Wilkinson, Blair: my Canadian Maritime Air Support experiences (March 14, 2014)

Rank: Captain.

Interviewee: Wilkinson, Blair

An interview/narrative of Captain Blair Wilkinson's experiences whilst serving with Canadian Maritime Air Support. Interview took place on March 14, 2014.

Interviewer: Jezierski, Janel

ABSTRACT: Narrator: Wilkinson, Blair Title: The Value of Oral History Explored Through Canadian Maritime Air Support, 1941-1994 Interviewer: Interviewed by Janel Jezierski Extent 1 sound recording (MP3 or list other format) file length: 46:41 :50, file size: 545,382.4 (kB) Interview Date and Location 14 March 2014, Victoria BC. Synopsis: The interview begins with a brief exploration of Captain Wilkinson's background before joining the Canadian Air Force in 1957 at age 21. Next, he describes his disappointment at being chosen as an observer/navigator and the training that ensued. Next he describes how he went from being a radio officer to receiving his wings and training for the Maritime Air Command OUT (Operational Training Unit) in Summerside, P.E.I. Captain Wilkinson then explains the submarine tracking that was a major component of his job for the next ten years. Next he describes his first position as a radio officer for #407 squadron in Comox where he instructed at the Maritime OTU, followed by Maritime Warfare School in Halifax. He includes a description of a trip to Hawaii in 1960 where he trained with the US Navy to help them get used to being shadowed by aircraft. Captain Wilkinson then summarizes his experience in Maritime Air Command and explains why he chose to join Search and Rescue. The narrative then goes to Captain Wilkinson's experience in Search and Rescue, and compares working in P.E.I to working in Comox. At 19:25:00 he describes his longest Search and Rescue Mission during a heavy storm on the West Coast, a mission that is featured in 'Sixty Years.' The narrative returns briefly to his Maritime Air Command Years, this time discussing international affairs such as JAS (Joint Anti-Submarine). Next Captain Wilkinson elaborates on his experience in Search and Rescue, then goes on to talk about the Unification of the Canadian Forces, its impact, and the different structures of the navy, army and air force. He then discusses the recognition Search and Rescue received in the media. Finally, Captain Wilkinson summarizes his experience in the forces, briefly touching his most 'war-like' experience under the threat of the Cuban Missile Crisis. 0:00- 4:00: Background, enlistment and training 4:00 - 7:44: Submarine Tracking process in Maritime Air Command 7:44 - 15:44: Maritime Air Command in Comox (aircraft improvements, training, submarine tracking) 15:44 - 26:48: Search and Rescue, Maritime Air Command Internationally, Goose Bay, retirement 26:44 - 46:18: Summary of experience (after retirement, value on military exposure, differences in jobs), impact of experience, Cuban Missile Crisis, conclusion Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 4:00 - 7:44: Submarine Tracking 18:42- 21:52: Search and Rescue on West Coast Canada Subject Key Words Maritime Air Command; Observation; Navigation; Canadian Air Force, training in; Submarine Tracking; 407Squadron; Comox; MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector); SOSUS (Sound Surveillance System); JAS (Joint-Anti Submarine); Search and Rescue; Canadian Air Force, Training; Canadian Navy/ Canadian Air Force, relationship; Cuban Missile Crisis, submarine chasing.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Jezierski, Janel
• Wilkinson, Blair

Subject

• Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
• Military history
• Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
• Sea control
• United States. Navy

Language

• eng

Date created

• March 14, 2014

Relation

• Title of paper: "The Value of Oral History Explored Through Canadian Maritime Air Support, 1941-1994".
• Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 1 sound recording (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• British Columbia--Victoria

Coordinates

• 48.4359, -123.35155

Additional physical characteristics

• Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• interviews
• sound recordings
• reminiscences
• oral histories (literary genre)

Archival item identifier

• WB_807

Fonds title

• Military oral history collection

Fonds identifier

• SC141

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection

Date digitized

• March 14, 2014

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2014. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

Rights

• This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca

DOI

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/xtaj-mm07

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