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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0620.PDF
Avro Canada CF-WOs (R.C.A.F.). Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune (R.C.A.F.). Avro Lancaster M.R.I0 (R.C.A.F.). Lockheed T-33A-N Silver Star (R.C.A.F.). CanCar-built North American Harvards (R.C.A.F.). 620 FLIGHT THE WORLD'S AIR FORCES . . . quarters in Ottawa, which delegates responsibilities to commandand group headquarters across Canada. Aerial protection is the responsibility of Air Defence Command, centred on St. Hubert,outside Montreal. The early-warning and ground-control system necessitated is tremendously complex and expensive; but it isalready operating (is, in fact, nearly complete), while plans for a second early-warning chain, north of the existing one, havebeen announced. Another vital part of the air defence system is the Ground Observer Corps, directed by Air Defence Commandand with regular Force officers at certain points, though depend- ing largely upon civilian volunteer spotters or observers. Canada'sAir Defence Command works closely with that of the U.S.A.F., and the two systems are geared to act together in war. Numerousexercises have afforded training to this end. While the last home-based CF-100 squadrons have beenforming and new sections of the early-warning system have been under construction, Canada has been adding finishing touchesto its NATO force of twelve fighter squadrons in Europe—a force, be it said, which was "on location" well ahead of schedule.Under the operational control of NATO, Canada's Air Division has headquarters at Metz whence it administers the R.C.A.F.Fighter Wings, each located at a different base and each com- posed of three squadrons of Canadian-built Sabre F.5s, withAvro Canada Orenda turbojet. Maritime Air Command has headquarters at Halifax, NovaScotia, and is responsible for naval co-operation, including sub- marine detection, reconnaissance and convoy patrol. Its squadronsoperate on east and west coasts, mainly equipped with specially modified long-range Avro Lancasters. Lockheed Neptunes,however, are already coming into service and a special "M.R." version of the Bristol Britannia is on order. Maritime Air Com-mand forms a sub-component of the NATO Atlantic head- quarters at Norfolk, Virginia, and as such participates in NATOexercises involving naval and air forces over the Atlantic. Headquarters of Transport Command, the squadrons of whichoperate Canadair North Stars, Douglas Dakotas, Fairchild C-119s, Beechcraft Expediters, and other types, are at Lachine,outside Montreal. One unit, No. 426 Squadron, flew regularly on the Korean airlift from July 1950 to June 1954. Scheduled supply flights are made to Goose Bay, in Labrador, to Whitehorse, in the Yukon,and Resolute, on Cornwallis Island, hundreds of miles within the Arctic Circle. There are regular trips, too, across Canada andto the United Kingdom. Air Transport Command also handles the photographic survey programme, and though much of theactual photography is undertaken by commercial companies, one squadron still sends detachments into the field each summer tooperate over isolated parts of Canada or into the far Arctic. Tactical Air Command has headquarters at Edmonton, and itsmain task is offensive- and transport-support operations. It controls four Auxiliary light bomber squadrons, equipped withNorth American B-25s, and would be able, in time of war, to call upon additional R.C.A.F. resources, including Air TransportCommand's C-119s, designed for airborne operations and general transport duties. Because of its location the Command is furtherresponsible for search and rescue, and for certain specialized training. General training is handled by Training Command itself, withheadquarters at Trenton, Ontario. The great centres for aircrew training are Centralia, Ontario (basic pilot training); Clinton,Ont. (radio training); and Summerside, Prince Edward Island (navigation training). Expansion, and the aid promised to otherNATO nations, led to the opening of numerous additional flying schools. Thus, basic and advanced pilot training schools havebeen opened at Gimli, Man.; Claresholm, Alta.; Saskatoon, Sask.; Moose Jaw, Sask.; Penhold, Alta.; and Portage la Prairie,Man. An additional air navigation school has been established at Winnipeg and an Air Weapons School at Macdonald, Man.Other specialized flying training is given at Trenton and at Centralia, where, in addition to the basic pilot training school,there is the instrument-flying school. There are four Operational Training Units, operated by Air Defence Command (at Chatham,New Brunswick, and North Bay, Ont.); by Maritime Air Com- mand (at Greenwood, Nova Scotia); and by Air Transport Com-mand (at Trenton, Ont.). Equipment includes North American Harvards, Lockheed T-33 Silver Stars, North American B-25s,and D.H. Canada Chipmunks. Destined to play an important part in advanced training, as well as in missile development, is Bristol Freighter (R.C.A.F.). Canadair North Star (R.C.A.F.). Below, Fairchild C-119 (R.C.A.F.).
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