Memories of Elliston Ridge
I arrived at the Elliston Ridge Gap Filler radar station in August 1957. I was an Airman 3rd Class at that time and was trained as a Radar Operator - sometimes referred to as a "Scope Dope".
Prior to my arrival at Elliston Ridge I had been stationed at the Red Cliff AC&W Squadron which was located near St. John’s Newfoundland. I actually volunteered to go to Elliston Ridge - all part of a master plan to shorten my tour in a "no skiing area". I had left St. John’s on the overnight train (the Newfie Bullet) which took me to Bonavista and I then proceeded to Elliston Ridge.
I was employed in the radar operations area as a Radar Operator during my tour at the Gap Filler. I do not recall what equipment we were using although it was search only with only one scope and only one corridor of surveillance (we were a gap filler) There was very little traffic that was not already being tracked by Red Cliff. There was an occasional unknown track that required our attention but that too soon became apparent to Breadcorn. (You know, till I read that call sign on the Red Cliff page, I had not heard that call sign in forty years! Do you know the call sign for Elliston? I do not remember.) We probably handled 10-30 tracks per 24 hour day, all of which were initially unknowns until they were identified. We may have scrambled on only 3 or 4 all the time I was there, but that is a guess.
There were usually 12 USAF personnel on strength. This group consisted of the Commander, one NCO, 1 Radar Technician, 2 Cooks and seven Radar Operators. The radar operators manned the search radar 24 hours a day. As I recall, there were three radar operators who worked a 24 hour day – working a series of four hours on and eight hours off to ensure 24 hour manning of the gap filler site. It was quite easy to catch some sleep on the hours that you were not manning the radar scopes, as our rooms were very close by to the Operations area. We were not allowed very far off-site while on shift although we could go to town if we had enough available time. We also employed three or four civilians - and this group ran the diesel power generators. There was only two adjoining buildings at Elliston (perhaps some out buildings). All facilities (including the generators) were located in the main building. The operations building was attached to the main building. Recreation (and sanity) were the only reasons to leave the building.
Its funny who is remembered. The CO was Captain Evans, the NCO i/c was Sgt. Fraunfelker. I recall an A1C Greer who was a Radar Technician. I also recall A2C Bill Lawrence and A2C "Thorny" Thornberg.
The food was usually quite good. We had cook who had been a chef for a general at one time. We partied some with an occasional blitz, but I don't think that it was ever considered to be a problem. Most of our entertainment was created on our own - usually, in town. There were no USO shows available and there was only one movie that I remember. Mail in and out was slower because it first went to Pepperrell AFB, and then to Elliston via the Newfie Bullet, but it was not too bad.
There were very little recreational facilities on the site. We were left to our own devices. I developed a small hand laundry for washing an pressing uniforms. When not in town, decorated our rooms, fiddled with antennae to try to get Stateside radio stations, read magazines, slept. Went into Bonavista at every opportunity. The 4 by 4 covered truck went to town almost every night. We could also ride in with any vehicle going to town, including the Captain's jeep, provided that we were off duty. We hung out with the locals at a variety of local establishments both in Bonavista and Catalina and went to a couple of church dances and suppers.
I remember going out into the North Atlantic with an old fisherman to help out because his son was ill. Fishing and cleaning cod was the toughest thing that I have ever done in my life, but I treasure that experience. I remember returning to the Ridge and forced to strip outdoors because I smelled so bad!
I met a young lady from Catalina and her RCMP finance. I remember being invited to a Sunday dinner at her Grandfather's house. He was a retired Captain/fisherman. On their dining room wall was a life preserver from the Titanic. He had gone out to help. The Newfoundland people were very warm and genuine, with a great sense of pride. I enjoyed their company
I remained in Newfoundland for my entire tour of duty, although I did go back to Red Cliff and Torbay for possible emergency leave back to the States. My Dad had another heart attack. Fortunately my trip was not required, and I returned to Elliston Ridge.
I remember dark, bitter cold, and snow in the winter; dark, cold and rain in the early spring; cool and usually sunny in the summer; windy all the time. The Bonavista area always seemed a bleak place, but beautiful in its own way.
On the bright side - well, I got my second stripe at Elliston. I eventually departed the Elliston Ridge Gap Filler in August 1958 and headed back to the States - 3625th TECHTRAGRU (WPNSCON), Tyndall AFB, FL via Red Cliff.
From Mike Dougherty
3358 Plantation Place
Sarasota, FL 34231-8539
mdoughe900@aol.com