SECRET
Appendix B to
Historical Report
Month of January 1964
6 Jan 64
Marville Approach Control facility was relocated at Moselle Control. Five officers were transferred to Moselle as Approach Controllers.
8 Jan 64
Visit of Chaplain General Armed Forces, Rev Dr Foote.
11 - 12 Jan 64
1 Air Div Corporal's Bonspiel held at 1 Wing. (see photograph App C).
14 - 24 Jan 64
A special TACAN Simulator Course was conducted for eight students from 1 Air Div units.
1 - 14 Jan 64
In preparation for the Intelligence Section's support of CF-104 operations, they began assembling approximately 25 map cabinets. The section's work area increased to include the Wing briefing room - this room renamed "Target Intelligence" will accommodate approximately 78,000 maps, map tables, and the storage facilities for graphic equipment. It will also provide the working area for approximately ten airmen.
17 Jan 64
Prime Minister Lester Pearson arrived at 1 Wing on an official visit. Mess Dinner in Officers' Mess in the evening was attended by the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of National Defence, AOC, C of S, and officers from 1 Air Division units and also from Canadian Infantry Brigade. (See photograph App C).
17 Jan 64
Approval received from 1 Air Division for four CF-104 practice flights.
18 Jan 64
Prime Minister Pearson officiated at a children's hockey match at the Arrowhead, followed by a tour of the base facilities. (See photographs App C).
18 Jan 64
Prime Minister Pearson and members of his party were shown the CF-104 by the OC W/C Edwards, and member of 441 Sqn. (See photograph App C).
20 Jan 64
441 (R/A) Sqn was reactivated. After all T-33 visit check flying was completed, pilots dispersed to other Wings to fly CF-104's whilst 1 Wing's CF-104s were being made ready. The nucleus of the Sqn at this time consisted of the OC, W/C Edwards, F/L WE Gardiner, F/L LH Coulter, F/L RA Porter and F/L Breffitt. While on dispersal at 2 Wing, F/L Coulter became a member of a Board of Inquiry into the bail-out of F/L VanVleit.
20 - 24 Jan 64
Two Nuclear Defence First Aid Courses were conducted over this period. Twenty-six personnel were trained.
Month of February 1964
3 Feb 64
Broadcast over CFN Marville of the final game in the 1 air Division Championship Bonspiel.
4 Feb 64
Visit of Mr. Winmill (Surgeon General's Representative) to discuss pest control problems at 1 Wing.
6 Feb 64
CO and FLO attended a ceremony at the town hall of Montmedy when the Prefect of the Meuse, Mr Chazal, visited the town.
7 Feb 64
Curling Bonspiel at 1 Wing was televised by the Paris TV (RTF).
8 Feb 64
1 Wing Sr School were hosts for the Interwing High School Curling Bonspiel.
10 Feb 64
The Intelligence Section map cabinets were completely assembled as of this date.
10 - 21 Feb 64
ARC 27 (Electronics) course for 1 Air Division units trained seven students.
10 Feb 64
First Aid Course - 12 personnel trained.
13 Feb 64
Mr John Everett, Junior School Inspector, made official visit to DND Junior School at 1 Wing PMQ area.
15 Feb 64
Invitational Badminton Tournament. Fountainbleau and ADSU Metz attended.
17 Feb 64
Four map tables were delivered to the Wing Intelligence section, which completed the initial order for equipment and facilities necessary to construct strip maps.
17 Feb 64
Visit to 1 Wing by USAF Reserve Offices. AOC's and CO's briefing and tour of base facilities.
17 Feb 64
Visit of an Italian TV team here to film sequences on the RCAF and NATO.
20 Feb 64
Courtesy visit paid CO by Mr Lauzier, Sous Prefect of the Meuse.
27 Feb 64
RAF Flying College visit.
27 Feb 64
7 Air Cent RCAF Warfare Course visited 1 Wing. Dining-in night at the Officers' Mess in their honour.
28 Feb 64
The first training strip map was delivered to 441 Sqn complete with route folder.
F/L H Jenkins, WFSO, flew the first CF-104 out of 1 Wing in February.
Month of March 1964
2 Mar 64
439 Sqn was officially re-activated on this date as a Reconnaissance/Attack Sqn equipped with CF-104 aircraft. The new role of the Squadron is aerial reconnaissance operations in conjunction with other NATO forces, against targets within SACEUR's theatre of operations as directed by Commander 4 ATAF.
2 Mar 64
Four pilots, recent graduates of the 6 STR/OTU Cold Lake, arrived at 1 Wing Marville as the nucleus of 439 Sqn. S/L Jack Frazer, recently promoted to the rank of Acting Squadron Leader, has been designated as Officer Commanding. F/L Bob Henderson, F/L Harv Roddick, and F/L Glen Willett account for the total complement of aircrew officers of 439 Sqn at this time.
3 Mar 64
First photo reconnaissance mission flown by CF-104 12854 over the Wing Headquarters Building by W/C Edwards, OC 441 Sqn. (See photograph App C).
5 Mar 64 Luxembourg Television team filmed a story on the sport of curling. F/O CB Dorlot, FServO at 1 Wing, provided commentary for this film. Retransmitted over Luxembourg TV network a few days later. 8 Mar 64 "Ministrel Man" show held at the 1 Wing Station Theatre. This musical production was sponsored by the Recreation Center and comprised talent of service and dependent memers of 1 Wing. 10 Mar 64 S/L Strouts, SAirS3, held at SATCOs Conference prior to visiting the Wings. 3 Mar 64 A/V/M CL Annis, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, arrived on RF 1389 this date and departed on Special 20, 24 Mar 64. A/V/M Annis together with the AOC and CO inspected the Lorraine Inn on 24 Mar 64. 14 Mar 64 Operation Snow Goose started on this date and ended on 23 Mar. 54 aircraft arrived and departed on this operation. Aircraft consisted of Hercules and Yukons. Forecaster service was provided around the clock and 19 Yukons and 11 Hercules aircraft were briefed to Nicosia and return to Canada. A total of 60 long range briefings. 16 Mar 64 Moselle assumed full operational capability of the Approach Control in the Marville area. 16 - 17 Mar 64 Air Traffic Control visited by DAirS3. 16 - 31 Mar 64 Specialized weather briefing procedures to suit the requirements of CF-104 flying exercises were instituted. 25 Mar 64 Wing Intelligence officers attended a conference at Air Div where the request for establishment for the Intelligence section was set at 14 airmen and four officers. A decision was made to formally request the construction of an Intelligence building and the modification of the east side of 3 hangar for the Intelligence use during the interim period. 31 Mar 64 The re-location of 109KU Flight at Marville provided a mixed traffic environment and considerably increased the number of short range transport weather briefings. 31 Mar 64 Workshops started refurbishing the Crash Guard trailer this month to provide comfortable facilities for personnel required to guard an "off the wing" crash.
31 Mar 64 Plans and specifications completed for "Eagle Trailer Park" addition to 1 Wing's "Maple Leaf Trailer Park".
31 Mar 64 All 439 Squadron pilots completed the visit check flights in T-33 aircraft and started flying pre-planned low level routes, getting used to the European environment.
Month of April 1964
1 Apr 64
Wing Instrument Flight, 1 Wing became responsible for pracice flying for HQ staff, Air Division.
1 Apr 64
Mess Dinner for 40th Arriversary RCAF - AVM Cameron from Shape was guest speaker. (See photographs App C).
1 Apr 64 109 KU Flight from 2 Wing officially TOS 1 Wing. Move completed without one scheduled flight being cancelled. 10 Apr 64 G/C Gooderham, Senior Ground Environment Officer of AMCHQ visited 1 Wing to inspect our telecom facilities and review any telecom problems that AMC could assist in solving. 10 Apr 64 Mr Hingray and Mr Machaton, French Inspectors from Longwy (MetM) visited PMQ School. 10 Apr 64 Annual Curling Club Dance. 10 Apr 64 Seven 1 Wing RCAF officers passed French language proficiency test - F/L Dupre, F/L Kitchen, F/L Stewart, F/O Dorlot, F/L Proulx, F/O Terreau, F/O Tessier. 10 Apr 64 Visit of National Defence College Course XVII. Dining-In Night at Officers Mess in their honour. 14 Apr 64 Wing Commander Edwards, F/Ls Gardiner and Coulter of 441 Sqn departed for a two-week recce course at Shaw AFB, Carolina, USA. 14 Apr 64 A civilian bus, owned by Mousset and Company of Longwy (MetM), was involved in an accident while transporting RCAF dependent children from the PMQ school to their homes on the economy. The bus traversed the road and hit a tree. The violence of the impact caused the bus to cross the road, plough through a ditch and into a field. Several children were injured, two seriously. (see news clipping at App D)
15 Apr 64 CBC Show - Salute to the 40th Anniversary of the RCAF. 20 Apr 64 Installation of new vehicle radio maintenance net was completed. This communication 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 and near runways. 22 Apr 64 A former instructor at 6STR/OTU, Cold Lake, F/L Ed Lowery, was transferred to 439 Squadron. 23 Apr 64 A for P 414-11-1 Runway Repairs was approved in the amount of $105,000 covering repairs to the drainage tile on the north side of the runway, joint repairs and repairs to spalled and cracked concrete on the runway, taxiway and taxiing and parking areas. 23-24 Apr 64 DND School principals conference at Baden-Baden. 28 Apr 64 F/O Mike Bernard, recent graduate of 6STR/OTU course was transferred to 439 Squadron. During April, S/L Frazer and F/L Roddick of 439 Sqn spent a day at Laon AFB with an American R101 Squadron observing their method of operation, and have returned with some excellent ideas as far as setting up their own training programme. F/Ls Bob Henderson and Glen Willett spent the last week in April at Shaw AFB, Carolina, attending the ground school portion of the USAF's visual reconnaissance OTU course. During April, the Crash Equipment Trailer was redesigned, repainted and re-equipped for any airfield emergency and turned over to ASO. During April the ESO at 1 Wing assumed the responsibility of the Air Division Salvage Crew from 2 Wing.
Month of May 1964
1 May 64
1 Wings OFTT was accepted and placed on MOD program.
7 - 8 May 64
The annual AOC's visit took place. It included a squadron inspection and a briefing on our training program. A simulated photo profile mission (HI LO HI) was flown by F/L Roddick of 439 Sqn, and F/L Coulter of 441 Sqn, with the AOC following the mission from target planning and selection stage through to photos being delivered. Excellent photos of Vimy Ridge Memorial and Rheims Cathedral were presented within minutes of the aircraft landing. (See photo app C) A Wing Parade was held the morning of 7 May and that evening the Officers' Mess held a Mess Dinner in the AOC's honour. (See photograph App C).
11 May 64
S/L Frazer spent the day at Laon AFB France observing this year's NATO Reconnaissance exercise named "Royal Flush".
15 May 64
F/O Mike Bernard was transferred to 3 Wing and was replaced on 439 Sqn by F/O Dave Huddleson.
19 May 64
French Language courses began. Attendance twenty daily.
27 May 64
NCO's qualifying exams, 51 candidates FS and Cpls.
29 May 64
The ECP MOD program of the OFTT was completed.
29 May 64
Rt Rev Norris (Chaplain General) made a staff visit to the Wing.
29 May 64
During May, intercom between forecast office and 441 Sqn Ops was installed and the intercom between Met Section and Tower was replaced by telephone hot line.
Month of June 1964
2 June 64
Mr J Hughes, CAE, arrived to take over the OFTT Maintenance party.
2 June 64
W/C Klassen, DAirS, and party visited the Tower and GCA.
6 June 64
439 Sqn took part in a fly past over Omaha Beach, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Normandy landings. S/L Frazer lead the section of four CF-104s which included F/L Willett, F/L Roddick and F/L Kensick. This section was part of a larger formation of eight French Mirage, eight USAF F-101s, and eight RAF Hunters. (See Photos App C).
11 - 15 June 64
All members of 439 Sqn attended the 1964 "NATO Tigers Meeting" held at Cambrai and hosted by the French Air Force. The NATO Tigers Meet is an unofficial meeting of all NATO Sqns having the tiger as the Sqn symbol. The meeting has been held for the past four years and is hosted by a different Sqn each year. Each of the Sqns bring their own aircraft and servicing personnel and participate in four days of flying competitions and informal discussions. This year's meet was attended by Sqns of the USAF, French Air Force, Belgian Air Force, German Air Force and the RAF.
12 June 64
MODS completed and Mr Wade and OFTT party departed.
15 June 64
Van Cal 3 arrived. Mr J Waring engineer in charge.
23 June 64
Group 4 examinations. 58 candidates.
26 June 64
Conclusion of first French Course. Attended by twenty students.
26 June 64
109KU participated in a "poppy drop" over Canadian Cemetaries north of Caen France as part of the "D" Day Anniversary celebrations.
6 - 7 June 64
G/C Avant represented the RCAF and AOC at the Normandy Beach Head Commemorative Ceremonies.
12 June 64
G/C Avant represented the RCAF and the AOC at Nijmegen Netherlands where services were held commemorating the Arnhem paradrop of 1944.
Month of July 1964
20 Jul 64
F/L Henderson of 439 Sqn departed for Ramstein AFB to attend USAF Air Ground Operations Course and the Forward Air Controllers Course.
21 Jul 64
F/L Huddleston of 439 Sqn experienced a bearing failure on the right main wheel of the CF-104. On touch down the wheel came off and the aircraft rapidly slewed off the runway. F/L Huddleston emerged unscratched with minor damage to the aircraft.
30 Jul 64
French Instructor returned from leave and commenced work on the teaching manual.
31 Jul 64
New caravan site completed - 116 caravans. These caravans were moved from their 2 Wing site without one incident nor damage to one trailer.
Month of August 1964
13 Aug 64
The Wing and Squadrons were inspected by General Allard, Chief of Operations of the Canadian Armed Forces. A photo trip was flown by F/L Willett and F/L Huddleston to demonstrate the Recce capability.
10 - 31 Aug 64
Cataloguing of 700 books accessioned from 2 Wing Library done by Librarian, 1 Wing.
24 Aug 64
Submission of Trade Exam order; calling in of all candidates to pick up study material begins.
Month of September 1964
7 - 14 Sep 64
F/L Willett spent the week at Ingolstadt Germany, a German Air Force Base. The purpose was to observe the Wing Tactical Evaluation of a Photo Recconaissance Sqn.
8 Sep 64
Intensified progamme of TA studies begun for Trans Tech, Rdr Tech GNA, MSE personnel. All classrooms in use to end Sep.
14 Sep 64
French classes resumed, three classes daily, four days weekly, total 30 trainees. Also Tue/Thu afternoons 1 1/2 hrs each to pilots at 441 Sqn, ten students.
15 Sep 64
Mr Rene Calmes appointed CPO 1 Wing effective 1 Aug 64.
17 Sep 64
ATC Conference at 3 Wing, attending from 1 Wing were the SATCO and 4 ATCO's.
18 Sep 64
WWO Ostrander the H/PMC was introduced at the General Mess meeting on 18 Sep by the PMC to the members and welcomed along with the numerous new members present.
24 Sep 64
FL Willett and F/L Lowery attended the Forward Air Controller course at Ramstein Germany.
Month of October 1964
14 Oct 64
Semi-Annual Trade Exams Group 1, 2 and 3.
19 Oct 64
New cycle French course, 10 morning, 10 afternoon students.
24 Oct 64
The Sgts Mess members were honoured on guest night, 24 Oct 64 by the presence of the CO, G/C Avant, accompanied by Bishop Anderson of Ottawa and S/L Parkhouse, Padre of 1 Wing. This was further enhanced by the presence of Monsieur Halleux, Prosecutor of Roi from Virton, Belgium accompanied by Monsieur Zimmerman. Commandant Verner of the French Air Force Police, Lieutenant Jausset Gendarme Nationale, Montmedy and Mr Lage District Official of Ponts et Chaussees #1 Wing.
27 Oct 64
S/L Frazer successfully ejected from a CF-104 near the city of Troyes France. The engine flamed out and would not relight after ingesting a bird. The aircraft crashed outside the city. There were no fatalities.
30 Oct 64
French courses begun for Civ Dependents. Attendance 25 basic - 2 classes. 10 advanced, all dependents. Total three classes 1 1/2 hrs per week each.
Month of November 1964
10 Nov 64
F/L Willett was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader and has been appointed Wing Tactical Evaluation Officer. On the same date, F/L Breffitt was also promoted to A/S/L.
11 Nov 64
A number of Officers and Sr NCOs were delegated to attend wreath laying ceremonies at Montmedy, Marville and Longuyon on Armistice Day 11 Nov 64.
18 Nov 64
Logistic visit 4 ATAF by the following officers:
Col. EC Evans, USAF
W/C FE Songhurst, RCAF
Lt Col CPM Socksteder, FAF
Lt Col W Konther, GAF
F/L MA MacDonald, RCAF
Arrived 1000 hrs, departed 1500 hrs 18 Nov 64.
23 Nov 64
New session French classes began for five-week period.
23 Nov 64
S/L D King from CFHQ, the Air Traffic Control Staff Officer on official visit to this unit (ATC).
Month of December 1964
15 Dec 64
The squadrons and the wing as a whole were subjected to an Air Division Walk Through TACEVAL which was passed with flying colours. The squadron will now hold a limited operational commitment starting the first of January 1965.
17 Dec 64
Xmas Party given by the RCAF 1 Wing personnel to the children of their Civilian Personnel at the Station Theatre - about 350 children attended.