Historical Narrative
1 Air Division Headquarters
30 Nov 59
Introduction of the CF-104 into 1 Air Division – The Canadian government has accepted SACEUR;s recommendation of May 1959 and has made a decision to reequip their Sabre squadrons with CF-104 aircraft on a scale of 18 aircraft per squadron to carry out the Strike/Reconnaissance role. While the CF-104 is not programmed for squadron use until 1962, many problems concerning the introduction of this aircraft are being discussed between AFHQ – 1 Air Division – AMCHQ.
Leave Beyond Country in Which Serving – Under authority delegated by AFHQ the AOC controls leave travel for 1 Air Division personnel, in NATO countries and other neighbouring areas. During the period Jun 59 to Nov 59 no leave travel was permitted to West Berlin or to Russia and other communist countries (except Yugoslavia). Also owing to political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, no leave trips were allowed in Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt or other Arab countries, with the exception of one or two day visits to Tangier. Most of the people in 2 (F) Wing took advantage of their leave periods to make trips in some of the other 24 NATO and neutral countries where travel was unrestricted, either with organized tours or under individual arrangements. Many families travelled by car and camped in tents or trailers.
2 (F) Wing Personnel.
|
Officers – Male |
199 |
|
Officers – Female |
8 |
|
Airmen |
1,200 |
|
Airwomen |
52 |
|
Civilian Employees |
421 |
Married Quarters and Dependents
|
No of PMQs |
443 |
|
No of Families – 1957 |
890 |
|
No of Families – 1958 |
995 |
|
No of Families – 1959 |
976 |
|
No of Children – 1957 |
1,130 |
|
No of Children – 1958 |
1,502 |
|
No of Children – 1959 |
1.655 |
Incidents Investigated by Air Force Police
|
Deaths (all headings) |
1 |
|
Assaults (all headings) |
1 |
|
Thefts & Related Offences – Public Property |
Nil |
|
Thefts & Related Offences – Non Public Property |
1 |
|
Thefts & Related Offences – Private Property |
2 |
|
Damage (Includes Fire but not PMC & GME) |
3 |
|
Accidents – GME |
8 |
|
Accidents – PMC |
67 |
|
AWA |
Nil |
|
Miscellaneous – Disorderly Conduct/Disobedience/Mischief |
4 |
|
Miscellaneous – Impaired and Drunk Driving |
1 |
|
Miscellaneous – Assistance to Other Forces |
2 |
|
Total |
90 |
13 Oct 59
The Belgians and the Canadians played host to one another when 421 Squadron deployed 12 aircraft to Florence Italy, in exchange for 12 F-84’s from 322 Squadron. This exchange continued until 22 Oct 59.
9 Aug 59
2 (F) Wing swung open their gates to celebrate "Friends Day". It was not an "Open House" to which the public at large were invited, but it was an event to which the officers, airmen and airwomen were given the opportunity to invite their French friends to see the base and some of the general activity.
18 Jun 59
Three Argus aircraft of the RCAF's Maritime Command landed at 2 (F) Wing Grostenquin, France. The purpose of the trip was to demonstrate the aircraft to other NATO countries.