which there has been considerable. It is felt that every effort is being put forth to ensure that all personnel have adequate recreation in their off duty hours, to the extent of the facilities available.

14. Mobile Equipment

The ME Section is being run in a very efficient manner. Commitments are met without too much difficulty.

The AOC on his annual inspection 1 Oct 53, had occasion to compliment the acting NCO i/c on the initiative displayed in keeping the vehicles in such excellent condition, not only from a mechanical view point, but also with respect to the expert paint jobs put on them by tradesmen in the section.

A fire truck was re-assigned from Camp Borden on 7 Oct.

One ME accident occurred during this period.

15. Communications and Radar

The AN/FPS-3C radar equipment was officially placed on a 24-hour operational basis effective 15 Jun, following two weeks of successful continuous operation.

The Comm Centre and PBX were placed on 24-hour operations effective 15 Jun. Numerous telephone lines were installed linking 31 AC&W Squadron with military and civil establishments throughout Eastern Canada and the North-Eastern parts of the USA.

The APX-6 (IFF) installation project was completed and became operationally available on 13 Jul.

Spares shortage on radar equipment caused shut-down of approximately one day during the month of August.

Canadian General Electric contractors commenced installation of the H/F back-up equipment in early September.

Flight trials and acceptance tests made on the ISG-98 height-finder equipment 21-26 Sep.

The VHF antenna modification project was over 50% completed as at 30 Nov.

16. Construction Engineering

The progress made by the CE Section is improving the appearance and general maintenance facilities on the station has been very encouraging.

The new cost accounting system set-up, although considered to be quite cumbersome, is working fairly well, now that those responsible for its operations are familiar with the procedures to be followed.

There is still considerable lag in approval of A for P submissions. Some speed-up action along this line is necessary.

Snow clearance has not yet become a problem and should not, even if heavy snowfalls occur, present the difficulties it did last winter. More adequate snow-fighting equipment is available and authorization has been granted for the hiring of two civilian snow-plow operators.

The water line between this station and Wonder Valley (9 miles distant) was taken over by the RCAF in September.

17. Operations

31 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Edgar, Ontario became operational the middle of Jun 1953, although evaluation of personnel did not publish their first reports until the end of July.

Exercise "Tail Wind" started on 9 July 1953 running until 12 July, both dates inclusive.

This exercise was considered as an excellent means of operational experience and training, for FtrCops and controllers alike.

At the beginning of "Tailwind" the Squadron had only been operational in a limited capacity for three weeks. Its communications were incomplete, which with the inexperienced personnel hindered complete liaison with other units of ADCHQ.

1. Surveillance personnel at this time were not trained to handle all the traffic from radar scopes and on some occasions as many as 9 plotters had their microphones cords wound around each other. These plotters, because of their inexperience, were slow in getting information on the GSM.
2. The FPS-3 or radar reporters did a very good job in interpreting the scopes and passing on the information to the plotters and high-tote operators.
3. The identification personnel, because of congestion on GSM, found it quite difficult at times to identify fighters and friendly fakers, but as the exercise progressed the personnel in all trades became more proficient.
4. This unit had two flights of fighter aircraft for intercept purposes, but due to lack of targets, etc., they were at no time under operational control.
5. Three Auxiliary units were deployed at Edgar for the exercise. They were absorbed in the crews of the GCI and were able to assist, to some extent, although they were not familiar with procedure in use. These units were:

2403 Squadron Calgary
2402 Squadron Winnipeg
2424 Squadron Hamilton

6. Two Ground Observer Corps units (51 GObC and 52 GObC from Barrie and London) passed their plots to Surveillance and were shown on GSM

The exercise ended on Jul 12, 1953 with all concerned giving a sigh of relief, but all the wiser for the experience in actual workings of GCI.

Flight trials on "Height Finders" were carried out at this unit on 18 Sep 53 for 3 days.

Aircraft from Ottawa and North Bay were controlled by F/O Prentice ADCHQ during the exercise, other personnel were:

Two Auxiliary squadrons, 2400 AC&W Toronto, 2424 AC&W Hamilton deployed at Edgar for weekend training. These squadrons first arrived at this unit for familiarization during first part of Sep. Each unit spends two weekends per month with personnel of this unit. Units consist of Fighter Controllers and Fighter Cops plus ancillary personnel.

18. Special Events

A special parade in honour of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held on 2 Jun.

The Commanding Officer laid wreaths at the cenotaph in the town of Barrie on Battle of Britain Sunday and on Remembrance Day.

The AOC’s annual inspection was carried out on 1 Oct. The AOC, on arrival at the station inspected a guard of honour formed just inside the entrance of the station. Following a short meeting in the CO’s office the AOC and party had lunch, inspected the station parade formed up by the Administration Building, then proceeded to inspect all sections on the station. In the evening, the AOC and his party attended a special "dining-in" night at the Officer’s Mess. The visiting party remained overnight and left by air from Camp Borden on 2^nd Oct. From comments made by the AOC and his staff officers, it is felt that he was pleased with what he saw and heard.

A Town Council for the PMQ area was elected on 8 Jun 53. The council consists of a Mayor and 4 Aldermen.

In November, ADCHQ announced the award of the Queen’s Coronation Medal (1953) to the u/m personnel:

S/L TG Anderson
Sgt. JW Fairchild

W/C HC Vinniconbe
F/L RE Patterson
WO1 WT Lewington
Sgt. R Gallupe
Sgt. CA Powell
Cpl. WW Kennedy
Cpl. M Foden

A search and rescue team was formed in Sep (under ADC authority), consisting of 3 officers, 6 airmen.

A monster banquet, at which 145 persons attended, was held on 24 Oct in the Airmen’s and Airwomen’s Dining Hall. Those present at this banquet were members of the station baseball teams plus selected representatives from other teams in the baseball leagues with which our three teams were associated.

19. General

One of the main problems with which this station is faced is the large turnover of airwomen who marry and take their release from the RCAF. A total of 29 airwomen have been released up to 30 Nov. The load on the administration staff is so heavy (and a similar condition must apply at other units) that it is felt that some central unit or units should be designated as release units and supplied with staff to operate a release section.

Investigation of a number of marriage applications has revealed that they were not always legitimate. The present system of control over releases for marriage is very loose and should be tightened up considerably. A solution to this matter would be to grant a period of leave without pay up to an airwoman intending marriage.

During this period, she could get married and return to her parent unit, with proof of marriage. On production of this document, and on her request, she could be released on the spot. This would eliminate all possible doubt now existing that there is an actual intention to be married and that it is not just a short-cut to getting released. Under the present arrangement, neither CHQ or the unit can be sure that the airwoman does actually get married after release.

Another situation which is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst airmen is the disparity between the punishments which can be awarded to an airman and that which can be awarded to an airwoman for a similar offence. This complaint is completely justified and recommendations have been submitted to ADCHQ by this station to correct, to some degree, the differences now existing. Disciplinary troubles on this station are now almost completely caused by airwomen who are aware of the weakness of the disciplinary powers of the CO over them and are taking advantage of this lack of control. If detention barracks for airwomen were to be permitted the disciplinary troubles caused by airwomen would, as far as this station is concerned, likely drop about 90%.

20. Conclusion

It is considered that the progress made by this station during the period of this report has been quite constant and that the major organizational problems connected with a newly-formed station have been almost completely overcome.

If the present cooperation on the part of all sections continues on the same high level, there is every reason to believe that progress in the year 1954 will surpass that of the year 1953.

Prepared by:

(RE Patterson) F/L
CAdO

Submitted:

(HC Vinnicombe) W/C
Commanding Officer
31 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Edgar, Ontario.