Parent, QC

Exercises - The following exercises were carried out during the month. Dec 2 Civil War; Dec 3 Smoke Ring BB; Dec 9 B-52 overfly intercept results 6 MA - 4 MI; Dec 13 B-47 overfly intercept results 6MA - 4 MI; Dec 18 Broadcast Control; Dec 30 Practice ECM jamming against this unit’s radar.

General - This months operational activity was above average. There was a power failure which stopped the radar equipment for several lengthy periods. Due to this power failure and other difficulties extra effort was required from all persons working in operations. On Dec 3 the search radar was stopped for 1.5 hours for an inspection of the rotation gear by CE specialists. The video mapping also went unserviceable for a short period. The search radar was shut off on Dec 7 in order to repair the rotation gear. The normal rotation rate of the search radar had been 5 RPM however on Dec 13 this rotation rate was changed to 3.3 RPM. There was a general re-organization of this unit’s VHF and UHF frequencies as well as channel numbers. The main power cable was broken and all communication equipment was off for 7 minutes on Dec 20. The power was reduced until Dec 26 when all equipment was declared serviceable. Operations visitors were W/C Anderson from ADCHQ and S/L Dumais from the Three Rivers Reserve Unit.

Operations - The number of practice intercepts was above average for this period, there being 361 for the month. Live tracks carried were 2424 which is average. There were 50 operational intercepts with 32 of these coming from an ECM exercise. There were 3 unknown tracks declared. No synthetic were carried for this period.

Exercises - There were 3 exercises with no names and results were 12 MA - 2 MI. One "Cue Ball" exercise was held and the results were 2 MA - 2 MI. An exercise was completed with F-86 aircraft using day fighter tactics and the results were 8 MA. There was an exercise with ECM employed and the results were very good with 24 MA - 8 MI.

General - One controller, F/O Winslow proceeded to an advanced control course at Yuma, Arizona. Mr. John Tubaugh is at this unit installing modifications for the system training program. The work is expected to take from three to six weeks.

A radar evaluation was carried out by F/L RJH Sheasby and his evaluation crew from 104 Comm Flight, St. Hubert, on the AN/FPS-6 Height Finder. LaTuque Telephone Company personnel arrived and carried out terms of DDP control REQ. PAR-AMC-T-3505 TE. 93991/5555 600-93-84-661. At the same time they repaired the RCAF owned cable facilities into new administration building. Construction of Central Heating Plant extension commenced. Construction of Diesel Workshops commenced. Canadian Marconi Company completed, to their satisfaction, the terms of contract based on CD 675420 (UHF Installation)

Operations - Operations for this month were routine except for the number of unknown aircraft flying across this unit’s area of responsibility. There were 11 unknown tracks, a slightly higher than average number of practice intercepts with 454 and 2534 live tracks were plotted for the month.

Exercises - The following exercises were carried out during the month: Feb 4 Exercise Civil War results 5 MA - 3 MI; Birch Tree 3 MA - 1 MI; Feb 11 Civil War results 6 MA; Feb 20 Cueball 4 MA 3 MI; Feb 26 Civil War results 1 MA - 1 MI.

General - This was a busy month for exercises and the results were very good. The CO of this unit, W/C CS Yarnell proceeded to Yuma, Arizona for the advanced control course. 397B5-1066 panel was received. 598A10-1021 Station wagon was transferred to St. Hubert. Visit by Mr. R Guile of Bell Telephone Company. The Rand Radar Target Simulator, AN/GPS-T2, was installed by Mr. John Tubaugh, of Westinghouse Air Brake Company, USA with the help of RCAF Radar technicians. The main equipment was placed in the Radar Monitor Room.102A30-1042, 28 Passenger Bus was received. Phase 8 of ADCOM Microwave system inspected in accordance with ADC letter 963-7(D/AOC/A) dated 12 Aug 57. Construction of 24 bed extension commenced. 4A32-1045, 28 passenger bus transferred to Station Holberg.

Operations - This was one of the busiest months with 3059 live tracks plotted. There were 527 practice intercepts which is well above normal. 5 aircraft were declared unknowns for this area for the month.

Exercises - The following exercises took place during the month: Mar 5 nine F-89 aircraft for practice intercepts; Mar 10 Exercise Shakeup results 4 MA; Mar 18 Exercise Shakeup result 4 MA; Mar 28-29 two exercises - results 5 MI.

General - One intercept controller, F/O Hunt proceeded to the advanced control course at Cold Lake, Alberta. Telecom inspection and visit by F/L Williams of ADCHQ. 46H34-1737, front end loader, was received.

Operations - This was a fairly quiet month for operational activity. There were 1250 live tracks carried, 152 practice intercepts and 11 unknowns for the month. The minimum activity was due to the shut down for the annual overhaul.

Exercises - The following exercises were held during the month: 6 Broadcast Control practice exercises. Exercise Shakeup results 3 MA - 3 MI. Exercise Cueball.

General - S/L Thibault arrived during the month as the COpsO of this station. During the shutdown for the annual overhaul which lasted from 14 Apr at 1400Z to 19 Apr 2140Z several controllers went on cross-training. F/O Cline, F/O MacKay and F/O Armstrong went to St. Hubert. F/O Simmons, F/O Hedley and F/O Bourdeau went to Bagotville. Annual overhaul of the AN/FPS-3C Search Radar equipment. This overhaul was done by Northern Electric Company personnel under the supervision of Mr. WH Heave, and with the assistance of unit Radar Technicians. Official opening of the new CE Section. 15C8-1748, Water Trailer, 250 Gallon was received.

Operations - This was one of the unit’s busiest months for traffic with 3055 live tracks being carried. There were 410 practice intercepts for the month and 9 unknown tracks.

Exercises - There were 6 Broadcast Control practice exercises during the period. Exercise Dawn Dance was the Broadcast Control type with results of 1 MA - 3 MI. One exercise Shakeup was held during the month.

General - One controller F/O Bourdeau was posted to Three Rivers, QC Reserve Unit. The radar evaluation team visited this unit to evaluate from May 20 to May 22. The present operational staff is COpsO - S/L Thibault; Assistant COpsO - F/L Healey-Ogden; OC Crew One - F/O Page; OC Crew Two - F/O MacKay; OC Crew Three - F/L Andrews; F/O Cline - Surveillance and Control Officer; F/O Boynes - Training Officer. Interim take-over of Diesel Workshops. Radar evaluation was carried out on the AN/FPS-3C Search Radar, by F/L Sheasby and his 104 Comm Flight Crew. F/L Sheasby was assisted in this project by Captain Christian, USAF from 4713 Radar Evaluation Squadron, Rome, NY. This was the first evaluation of the AN/FPS-3C by a Canadian Evaluation Team. AMIS terminating equipment and circuitry completed to RCAF Station St. Hubert. Mr. W Parama and a crew of RCA technicians carried out the annual peaking of the AN/TPS-501 Back-Up Height Finder, and the 15J1D Radar Target Simulator. They were assisted by four unit radar technicians. Phase 8 of ADCOM Microwave system inspected in accordance with ADC letter 953-7(D/AOC/A) dated 12 Aug 57.

Recreation - During the past six months the recreational activities on this unit have come from the beginnings of the winter sports, through the peak of the winter sports season, on to the conclusion of winter activities, and now to the spring and summer sports. All phases of winter sports activities increased over those of last season. One of the major factors being the erection of a new hockey rink near the Recreation Centre. This rink was built by the Sports Committee who put in very long hours of arduous labour. The total cost, $485.00, was borne by Station Fund; a point of interest is that had Station Fund been required to pay prevailing rates for lumber, fixtures, and labour, the cost would have been near $1,500.00. Careful bargaining and volunteer workers account for this saving. The great up surge in interest in hockey spilled over to create interest in all other forms of winter sports. Bowling, badminton, basketball, Fat Man’s Club, swimming, curling, skiing, etc., all experienced much increased attendance. A new curling club house and ski tow apparatus were added to station holdings. The biggest problem unit personnel had during this season was to find time to participate in all the activities that interested them. The recreation staff worked many long hard hours as did all other volunteer committee members. As a result of this years heavy program it was decided in early April that the time had come to centralize, under one committee, the overall control for recreation. For the first time RCAF Station Parent has now in being a Recreation Council. The result of this change has already been felt in the smoothness and ease with which the recreation program for the spring and summer is progressing. RCAF Station Senneterre invited RCAF Station Parent to a winter Sports Meet. This was a most successful weekend. Senneterre teams appeared to have a slight edge and finished the weekend ahead of Parent on final points. Summer sports and recreation equipment have been overhauled, replaced, or added to, and this unit is now waiting for the fine weather to start the program. Everything is in readiness for water-skiing, a new dock has been built, new water skis, tow ropes, boat attachments, etc., have been purchased. It is anticipated that many more people will water ski this year than last. Much planning has already been done for the Parent Summer Carnival. This year’s Carnival is being planned for an even bigger and better show. As expected, interest is already running high. An hour long floor show is being rehearsed and promises to surpass last year’s most successful affair. As usual, Station Senneterre will be invited to compete against Parent in the summer sports planned. Many fishing parties have been out on the lakes in the past two months. All unit personnel have had briefings on forest fire prevention, maps have been placed in the recreation centre and guardhouse showing leased property. All local people have been approached and invited to show their leased holdings. One tragic occurrence on 2 May 58 is worthy of note. Three airmen, inexperienced, left the unit by water in a canoe for a fishing trip. These lads found themselves in fast water despite of adequate indication of trouble ahead, and the canoe turned over and resulted in a drowning. Although it is impossible to post even a very small percentage of the dangerous water in this area, signs have been placed at the approaches to this fast water. The black flies have not yet made their appearance but an intensive program is underway to lessen this plague. A special team has been out in the bush doctoring the multitude of small streams in this area with DDT preparations, a large fog machine will be forthcoming shortly, small swing fog machines have all been overhauled, and two air sprays have been promised. This unit expected better results this year than last. In early May W/C Hampson and Mr. Windmill from AFHQ visited the unit and gave advise to this unit’s personnel responsible for the black fly program.

Schools - The schools will close 13 Jun 58 with all teachers having renewed their contract. It is felt that the standard of teaching is very high and this unit counts itself fortunate that our teachers are remaining.

Civilian Personnel - Visits by Command Staff, Employees Associations, and others, have all indicated that there are no problems concerning civilian labour on this Station. The Station CPO is carrying out his responsibilities towards the civilian personnel and the Station Administration staff in a competent manner.

Security - The AFP organization has had very few problems to cope with, the standard of discipline appears high. Four weeks and more at a time goes by without a single person being charged even with a petty offence. Relations with the village law enforcement agencies couldn’t be better and nothing seems to stand in the way of this relationship continuing.

Gift Shop - This unit, being isolated, is in need of a well stocked gift shop. Because of this need and the inadequacy of the old gift shop it was decided in March to construct a new gift shop in the front half of the Post Office. After much hashing over of floor plans a final submission was put forward to Command. Approval was also sought and obtained from the Post Office Department. After securing all the necessary approvals Station Fund had the new Gift Shop erected; cost a nominal $448.00. The end result has been a Gift Shop that better serves the Station personnel and a Post Office much more convenient to work in. Central Warehouse personnel have been able to cope with the increased work-load.

Medical Services - The hospital has a full staff now and this will help alleviate the overtime previously necessary when there were maternity cases. Twelve babies were delivered in the past six months. No problems of any consequences have been noted by Command Staff on their inspections. The sanitary inspector gave this unit a good assessment on a recent inspection. F/L G Haworth, SMO, has been notified that he transferred to 1 SD in July.

Religious Facilities - After the somewhat prolonged absence of a Protestant Padre this station was fortunate to have F/L C Jensen posted in. Everyone has been very happy with his work. Now, to this Station’s loss, F/L Jensen has been posted to Metz, France. The Padre will be missed by everyone. A local priest, Father Brein, was made officiating clergyman, subsequently recruited into the Supplementary Reserve and tragically was struck down with a serious illness all within the space of a few short months. The loss of this fine person was keenly felt by everyone. Father Levesque has since been doing fine work as Officiating Clergyman.

Dental Facilities - The dental clinic has been doing its usual fine service to the Station.

Messing Facilities - The kitchen staff have been hard at work the past few months what with entertainment in the Messes and Clubs being at its peak for the year. Their hard work has been appreciated. This staff is required to prepare many box lunches to be taken out on the many fishing expeditions by the living-in personnel. F/O Illingworth from Command has stated that the kitchen is generally running smoothly and her many helpful suggestions are receiving top priority. F/L Frew was transferred to Comox in January, and F/O Beaulieu took over the position of PAdO. F/L Strang from AFHQ and F/L Roberts from ADCHQ came on the station on 14 May for purposes of staff visit re WP administration.

Conclusion - In conclusion it is fair to say that all the Admin staff are working hard to increase their efficiency and provide the best possible service to the Operations and Technical sections on the Station.

Signed by:
(PJ Thibault) S/L
Acting Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Parent, Quebec