Pinetree Line Miscellaneous

USAF Handover of Group III Radar Stations to RCAF


Construction of the Pinetree Line commenced as a joint Canadian (RCAF) and American (USAF) project in the early 50's. These radar stations were constructed and strategically located to counter the Soviet air threat against North America, and initially, they were fully manual early warning or aircraft control and warning (AC&W) systems which were established into geographical sectors.

The Pinetree Line consisted of four administrative groupings of stations by the mid 60's.

Group I sites were funded and manned by the USAF and these were located in the Northeast Air Command (64th Air Division). Some of the sites in this group included Cartwright Labrador, Frobisher Bay NWT, Goose Bay Labrador, Hopedale Labrador, Resolution Island NWT, Saglek Labrador, St. Anthony NF, St. John's (Red Cliff) NF and Stephenville NF.

Group II sites were funded by the USAF and manned by the RCAF. Some of the sites in this group included Gander NF, Moisie QC and Sydney NS.

Group III sites were other than Group I and manned by the USAF. Some of the sites in this group were located at Armstrong ON, Baldy Hughes BC, Barrington NS, Beausejour MB, Beaverlodge (Saskatoon Mountain) AB, Kamloops BC, Lowther ON, Pagwa ON, Puntzi Mountain BC, Ramore ON, and Sioux Lookout ON.

Group IV sites were funded and manned by the RCAF. Some of the sites in this group included Alsask SK, Beaverbank NS, Chibougamau QC, Cold Lake AB, Comox BC, Dana SK, Edgar ON, Falconbridge ON, Foymount ON, Gypsumville MB, Holberg BC, Lac St. Denis QC, Mont Apica QC, Moosonee ON, Parent QC, Penhold AB, Senneterre QC, St. Margarets NB, St. Sylvestre QC, Tofino BC, and Yorkton SK.

Negotiations between Canada and the USA resulted in the hand-over of all eleven Group III sites from USAF to RCAF control in the early 1960s. We have been able to obtain some documentation which is directly related to the hand-over of the Group III sites.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. USAF Handover of Group III Radar Stations to the RCAF - July 1963.

  2. Married Quarters - Group III Radar Stations - 7 June 63.

  3. RCAF Manning of Pinetree Line Radar Stations Group III Being Taken Over From USAF - January 1962.

  4. Establishments - Group III Radars - 14 December 1961.

  5. Data on Eleven Group III Radars - 14 March 1961.



Updated: March 4, 2002