Historical Narrative
1 Air Division Headquarters
17 Dec 61
SOS. Horseman November 2, on a practice scramble under Yellowjack control, declared an emergency with a compressor stall. Returned to, and landed safely, at 2 (F) Wing.
13 Dec 61
SOS. A USAF T-33 declared an emergency with complete electrical failure. He was intercepted by Sandal 62 and escorted to 2 (F) Wing.
3 Dec 61
2 (F) Wing runway closed due to a USAF F-86H who diverted from Phalsbourg and blew a tire on landing. The aircraft swerved off the runway destroying 10 runway lights and putting a lot of mud on the runway. A further delay was caused when the ground personnel could not get a tow bar to remove the aircraft and the runway sweeper would not start. This did not change the 2 Wing Zulu status.
30 Nov 61
CF-104 Planning – Preparatory work for the de-activation of the Sabre squadrons, the disbandment of the CF-100 squadrons, and for the subsequent introduction of the CF-104 aircraft into 1 Air Division during 1962 has shown good progress. It is expected that the phase-out of the Sabre and CF-100 squadrons will proceed as planned, and that all support facilities, both operational and domestic, will be ready by the time the CF-104 aircraft arrive in Europe. The activation of the CF-104 squadrons will mark a change in the role of 1 Air Division from that of Air Defence to Strike Reconnaissance. A number of problems have developed during the planning, but it is anticipated, that these will be resolved in sufficient time to allow the first squadrons to become combat ready on schedule.
2 (F) Wing Personnel.
|
Officers – Male |
224 |
|
Officers – Female |
5 |
|
Airmen |
1,155 |
|
Airwomen |
42 |
|
Civilian Employees |
405 |
29 Nov 61
SOS. Handcuff Lima #2 declared an emergency with control problems while on GCA at 2 (F) Wing. No further difficulties were experienced and a safe landing was carried out at 2 (F) Wing.
20 Nov 61
Cashbox 8 lost one drop tank, bearing 065 at 8 ˝ miles from 2 (F) Wing. It was found that the drop tank landed in a field causing no damage.
1 Nov 61
SOS. Rampart (S/COC) reported an SOS 5 miles north of 2 (F) Wing. 2 Wing tower is in contact with Madcap 38 who has severe engine vibration and is recovering at 2 Wing. Madcap 38 landed safely at 1725Z.
26 Oct 61
SOS. Handcuff Lima #3 proceeding to 2 (F) Wing on one engine. Landed safely at 1400Z. SOS. SB E #1 airborne on a Zulu practice scramble, low on fuel, diverting to 2 (F) Wing. Landed safely at 2029Z.
18 Oct 61
SOS. Sandal 65 declared an emergency when experiencing complete radio failure. Recovered at 2 (F) Wing.
6 Oct 61
Yellowjack reported to Salesman a crash five miles south of 2 (F) Wing. 2 Wing confirmed the crash as Horseman Oscar #1 returning from a Zulu practice scramble. Fatal F/O MacKay. SOS. Viking Red #2 (Norwegian Air Force on exchange at 2 (F) Wing) reported short on fuel, recovering at 2 (F) Wing, landed safely at 0950Z.
26 Sep 61
2 (F) Wing advised Salesman that their runway is closed until further notice. Reason: an F-86 engaged the barrier. (see photos on this web site). Subsequently advised that the runway at 2 (F) Wing is now operational.
22 Aug 61
G/C Robert E MacBride, DFC, CD, today assumed command of 2 (F) Wing. He replaced G/C AB Searle, AFC, CD, who has been appointed Director of Flight Safety at Air Force Headquarters.
20 Aug 61
The 2 (F) Wing drum and trumpet band participated in the "Fete de la Mirabelle" parade which was held in Metz.
16 Jul 61
USAF bail out over 2 (F) Wing. USAF F-100 #6851 from Lakenheath, England. Both pilots ejected safely.
13 Jul 61
2 (F) Wing tower reported a large explosion in the Bombholder area. At 0940Z Metz was advised that the explosion was a USAF F-100. No further details. 2 (F) Wing closed until further notice because T-33 371 undercarriage folded up on landing. SOS in HD0402. Canadian CF-100 Rhubarb Tango #1 on one engine carrying out a single engine GCI/GCA approach under Yellowjack control at 2 (F) Wing. Landed safely at 1320Z.
9 Jul 61
Close to 12,000 French nationals came to this RCAF NATO base at Grostenquin France, 2 (F) Wing, to celebrate "Friend’s Day", an annual event instituted by the RCAF in Europe two years ago. Highlight of the afternoon was an unusual fly-past when 13 CF-100 all weather jet interceptors flew low over the base formed up in the Cross of Lorraine, to the delight of all spectators.
1 Jul 61
"Canada Day" celebrations were held at 2 (F) Wing. Numerous French nationals participated in this event.
26 Jun 61
2 Wing advised that General De Gaulle will be visiting the Metz area between the 28 Jun and 2 Jul 61. All 1 Air Div aircraft will remain on the ground during this period. The Zulu aircraft will hold state and be on hot and live scrambles only. The only other flying to take place will do so with special permission and no RCAF fighters will overfly France.
22 Jun 61
SOS. Canadian Air Force jet 607 (1 T-33) on a night navigation exercise, became lost when experiencing gyrosync compass trouble. Jet 607 declared an emergency using IFF in JB3555 which is in Switzerland. Yellowjack contacted 607 on guard frequency and assisted it to 2 (F) Wing. Jet 607 landed safely at 2350Z.
20 Jun 61
A message was received from 4ATAF HQ, regarding travel in France, stating that the highways in France would be closed from 0500Z to 1200Z 21 Jun 61. The farmers are striking demanding higher prices for their products. Personnel were advised not to travel if at all possible.
31 May 61
2 (F) Wing Personnel.
|
Officers – Male |
205 |
|
Officers – Female |
8 |
|
Airmen |
1,124 |
|
Airwomen |
45 |
|
Civilian Employees |
406 |
Recreation – 2 (F) Wing won the Inter-Unit Broomball (women) championship. The 1 Air Division Sports Achievement Trophy for the fiscal year was won for the first time by 2 (F) Wing. This trophy is presented to the unit that gets the most number of points for participation and for being a finalist or a champion in the many sports throughout the year. Points are also given for the number of clubs formed, such as archery, 5BX, XBX, fencing, gymnastics, judo, skin diving, table tennis, boxing, water polo, photography and weightlifting.
26 May 61
F/O Thomas Cameron, 22, a Sabre jet pilot from 2 Fighter Wing was killed late last night when the motor car he was driving went off the road and struck a tree. The accident occurred near Homburg Haut, Germany, about 60 miles east of Metz, France.
4 May 61
The volunteer Drum and Trumpet Band from 2 Fighter Wing won the annual Air Division Band Competition which was held at 3 Fighter Wing Zweibrucken Germany.
30 Apr 61
The two T-33 aircraft were removed from the establishment of each squadron and six added to the establishment of the Wing HQ. An additional T-33 aircraft was established at 2 (F) Wing to cover the extra proficiency flying commitments arising from units in the Metz area.
5 Feb 61
2 Wing participated at the first annual Air Force Europe Skiing competition at Zermatt, Switzerland. The top individual Canadian skier was F/O Jack Barr of Renfrew Ontario, from 2 Fighter Wing Grostenquin France. He finished 11th in the slalom and 6th in the giant slalom.
27 Jan 61
2 Wing received a report from a civilian source that an aircraft had crashed and was burning, approximately 4 miles north of the station. Horseman Charlie 2 called in to Yellowjack on climb out, going to check on the crash site and confirmed fire at the location. A ground party is was unable to confirm any casualties because the aircraft wreckage is badly burned. W/C Murray reported 3 flying boots were found and additional information was passed to the AOC.
21 Jan 61
A CF-100 AW interceptor from 423 (Eagle) Squadron, crashed at 7 o’clock tonight, shortly after taking off on a routine training exercise. Both members of the crew were killed. They were F/O AR Schellongovsky, 24, pilot, from Chilliwack BC., and F/O MJ Zimmer, 26, navigator, from Cudworth, Sask.