No. 1 Fighter Wing - Marville, France

The Sabre Era

S/L John P. Bell

Photo Source 439 Sqn Archives

In July, W/C MacKay left the Squadron to become  Chief Operations Officer at No. 4 (F) Wing, the job he had been originally slated for., and S/L J.P. Bell took over control as the new O.C.

In the same month, F/O Jerry Tremblay, the second 439 pilot to be selected for the RCAF's team in the NATO Trophy Shoot, was top man on the team as the RCAF soundly defeated all other Air Forces for the third year in a row, further establishing Canada's excellent rating for producing top notch fighter pilots.

It is at this period in time that the squadron got its mascot, FANG, a most interesting story which has already been recounted elsewhere on this site. (Click the link for more on Fang)

In the spring of 1962, No. 439 Squadron was informed by Air Division that they had been chosen as the RCAF's ACE (Allied Forces Central Europe) Mobility Squadron. This was a NATO commitment, and the Squadron was to be prepared at all times to deploy to any NATO country in Europe within 24 hours. This news was accepted with much excitement in the Squadron, but when rumors of a deployment to Greece continued on for the whole summer, enthusiasm waned quickly. The rumors were confirmed in October , and on the 4th, twenty Sabres took off for Nea Ankhialos, Greece, supported by three Bristols, two Dakotas, sixty ground crew, and five spare pilots.

 

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No. 1 Fighter Wing - Marville, France