December 1955
OPERATIONS
The weather took its toll on the flying this month. During the whole month we were plagued by continuous overcast conditions, plus fog and rain. The squadron took part in two Air Divison exercises during the month, "Exercise Swordflash", and "Exercise Twin Tune". From the 6th to the 14th of December, 10 aircraft and 10 pilots with supporting ground crew were dispersed to #3 (F) Wing for "Exercise Zulu". A total of 20 sorties and 29:30 hours were flown during Zulu exercise. The rest of the flying for the month comprised of high level battle formation trips, and a great number of beacon let downs and GCAs. There was a total of 298 sorties flown for the month.
15381 F/O S Jones left for Canada this month to attend a PAI course due to commence the first part of Jan. He will return to the squadron on completion of the course.
ADMINISTRATION
40270 F/L DLF Mayne, reported to the squadron 23 Dec 55 for flying duties. He arrived from OTU Chatham.
January 1956
OPERATIONS
The squadron took part in two operational exercises during the month of January, both being of the re-occurring type. On 12 Jan 56, eight 439 (F) Sqn aircraft took off as raiders on "Exercise Argus" and landed at RAF Station Geilenkirchen, refuelled and returned to Marville. From the 17 to 25 Jan 56, 10 aircraft and 10 pilots with supporting groundcrew were dispersed to 3 (F) Wing for "Zulu". A total of 44 sorties and 57:15 hours were flown during Zulu exercise. At other times during the month the squadron provided aircraft for Zulu backup. The rest of the months flying was comprised of high level battle formation, navigation, a number of sorties on cine simulated drogue, and local practice, with the usual number of instrument let downs and GCA's. There was a total of 432 sorties flown for the month.
The following pilots attended the Oxygen Indoctrination Course at Wiesbaden, Germany.
204118 F/O CE Roberts
200439 F/O WN Morrison
140552 F/O DL Redmond
221696 F/O JE McCann
19868 S/L M Belleau at the close of the month was attending a ski course in the French Alps. S/L Belleau also attended a one week course in Current Affairs at Nottingham, England during the first week of January.
ADMINISTRATION
224785 F/O MT Tillotson, reported to the squadron 19 Jan 56 for flying duties. He arrived from OTU Chatham.
45039 F/O GJ Kerr returned to Canada 20 Jan 56 on termination of his tour overseas. F/L Kerr was transferrd to OTU Chatham.
February 1956
OPERATIONS
Once again the European weather took its toll on the flying time for the month of February. Our base along with nearly every other NATO base in France and Germany was closed down because of fog that kept the visibility down to one mile and less. Flying for the month was comprised of high level battle formation, cine drogue, and three exercises. On the 2 Feb 56 two sections of four aircraft were scrambled to intercept simulated bombers on exercise "Argus". On the 10 Feb 56 four aircraft took part in Exercise "Trolley Trot". From the 22 Feb to the 29 Feb 56 the squadron had 14 aircraft and 14 pilots, along with supporting groundcrew, dispersed to 3 (F) Wing for Exercise "Zulu". A total of 44 sorties and 50:05 hours were flown during "Zulu" exercise. Total sorties for the month 271.
The following pilots attended the Oxygen Indoctrination Course at Wiesbaden, Germany.
224785 F/O MT Tillotson
40270 F/L DL Mayne
203579 F/O DA Ryan
12758 F/L DO Schneider
43843 F/O KD Castle
203579 F/O DA Ryan attended the ski course in the French Alps, and 19868 S/L M Belleau returned from the same course which he started the last week of January.
ADMINSTRATION
32928 F/L LE Jarvis, reported to the squadron, 28 Feb 56, for flying duties. He arrived from OTU Chatham.
March 1956
OPERATIONS
Flying for the month of March was comprised mostly of cine flag practice which was in preparation for the squadron's tour at Rabat which was to commence on the 28 Mar 56. Also in preparation for the trip to Rabat was a series of non-stopover navigation trips Marville to Istres and back, which were to test the installation of the large 167 gallon drop tanks on the aircraft. Take-off for Rabat was scheduled for the 28 Mar 56, but because of adverse winds and weather enroute, the take-off was delayed until the 31 Mar. The 1160 KM trip was carried out with-out mishap, with a brief stop-over at Istres for refuelling.
The first North Star with the advance party took off on 26 Mar, but the second trip scheduled for the 28 Mar was held up for one day pending take-off of the Sabres.
Other flying for the month was comprised of phase training, high level battle formation, the usual number of air tests, and local practice including aerobatics, let-down, and GCA's.
Total sorties for March - 523.
15381 F/O S Jones is still on the PAI course in Canada.
200439 F/O WN Morrison while in flight had the starboard ammunition access door tear off of aircraft 23220, and cause considerable damage to the leading edge of the starboard wing, also knocking the starboard drop tank from the aircraft. Apparent cause of the accident was failure of the door hinge.
ADMINISTRATION
209683 F/O OL Grimm and 205417 F/O NJ Smith arrived with the squadron on 3 Mar 56. They came to the squadron from OTU Chatham.
April 1956
OPERATIONS
The squadron flying for the month of April, was all done at Rabat, French Morocco, with the exception of three days at the end of the month. Air to air firing on "Weapons Fire III" commenced 2 Apr 56, five days behind schedule. The delay was caused by adverse weather and wind conditions enroute Marville to Rabat. The aircraft arrived at Rabat 31 Mar 56, and returned to Marville 25 Apr 56. Out of this time a total of eleven full days and five half days were lost during the exercise due to poor weather.
A total of 534 firing sorties were completed for an average of 14.8 per pilot. Overall average for the squadron was 25.4%; competitive average 34.0%, and Trophy Shoot 31.6 hits per pilot.
F/O MB Tatton captured honours within the squadron for the high overall average (40.1%) and the high competive average (52.7%). F/O TG Nilson achieved the record number of hits (97) on the Trophy Shoot for all of Air Division.
Sorties for the month of April totaled 820.
200439 F/O WN Morrison departed for Canada on the 16 Apr 56 attend a course on Flying Safety.
ADMINISTRATION
On 11 Apr 56, while 439 Sqn was in Rabat, command of the squadron changed hands. 19870 S/L DJ Bullock took over from 19868 S/L M Belleau who had been in command of the squadron since 8 Jul 53. S/L Belleau is going to 2 (F) Wing to take over temporarily as OC of 421 (F) Sqn, pending his return to Canada sometime in July this year.
On 13 Apr 56, 203579 F/O DA Ryan departed for Canada on posting to OTU Chatham, NB.
May 1956
OPERATIONS
The weather during May was unusually good, and was the largest factor toward the number of sorties and hours the squadron got for the month. The squadron took part in three exercises during the month, other than "Zulu". Operation "Rejuvenate" was in co-operation with the RAF, with our aircraft acting as raiders going over England, and in turn being intercepted by RAF Hunters. Air Division aircraft flew pre-determined routes, landed at Weathersfield air base (USAF) in England, refueled and returned direct to their respective bases. The other two operational exercises, both of the re-occurring type were exercise "Sword Flash" (39 sorties) and "Tuesday Scrimmage" (6 sorties). The squadron took over "Zulu" operating out of 1 (F) Wing at 1230 hrs 16 May 56, and was relieved of that duty at 1230 hrs 23 May 56. A total of 213 sorties were flown during "Zulu" exercise. Other flying was comprised of High Level Battle formation, Navigation trips including those to other wings, phase training, air test, and local practice. Total sorties for the month, 713.
228441 F/O FA Isaacs departed 1 (F) Wing 19 May 56 to attend PAI course at Chatham NB. The same day 15381 F/O S Jones returned to the squadron from the same course.
45866 F/O JY Hallee while in flight had a starboard gun bay access door come off of aircraft 23223, and do extensive damage to the leading edge of the starboard wing. Return to base, and landing was completed without difficulty. Cause of accident attributed to the panel not being secured properly by ground crew.
ADMINISTRATION
17497 F/L RB Baker reported in 1 May 56 for flying duties from OTU Chatham. On 4 May 56, 17488 F/L GH MacMillan transferred from 441 (F) Sqn to 439 (F) Sqn to take over as "A" Flight Commander. He took over from 12758 F/L DO Schneider who was hospitalized at the time, and who in turn took over as deputy squadron commander of 439 on return from sick leave. 19599 W/C DJ Williams arrived on the sqn 16 May 56. He is with the squadron for the purpose of contact training.