Major Functions of the Unit.
The major function of this unit is to:
OPERATIONS
During the period 1 Jan to 2 Mar 64, 439 (R/A) Sqn and 441 (R/A) Sqn were readied and, on 3 Mar 64, commenced regular flying. On 1 Apr 64, 109 KU was TOS 1 Wing from 2 Wing and commenced flying out of this unit. Not one scheduled flight was missed during this move. The total flying for 1 Wing for 1964 included 6,516 sorties totalling 13,224 hours. Of this total, 439 (R/A) Sqn and 441 (R/A) Sqn flew 1,108 sorties totalling 2,754 hours; CEPE flew 83 sorties totalling 111 hours; WIF flew 1,842 sorties totalling 3,133 hours; 109 KU flew 3,483 sorties totalling 7,226 hours. 2,457 sorties totalling 4,760 hours were of an operational nature and flown by 109 KU. The balance of 4,059 sorties totalling 8,464 hours includes training missions, proving and evaluations, testing missions and 109KU service flights.
The following are some of the flights of special interest during 1964:
On 3 Mar 64, W/C RM Edwards, OC 441 (R/A) Sqn flew the first photo reconnaissance mission in a CF-104 from Marville. The mission included an aerial shot of the headquarters building at 1 Wing. (See photograph Appendix C).
441 (R/A) and 439 (R/A) Squadron commenced operation of "Hi-Lo-Hi" trips in April 1964.
In May 1964, a "Hi-Lo-Hi" mission was flown to Vimy Ridge. This was during the visit of the Air Officer Commanding for the Wing's Annual Inspection and this mission was designed to illustrate the performance of such trips for the AOC. (See photo at Appendix C).
439 (R/A) Sqn took part in a flypast over Omaha Beach on 6 June 64, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Normandy landings.S/L Frazer, OC 439 (R/A) Sqn, led a section of four CF-104s. This section was part of a large formation of eight French Mirage, eight USAF F-101s and eight RAF Hunters.
On 6 Jan 64, Marville Approach Control facility was re-located at Moselle Control. Five officers were transferred to Moselle as Approach Controllers.
In mid-January, in preparation for the Intelligence Section's support of CF-104 operations, its working area was increased to include the Wing Briefing Room. This room, renamed "Target Intelligence", will accommodate approximately 78,000 maps, map tables and storage facilities for graphic equipment and also provide space for 10 airmen.
On 20 Jan 64, 441 (R/A) Sqn was re-activated. 439 (R/A) Sqn was officially re-activated on 2 Mar 64. Both are Recce/Attack Squadrons equipped with CF-104 aircraft.
In Feb 64, the first strip map was delivered to 441 (R/A) Sqn, complete with route folder.
Up to the end of March, pilots completed visit check flights in T-33 aircraft and commenced flying pre-planned low-level routes, getting used to the European environment.
On 14 Mar 64, Operation "Snowgoose" commenced, terminating on 23 Mar 64. During this operation, fifty-four aircraft arrived and departed, these aircraft consisted of Yukons and Hercules. 1 Wing Weather Office participated in Operation "Snowgoose" and forecaster weather was provided by them around the clock, when all aircraft were briefed to Nicosia and return to Canada; a total of sixty long-range briefings. "Snowgoose" comprised the airlift of Canada's UN forces to Cypress.
During March 1964, specialized weather briefing procedures were implemented to suit the requirements of CF-104 flying exercises. The number of short range transport weather briefings was increased considerably by the re-location of 109 KU Flight at Marville.
On 1 Apr 64, 109KU Flight moved to 1 Wing from 2 Wing and commenced operations from Marville, thus providing a mixed traffic environment. Not one scheduled flight was cancelled during the move.
On 10 Apr 64, eight photo pods were installed on CF-104 aircraft and on 30 Apr 64, Photo Maintenance and Servicing Section became operational in No. 2 Hangar. Also, on 30 Apr 64, the first Photo Trailer complex arrived for operational use in processing.
During the period 11 to 15 June 64, all members of 439 (R/A) Squadron attended the 1964 "NATO Tigers Meet", held at Cambrai, France, and hosted by the French Air Force. The "NATO Tigers Meet" is an unofficial meeting of all NATO Squadrons having the Tiger as a squadron symbol. The meeting has been held annually for the past four years and is hosted by a different squadron each year. Each of the squadrons attending bring their own aircraft and servicing personnel and participate in four days of flying competitions and informal discussions. 1964's Tiger meet was attended by squadrons of the USAF, FAF, BAF, GAF, RAF, and RCAF.
On 21 July 1964, F/L Huddleston experienced a bearing failure on the right nosewheel of his CF-104. On touchdown the wheel came off and the aircraft rapidly slewed off the runway. F/L Huddleston emerged unscathed, with only minor damage to the aircraft.
The Wing and Squadrons were inspected by the Chief of Operational Readiness, Lieutenant General JV Allard, CBE, on 13 Aug 64. A demonstration of photo recce trip was flown for the General on this occasion.
On 27 Oct 64, S/L Frazer, OC 439 (R/A) Sqn successfully ejected from his CF-104 aircraft near the French city of Troyes. The engine flamed out and would not relight after ingesting a bird. The aircraft crashed outside the city, with no fatalities.
On 10 Nov 64, F/L Willett was promoted to A/S/L and was also appointed Wing Tactical Evaluation Officer. F/L Breffitt also became A/S/L this date.
The squadrons and the station as a whole were subjected to an Air Division walk-through TACEVAL on 15 Dec 64, which was passed with flying colours. The squadrons will hold a limited operational commitment, commencing 1 Jan 65.
TRAINING
During the period 14 to 24 Jan 64 a TACAN Simulator course (special) attended by eight students from all Air Division units, was held at the Wing Ground Training Center.
Also at the Wing Ground Training Centre on 10 to 21 Feb 64, an ARC 27 (Electronics) course was held, attended by seven students from Air Division units.
The Wing ground training section has been used regularly during the year on a weekly basis for TA courses and Driver courses.
Between 20 Jan and 10 Feb 64, three First aid courses were conducted, with a total of 38 personnel being trained.
Preparations were made during April 1964 to receive a French Language Instructor. Actual classes commenced on 19 May, with an attendance of 20 daily.
51 candidates took part in the NCO's Qualifying EXaminations on 27 May 64 and on 23 Jun 64 fifty-eight candidates wrote Group 4 examinations.
The Semi-Annual trade exams, Groups 1, 2 and 3, were held on 14 Oct 64. On 19 Oct 64, a new cycle of French courses was commenced and on 30 Oct 64 French Instruction Classes were commenced for dependents.
TECHNICAL
During the period 1 Feb to 20 Apr 64, the new vehicle radio maintenance net was installed. This communicaitons facility consists of six mobile radios, plus a master and remote transceiver. Its purpose is to provide the CF-104 Servicing Center with control over the many vehicles required to service CF-104 aircraft on or near runways.
F/L Prentice (WArmO) was promoted to S/L effective 15 Mar 65.
During March, Wing Workshops commenced refurbishing the Crash Guard Trailer to provide comfortable facilities for personnel required to guard an "off the Wing" crash. The crash equipment trailer was re-designed in Apr 64, repainted and re-equipped for any airfield emergency.
G/C D Gooderham, Senior Ground Environment Officer from AMCHQ visited 1 Wing on 10 Apr 64, to inspect telecom facilities and review telecom problems that AMC could assist in solving. G/C Gooderham was particularly interested in our receiver site and its associate problems, especially single side band equipment, operating and techical difficulties.
S/L Prentice (WArmO) was appointed Weapons Safety Officer at 3 Wing RCAF on 10 Apr 64.
On 14 Apr 64, a civilian bus, owned by Mousset and Company of Longwy (M&M), transporting dependent school children to their homes at PMQs was involved in an accident. (See news clipping at App "D").
OFFICIAL VISITS AND INSPECTIONS
Attached as Exhibit 1 to this Report is a list showing official visitors and inspecting teams to 1 Wing during 1964.
Very worthy of mention however, was 1 Wing's "Visit of the Year", when the Prime Minister of Canada, the Hon Lester B Pearson paid a visit. He attended a Mess Dinner held in his honour at the Officers' Mess (see photo at App C), where other official personalities were present. The following morning, Prime Minister Pearson attended a junior hockey match at the Arrowhead Arena and was taken on a tour of the domestic site. (See photos at App "C" & news clippings at app "D"). At 1130 am after reviewing the Guard of Honour, under a wintry sun, Prime Minister Pearson departed 1 Wing via Yukon aircraft for Evereux, where he was to visit Dieppe before returning to Canada.
RECREATION
The sports and recreation programmes were active and varied again this year. Included in available leisure activities are hockey, skating, curling, golf, softball, badminton, bowling, swimming, judo, hobby shop, art and crafts, mess activities, skeet shooting, squash and movies. The PMQ recreation programme included an active Teen Town group, bridge, sewing classes, bingos, Scouts, Guides, Cub and Brownies and cinema sessions. CFN radio also provided an opportunity for those who wished to participate in programming.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Public Relations Programme at 1 Wing consisted mainly of visits to the Wing by groups of French and Belgian guests. 1 Wing arranged for the use of the swimming pool by the French Gendarmes from nearby Montmedy and Stenay, by school children from Montmedy and Damvillers. Other groups, such as Boy Scouts from Virton, Belgium, have been allowed to use the pool on request.
This year, as in previous years, the greatest single contribution to public relations at 1 Wing was the Wing Pipe Band. The band continued to receive numerous requests from large and small communities and organizations from as far afield as Brussels and Paris, and did their best to accept as many invitations as possible. A group of scottish dancers (1 Wing school teachers) performed with the pipe band on several occasions during 1964. This talented dancing added much to the pipe band's already widespread fame.
ADMINISTRATION
In March of this year, 109KU Flight moved to 1 Wing and commenced full operations on the 1st April 64. Following a governmental discussion, it was announced on the 7th February that 439 and 441 (R/A) Squadrons would assume a Reconnaissance Attack role. Training and preparation for this undertaking continued throughout the year.
Commensurate with the move of 109 KU to the Wing, four T-33 aircraft were added for proficiency flying and the Wing Instrument Flight became a Wing Instrument and Practice Flight. Additionally, one Dakota from 109KU is reserved for proficiency flying of aircrew from Air Division headquarters.
Overall administrative organization remained unchanged as these new units and changes of role were assimilated as a matter of course.
TERMINAL
During 1964, 29,574 passengers and 12,512 tons of freight were processed through the unit's overseas air terminal. In late November and early December 1964, several visits were paid to the terminal in preparation for the installation of a Canada Customs Group in early January 1965.
(AF Avant) G/C
CO 1 Wing RCAF