Gander, NF

Name of Unit in Full: 226 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Gander, Nfld.

Name of Command: Air Defence Command

Location of Unit Headquarters: RCAF Station Gander, Nfld.

Strength as at 31 Dec

Total all ranks – 132

Total Civilian Personnel – 71

Nominal Roll of key personnel showing appointment held and date TOS.

Aircraft strength by types and aircraft registration numbers – Nil

Names and locations of sub-units, lodger units, detachments, etc, showing commanders:

Appendices

Appendix A – Historical Summary
Appendix B – Monthly Record of Activities
Appendix C – Photographs of officers who assumed key positions during period 1 Jan – 31 Dec 64
Appendix D – Photographs of special parades

Signed by:
(CN Stanley) S/L
CO, RCAF Station Gander

Appendix A to
Historical Report 1964

Introduction

1. No changes were made to the role of this unit which is: to collect, display and relay to higher echelons up to minute information on the air situation within its area of responsibility;
2. Station Gander acquired the role of providing support services, material, accounting, and unit liaison to Newfoundland’s 12 Air Cadet Squadrons as well as for 7CU, 114 U Squadron, and RU St. John’s.

1. In 1964 three officers left this unit; F/L C Campbell, F/L JA Legare, and F/L THE McCullough and these were replaced by F/L J Ferguson, F/L CV Starks, and F/O BJ Hogan. During this period the unit was involved in a USA ADC operational readiness inspection. The southern complex came through with flying colors scoring 100% in both interceptions and aircraft maintenance. Over the last twelve months, the unit has participated in 22 live exercises, 45 STM'’ and 10 ECCM demonstrations and exercises where ECM was used. A total of 1069 live and 561 synthetic intercepts were carried out.
2. On the technical side, the detection and tracking of friendly traffic was improved by the installation of a new SIF/IFF antenna. Some operations room improvements were carried out, including the construction of a passage way to bypass the operations room and cut down traffic over the dias. A teletype machine was installed in the operations room to receive priority traffic from 7CU at Torbay during the silent hours. To increase the operational efficiency of the unit plans have been drawn up to modify the operations dias to make more room for the SAC safe passage officer and to enable the BSSC staff to have a better view of the status boards during an Alternate Command Post situation. One notable change took place in 1964 in surveillance procedures, in that this unit was given official permission by RCAF ADC to conduct their surveillance role under NORADM 55/1 vice ADCI’s. This brought the unit into line with the USAF units with which it works and whom it is operationally responsible.
3. To summarize, 1964 has been a successful year with no outstanding problems.

The rewriting of the station EDP was completed. F/L JA Legare and Cpl. GDA Stromquist attended an STP conference at Goose Bay in May, and F/L B Wooding in October. F/L Wooding assumed the position of SGTO. Cross training for all controllers and NCO’s was held at Harmon. Rehabilitation interviews were held for all eligible personnel and a projectionist course was completed for six candidates.

Technical

(i) During 1964 a new IFF radar, the UPX-14 was installed by a GEEIA team of USAF personnel but a new antenna type AT-309 was not made available until later in the year when it was installed by unit personnel.

(ii) The ECCM capabilities of the AN/FPS-6B height finding radar were greatly increased by the addition of the 0A-2325 receiver.

(iii) Type RD-142 A/UN tape recorders were made available by the USAF for monitoring operations channels installed and were installed by unit personnel.

(iv) A VHF/FM two way radio was installed in the CE vehicle. This innovation has proven very successful as a time saver because it allows remote supervision of all CE tradesmen.

(i) During 1964 demands on the unit MSE Section increased considerably as reflected by a total mileage of 149,212 miles compared to 99,545 miles driven in 1963. The bulk of this increased mileage is attributed to ACLO duties, and is expected to remain approximately the same during 1965.

(ii) Despite the increase in operations, this section suffered only one accident which occurred on the 17 Jan 64 under adverse driving conditions and for which the operator was assessed as 0-25 percent at fault by ADC.

(iii) The section also received a visit from the SOMSE branch during the month of Apr for the annual command inspection, and was called upon on numerous occasions to provide transportation for visiting dignitaries, including the AOC, A/V/M Hendricks, A/V/M Harvey, and senior officers from the other services.

(c) CE Section

(i) The highlight of the year was the construction of a new curling rink, a joint public and NPF project. Construction was started in Sep and was 95% complete by the end of Dec.

(ii) Other projects of importance included the complete interior fire retardant painting of BB 8 and building 86, completed in May, and renovations to the Officer’s Mess, an NPF project, completed in Mar. A total of 30 PMQs were given a complete interior repainting.

(iii) During the year a total of 2050 work orders were completed under standard work commitments for normal day to day maintenance. Radar equipment, heating, and power plants operated throughout the year without major difficulties.

(iv) FS Green replaced Sgt. Gadoua as Projects Superintendent.

Upon departure of F/O GK Booth 2 Aug 64, F/L JA Legare assumed the role of A/CAdO. F/L JM Campbell arrived to replace F/L Legare as CAdO on 2 Sep 64.

(a) Previous to Feb 64 Station Gander was the Parent Unit for four squadrons in the Gander area. When RCAF Station Torbay closed, Gander took over all 12 Newfoundland Squadrons as Parent Unit for Supply, Accounting, and Liaison visits. The station, unable to provide one PULO for each squadron, increased its establishment by one officer whose primary duty was PULO for all 12 squadrons.

(b) The establishment was increased by five airmen, FtrCop, to man switchboard replacing the civilian operators. The switchboard became the responsibility of the COpsO instead of the STelO.

ADC HQ specialist conducted Food Services, Supply, Recreation, Telecom and SOPA inspections. HQ Eastern Army Command carried out a postal inspection. SOMS from MAC conducted a medical inspection. MAC ACLO conducted an inspection of all Air Cadet Squadrons in Nov.

Appendix B to
Historical Report 1964

6 Jan 64

Cat 2 STM

Cat 2 STM

Cat 3 STM

Cat 2 STM

F/O BJ Hogan was TOS. Trade advancement for the Apr TEB commenced.

Cat 4 STM

Second Annual Station Gander Invitational Bonspiel held at the Airways Curling Club.

Cat 2 STM

Cat 2 STM

Preparation of Station EDP was taken over by the SGTO.

Live NORAD Evaluation of NNR.

Station Gander received the Canadian Red Cross Association "Centenary Citation" in recognition of RCAF Station Gander for the support it has given in the Red Cross Blood and Water Safety Programs.

Cat 2 STM

Cat 2 STM

Cat 4 STM

Live Chippewa Hunt. Handover of the inventories of 508, 510, 514, 511, 708, and 567 Squadron to RCAF Station Gander. Handover of inventories of &CU, 114 U Squadron and RU St. John’s to Station Gander.

Cat 2 STM

Cat 2 STM

Live Chippewa Hunt

Cat 3 STM

F/O BJ Hogan appointed PRO for Station Gander.

Desk Top 6

Cree Feather Live

Cat 2 STM

Chippewa Indian.

Fortieth Birthday of RCAF celebrated with a Mess Dinner with Colonel Dunway, USAF, as Guest Speaker. Live Chippewa Hunt.

F/O JL Mackay TOS as Nursing Sister.

Cree Gold.

Air Cadet Officers Conference – RCAF Station Gander.

Chippewa Hunt live.

Trade exams written and GT report prepared. Station EDP completed and distributed.

Visit from SOMSE branch.

Cree Gold

Cat 2 STM

Live Mute 9

IFF radar UPX-14 installed. 0A-2325RX installed in FPS-6 radar.

Cat 2 STM

RD142A/UN tape recorders installed.

Cat 2 STM

Live SAGE 4 (no notice). Ball field partially rebuilt under direction of STelO.

Cat 2 STM. ECM Demo by a C-119.

Desk Top 6

STP Conference was held at Goose. F/L Legare and Cpl. Stromquist represented RCAF Station Gander. F/L CA Campbell TOS, replacing F/O Dragojevich in the position of SSupO.

ECM Exercise by B-57. Visit of A/C AC Hull, C of S for Annual Inspection. Station mounted a guard of honour.

Chippewa Indian.

CHQ inspection of supply section by S/L Hines, ADC SOSup/S4 revealed satisfactory results. Cat 2 STM.

Cat 2 STM

Students from Vera Perlin School for retarded children completed 12 week swimming course. ECM demo.

Station EDP.

Cree Gold

Group IV exams held.

Cat 2 STM. F/O EB Abbott TOS as STelO.

F/L TM McCullough SOS.

Three civilian telephone positions and one telephone supervisor position converted to service operator.

Live Chippewa Hunt.

Eight cadets departed for a 7 week Senior Leaders Course at Camp Borden.

Flying training for nine cadets commences with the Avalon Flying Club. Cat 2 STM.

Cat 4 STM

F/L C Campbell SOS.

Live Chippewa Hunt.

ECM Demo. Cadet French of 537 Squadron departs for Israel on the Exchange Visit.

Trade advancement arranged for October trade exams.

Cadet White of 510 Squadron departs for the United States on the Exchange Visit. 219 cadets depart for two week summer camp at Greenwood.

Visit of A/V/M Harvey. Station mounted a guard of honour.

Cadet Billard of 508 Squadron departed for Namao to partake in the Summer Bush Survival Course. F/O DH Douglas TOS as PULO for all Newfoundland Air Cadet Squadrons.

RCAF Station Gander obtained a Newfoundland dog "Timmy" as its station mascot.

Live Kiowa Magic Foxtrot.

Thirty-six cadets arrive at RCAF Station Gander for two week drill course.

Cat 2 STM

Chippewa Indian

Cree Feather

F/L JM Campbell TOS as CAdO.

Cat 2 STM

F/L Starks arrives. Three days of cross training at Harmon AFB were arranged for F/L Legare.

ECM Demo

Live Chippewa Indian

Cree Gold

Cat 2 STM

F/L CA Campbell became acting CTSO upon the retirement of F/L CA Casson.

Cree Feather.

Battle of Britain Day Parade held.

F/L Ferguson TOS.

Live Chippewa Hunt

F/L JA Legare SOS.

F/L Wooding assumed the position of SGTO. Group 1, 2 and 3 trade exams held. F/L Andrews appointed SULO.

F/L GR Shaw replaced F/L CA Campbell as CTSO.

Cat 2 STM

Air Cadet Provincial Committee Conference held at St. John’s.

Chippewa Hunt

VHF/FM two way radio installed in CE vehicle

Live Winnebago Feather

Cat 2 STM

New Antenna AT-309 installed in IFF radar.

Chippewa Hunt

Station Gander volunteers conducted a 9 day search under the leadership of F/L Cunningham for Mr. Francis of Clarke’s Head, Gander Bay. Mr. Francis was not found and is presumed dead.

DM audit carried out.

Air Cadet Officers Conference held at RCAF Station Gander.

Remembrance Day Parade. (wreath laid by CO).

Chippewa Hunt Live

Cat 2 STM

Cpl. Martin awarded St. John Ambulance Instructors Certificate. Sgt. Robinson awarded a priority vote of thanks from Sir Leonard Outerbridge on behalf of the St John Ambulance Association.

Desk Top 7

Swimming group dance. Donated proceeds to Red Cross.

Cat 2 STM

Cree Feather

Projectionist courses were held for six candidates

Curling commenced at the new curling rink

Cat 2 STM

Station EDP

Live Chippewa Hunt

First Bonspiel held at Station Gander.

Live Apache Race

Rehabilitation returns were completed and forwarded.

Curling rink was 95% completed.