Foymount, ON

1954 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


NARRATIVE REPORT
RCAF STATION FOYMOUNT, ONTARIO
1 DEC 54 to 31 MAY 55

3 Dec 54

A Farewell party was held in the Officer’s Mess in honour of W/C DL Ramsay, departing CO, and Mrs. Ramsay. In addition to personnel of this Squadron, W/C T Anderson and Mrs. Anderson, S/L Schroeder and Mrs. Schroeder, and S/L Cairns and Mrs. Cairns of 3 ADCC attended, as well as prominent citizens from Eganville. This was one of the most successful parties to be held in the Officer’s Mess. F/L RT Williams, CAdO, paid tribute to W/C Ramsay and all he had accomplished as CO.

5 Dec 54

19963 W/C DL Ramsay, CO, left for overseas. 26155 S/L DC Bullock assumed temporary command of 32 AC&W Squadron. F/L JTC Elton held A/Senior Controller position while S/L DC Bullock A/CO.

6 Dec 54

ECM Indoctrination Course - 52 officers from ADC units across Canada, after receiving the one week course, were appointed Unit Electronic Counter Measure officers.

7 Dec 54

20099 F/L DRC Jamieson was posted to 1 FTS, Centralia to commence Flying Training.

13 Dec 54

F/O RN Senior succeeded F/O EW Fox as Radar Officer.

25 Dec 54

The Officer’s Mess entertained the Senior NCOs prior to serving Christmas dinner to the airmen and airwomen. Dinner was served to the ORs at 1300 hours. Approximately 50% of the personnel were on the station and it was felt to be a most successful event.

31 Dec 54

During December the remainder of the Fighter Controllers returned from course in Tyndall, Florida.

1 Jan 55

The Officers and Senior NCOs served New Year’s dinner to the airmen and airwomen.

9 Jan 55

202695W F/O CL Hutcheon transferred RCAF Station Rockcliffe.

10 Jan 55

931 W/C J Woofenden assumed command of 32 AC&W Squadron vice A/CO 26155 S/L DC Bullock. 45986W P/O BR Anderson assumed duties of Station Adjutant vice 202695 F/O CL Hutcheon.

12 Jan 55

32 AC&W was honoured by a visit from the Press, the first in the history of the Station. Members of the BCB, National Film Board and various newspapers throughout Canada and the USA were accompanied by S/L SA Bascome, F/L CH Brooks and F/L H Astrof of ADC and F/S F Goven of AFHQ on a tour of the Station. Cocktails and buffet lunch were served in the Officer’s Mess at 1230 hours followed by a visit to the various sections in the tower in the afternoon. At 1730 hours cocktails were again served followed by a dinner at 1830 hours.

14 Jan 55

5 Officers and 3 airwomen arrived from 2416 Aux Squadron for week-end training.

17 Jan 55

All eligible Flying Officers commenced a brain-racking week of writing F/O Qualifying Exams.

26 Jan 55

34629 F/O EW Gummeson, Ground Defence Officer arrived from Station Uplands for a liaison visit.

27 Jan 55

931 W/C J Woolfenden, 26155 S/L DC Bullock, 209520 F/O WE Vine, and 20952 F/O RK Metheral proceeded to Uplands for Cross Training for one day.

28 - 30 Jan 55

Three officers arrived from 2416 Aux Squadron for week-end training.

31 Jan 55

This date saw the commencement of a week of writing Flight Lieutenants Qualifying exams for our two eligible Flight Lieutenants.

2 Feb 55

931 W/C J Woolfenden proceeded to ADC for a discussion with Staff Officers. Z130878 Captain CJ Dueling and travelling Dental Team arrived for a 4 weeks visit.

5 Feb 55

40789 F/O DH Washington, 2 airwomen and 1 AC proceeded on TD to 655 AC&W Squadron, Watertown, NY, for Cross Training.

6 Feb 55

A0300481 1/Lt. CJ Hill, two S/Sgts. And 1 A2C reported for 9 days TD from 655 AC&W Squadron Watertown, for Cross training.

8 Feb 55

At 0745 hours 931 W/C J Woolfenden assumed official command of 32 AC&W Squadron vice 26155 S/L DC Bullock at a Handing Over Parade held in the Recreational Hall.

9 Feb 55

26155 S/L DC Bullock proceeded on TD to 3 ADCC Edgar to attend Senior Controllers Conference.

10 Feb 55

931 W/C J Woolfenden proceeded on TD to 3 ADCC Edgar to attend Senior Controllers Conference. 30170 S/L E Baxter assumes temporary command of 32 AC&W Squadron vice 931 W/C J Woolfenden.

13 Feb 55

1303 F/O RN Senior proceeded on TD to ADCHQ for conference.

14 Feb 55

26155 S/L DC Bullock assumes temporary command of 32 AC&W Squadron vice 30170 S/L E Baxter. 931 W/C J Woolfenden proceeded on TD to TCHQ Trenton, Ontario to be member of Assessment Board to assist in marking Air Power paper of F/L Qualifying exams.

17 Feb 55

Exercise Bloodhound I, including all Air Search & Rescue facilities at RCC Trenton and the Ground Search & Rescue team at Foymount took place. On the morning of 17 Feb 55, visibility was poor with a low mist covering this area. At 0800 hours F/O RJ Ball and WO1 RB Robinson were taken to a predetermined crash scene on the northern edge of Lake Clear, where they simulated a crash scene of a CF100 aircraft and set up signal to attract search aircraft. They were accompanied by N/S Dorothy Harnett, who was to stand by awaiting a para rescue drop by the alerted search aircraft. Approximately 1430 hours Dakota 414 sighted the crash scene and dropped one para med member and two para rescue members. After they had landed without mishap, F/O Harnett was escorted back to an awaiting vehicle to return to camp.

At 1506 hours the Foymount Ground S&R team was alerted by Trenton RCC and proceeded to the crash scene at 4525N 7713W. This team consisted of following members: F/O DE Popham, F/O D Washington, F/Sgt. R Buck, Sgt. Janzen, Sgt. C Burbidge and LAC Parker. The one mile trek through heavy bush and deep snow was very difficult but the crash scene was reached at 1730 hours. The Ground S&R team set up camp and settled down to spend the night. At 1000 hours 18 Feb 55 a Piasecki H-21 Tramden Helicopter and Otter A/C (with skis) from Trenton RCC arrived to evacuate the party. This evacuation was completed by 1100 hours, 18 Feb 55.

It was the honour of Foymount to be the first radar station to participate in one of these joint exercises and the first radar station to have a helicopter land on the Sports Field.

16 Feb 55

19717 S/L W David and 10566 F/O JA Blackett arrived from ADCHQ on liaison visit.

18 Feb 55

A very successful Valentine’s Dance was held in the Recreation Hall.

20 Feb 55

30170 S/L EG Baxter proceeded on TD to TCHQ Trenton to assist in marking Trade Board exams. One officer, one T/Sgt. And 2 A2cs arrived for 9 days Cross Training from 655 AC&W Squadron Watertown, NY. 26473 F/O PJ O’Neill proceeded to 655 AC&W Squadron Watertown, NY on Cross Training.

23 Feb 55

19964 S/L W Whiteford reported on TD from ADCHQ on liaison visit.

6 Mar 55

931 W/C J Woolfenden and 26155 S/L DC Bullock proceeded on TD to North Bay on MG2 Fire Control Course.

11 Mar 55

3 officers and 5 airwomen arrived from 2416 Aux Squadron for week-end training.

12 Mar 55

30145W F/L JE Parent reported on TD from ADCHQ on liaison visit to the Station Hospital.

17 Mar 55

Trade examinations were held in the Recreation Hall at 0900 hours under the supervision of 209520 F/O WE Vine and 3463P P/O AEV Cherkowski.

19 Mar 55

A very successful St. Patrick’s Dance was held in the Recreation Hall. 30170 S/L E Baxter, CTechSO, proceeded on TD to New York, USA.

21 Mar 55

23281 F/O W Sinclair from ADCHQ arrived on 3 day visit of Fire inspection.

22 Mar 55

13291 S/L Whetstone, 9881 F/O HJ Cooney, 22464 F/O LS Stewart, and 9961 F/L WJ Hennegger reported on TD from AFHQ, Ottawa on tour of the Operations Building.

25 to 28 Mar 55

Six officers and nine airwomen from 2416 Aux Squadron, Ottawa arrived for week-end training. All Reserves were snowbound until noon of 29 Mar 55 due to the worst blizzard this area has experienced in some years. Roads leading to Ottawa were blocked.

29 Mar 55

229702 F/L FJ Delong, Protestant Padre from Uplands arrived for 3 day visit. Services were held on 3 successive days for Protestant personnel.

31 Mar 55

931 W/C J Woolfenden had the honour of presenting the CD medal to 24931 F/S WE Hawkins, 24462 F/S CS Howell, and 24812 Sgt. C Burbridge at a parade held in the Rec. Hall at 0745 hours.

2 Apr 55

The long awaited opening of the new bar in the Officer’s Mess was finalized in this gala party for all officers and wives with visiting personnel from Edgar, 2416 Squadron and prominent citizens of Eganville and surrounding districts attending. The bar, designed by WO1 L Smith the CEO, is a credit to the fine workmanship and hard labor extended by all concerned in the project.

3 Apr 55

931 J Woolfenden, 21645 F/O AW Becker and 34638W P/O AAV Cherkowski departed on TD to Tyndall, Florida for Fighter Controllers Course.

4 Apr 55

26155 S/L DC Bullock assumes temporary command of 32 AC&W Squadron, Foymount during the absence of 931 W/C J Woolfenden.

8 Apr 55

48463 F/O LJ Lloyd proceeded on TD to 1 R&CS Clinton for Guided Missile course.

9 Apr 55

225547 AC DB Kemble and 212413 AC LK Neilson FtrCop proceeding on posting to 2PSU (O) London for indoctrination.

13 Apr 55

Mr. Norman Reddaway of the Office of the High Commission for the United Kingdom gave a very interesting lecture in the Station theatre on the "United Kingdom Foreign Policy".

17 Apr 55

212076 F/O JR Vickers and 209521 F/O RK Metheral proceeded on TD to 3 ADCC Edgar for 3 day visit.

19 Apr 55

30170 S/L E Baxter assumes temporary command of 32 AC&W Squadron Foymount during the absence of A/CO 26155 S/L DC Bullock who departed on TD to ADCHQ to attend the CO’s Conference.

25 Apr 55

26155 S/L DC Bullock re-assumed command of 32 AC&W Squadron Foymount.

1 May 55

Captain CJ Duesling and travelling Dental Team arrived for 4 week duty.

218633W

LAW

MG White

R Spec

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

38717W

LAW

AA Blackner

Med A

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

211288W

LAW

JM Lingl

FtrCop

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

203681W

LAW

JE Stanley

FtrCop

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

210102W

LAW

E Alexander

FtrCop

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

44856W

LAW

FM Cullen

FtrCop

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

20856W

LAW

JM Ryznor

FtrCop

promoted to A/Cpl. whilst as employed

3 May 55

The entire station, with the exception of those on duty in Operations turned out for a station clean-up in the afternoon.

5 May 55

A farewell party for F/L RT Williams departing for Claresholm, Alta., was held in the Officer’s Mess.

6 May 55

A dance held in the Rec. Hall was supplemented by a floor show sponsored by the O’Keffe’s Breweries. 4 officers and 5 airwomen arrived from 2416 Squadron (Aux) Uplands for week-end training.

8 May 55

5 officers and 2 AWs and 1 AC from 2416 Squadron (Aux) arrived for week-end training.

9 May 55

3035 F/L RT Williams was transferred to Claresholm, Alta., to take up duties as Adjutant.

10 May 55

Mr. CR Turner, Mr. GH Murray, Mr. HE Duggan from DM Audit Board arrived.

11 May 55

19668 F/L CF Divine assumed the position of CAdO of RCAF Station Foymount. Dr. JA Gibson, Deans of Arts & Science, Carleton College gave a very interesting lecture on "The Canadian Budget" in the Station Theatre. G/C CB Limbrick, W/C ER Long, and F/L DA Reid from AFHQ arrived on TD to observe trials of a project.

13 May 55

An informal dance was held in the Rec. Hall. Bowling awards for the past season were presented by the A/CO to the lucky winners.

14 May 55

Three officers and one Sgt. From 2416 Squadron Uplands arrived for week-end training.

17 May 55

Dr. JH Chapman, Dr. W Heikkala, Mr. Awrwick and Miss K Bauers from DRB arrived on TD for a survey of AN/FPS-503.

19 May 55

240331 S/L Gallagher (RC Chaplain) reported for 1 day TD. F/C A Outram URTP/Pers/PR DPM Staff reported in to procure publicity on Airwomen recruiting for press release. 13004 F/L AC Craig reported on TD from Mont Apica for 4 day visit to Radar Section.

20 May 55

Dr. JH Wong of National Research Council reported on TD for the erection of IFF Antenna.

23 May 55

20077 S/L AJ Simpson from AFHQ reported in for familiarization course with Senior Controller.

24 May 55

30170 S/L E Baxter proceeded on TD to ADCHQ to attend CTechSO Conference.

26 May 55

12484 F/L RW Lamont from AFHQ reported in on TD for CE Liaison visit of 1 day.

29 May 55

16 GObC personnel under the charge of F/L Wood of GObC Peterborough arrived for a tour of the unit.

30 May 55

W/C AW Robinson, AFHQ DID, S/L JJG Robinson AFHQ CTelO, F/O M Hesepeden, AFHQ arrived on TD to inspect Radomes.

31 May 55

310 S/L LR Chodat from 31 AC&W Squadron Edgar arrived for 2 day liaison visit.

Signed by:

(J Woolfenden) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Foymount