Historical Narrative
1 Air Division Headquarters
November 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
143 Officers |
1,003 Other Ranks |
1,146 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 903 hours.
October 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
136 Officers |
926 Other Ranks |
1,062 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 248 hours. 2 (F) Wing aircraft were grounded for 13 days because of fuel contamination.
Construction Engineering – 120 apartments were occupied this month.
September 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
129 Officers |
778 Other Ranks |
907 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 1,571 hours.
Construction Engineering – Progress on the married quarters is very close to schedule.
Dependents Schools – The schools opened this month in temporary accommodation.
August 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
133 Officers |
797 Other Ranks |
980 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 1,556 hours.
Construction Engineering – Construction of the married quarters is progressing satisfactorily.
July 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
135 Officers |
796 Other Ranks |
931 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 1,468 hours.
Exercises – 416 Squadron rotated with a USAF squadron from Hahn Air Force Base through the week of 5-10 July.
Construction Engineering – Projects under construction at 2 (F) Wing were: Recreation building and the perimeter road.
June 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
153 Officers |
825 Other Ranks |
978 Total |
Operations – Sabre flying hours for the month were 1,378 hours.
May 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
138 Officers |
910 Other Ranks |
948 Total |
Operations – 2 (F) Wing completed air firing exercises at Rabat Sale, French Morocco. 2 (F) Wing began conversion to the Sabre V’s and started ferrying II’s to England. 2 (F) Wing was re-equipped with V’s. Flying hours for the Sabres were 758 hours.
Accidents – After a flameout one aircraft was destroyed on landing off the field. A B category crash occurred to a Sabre II being delivered to the contractor. This aircraft overshot the runway.
Construction Engineering – Water damage to the heating system was repaired. Grading and seeding were almost complete.
April 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
136 Officers |
774 Other Ranks |
910 Total |
Operations – For the first time since the Air Division arrived in Europe a level of 30 hours flying per UE aircraft was attained. Sabre flying hours were 1,467 hours. Twenty four pilots of 2 (F) Wing were converted to Sabre V aircraft and were sent to Canada to assist in ferrying Sabre V’s to Grostenquin.
Accidents – One C category crash and one D category as the result of a mid air collision.
Aircraft Supply – 2 (F) Wing received eight Sabre V’s and withdrawal of the II’s was started. Air Division communications flight received its second Dakota.
Construction Engineering – The final road surfacing was started.
March 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
136 Officers |
798 Other Ranks |
934 Total |
Operations – Twenty four aircraft from 2 (F) Wing were deployed to Cambrai/Epinoy to act as "enemy intruders". The Squadron tour on air flying at Rabat Sale, was extended from two to three weeks and 421 Squadron commenced their turn at Rabat. Flying time for Sabres was 1,350 hours (which does not include 421 Squadron hours flown at Rabat).
Construction Engineering – Preparation for laying the final surface to station roads was commenced. Ponts et Chausses started repairs to the heating system which was damaged as a result of the cold weather in January and February.
Telecommunications – Microwave frequencies were assigned and provisional relay sites were selected. The local broadcast transmitter at 2 (F) Wing was installed.
Escape and Evasion Exercises – Training was commenced at the Wing in preparation for an Escape and Evasion exercise planned for the spring of 1955.
February 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
133 Officers |
780 Other Ranks |
913 Total |
Operations – 24 Sabres from 2 (F) Wing were deployed to Cambrai/Epinoy airfield on 28 Feb to participate in Exercise "Magnaflux" in March. Bad weather curtailed flying activity and Sabre flying hours were limited to 433 hours
Crashes – Fire in the forward fuselage resulted in heat damage to the forward fuselage and holes in the air duct of a Sabre aircraft. One wing tank was lost in a five G pull out.
Construction Engineering – The hangar line heating system failed to provide sufficient heat during the cold season. Ponts et Chausses were given the task of improving this problem.
January 1954
The station strength at 2 (F) Wing was:
|
132 Officers |
775 Other Ranks |
907 Total |
Operations – Exercise "Snowball", a Ground Controlled Intercept exercise continued during the month with variations of tactics and procedures being employed. Severe limitations of the French and American radars still prevent a satisfactory exercise. Bomber penetrations are simulated by four or more F-86 flying pre-determined tracks as targets for interception missions.
Negotiations to provide the use of FAF facilities at Rabat Sale, Morocco for air firing practice were concluded.
Operations – Sabre flying hours at 2 (F) Wing were 590 hours.
Telecommunications – A sixty foot receiver antenna mast was erected at 2 (F) Wing.