NARRATIVE REPORT
RCAF Station Edgar, Ontario
1 Jun 61
Operational Strength
Officers |
95 |
WO |
1 |
Senior NCOs |
5 |
Junior NCOs |
12 |
Junior NCOs (WP) |
2 |
Airmen |
39 |
Airwomen |
23 |
Total |
95 |
2 Jun 61
The AC&W Squadron has started conversion from manual to SAGE. Since this is a continuing process of technical change, only the major points will be recorded in this narrative.
7 Jun 61
26 Ladies from the Women’s Institute, Stayner, Ontario, visited the Station on a conducted tour.
10 Jun 61
22 Officers from 1 R&CS Clinton, Ontario visited Station Edgar on a conducted tour and were given a briefing.
13 Jun 61
50 Members of the Kinsmen’s Club, Barrie, Ontario were conducted on a tour of Station Edgar.
14 and 15 Jun 61
SOMSE Staff visit to Station Edgar.
19 Jun 61
The solid state power supply for the SM72 transmitter in the FPS-507 radar was installed by CGE. This was a prototype and although in general a more efficient equipment than its predecessor, it has given some trouble throughout the period of this report.
21 Jun 61
49740 F/L GS Sephton completed SAGE course at Richards-Gebaur AFS.
27 Jun 61
Mr. OB Miller and Mr. DJ Erts of the Western Electric Air Defence Evaluation Section visited the unit to discuss the peaking and testing requirements. The Chief Personnel Officer, Mr. R Silman, left Station Edgar on reassignment to a position at Station Trenton.
28 Jun 61
A meeting chaired by W/C AH Hill, ADCHQ, and attended by representatives from AFHQ, AMCHQ, SYADS and the Western Electric Company was held on site to discuss SAGE installation problems.
1 Jul 61
50787 F/O JEV Dubois arrived at Station Edgar on transfer from University of Montreal, and he took over as SCEO of the Unit on departure of 13643 F/O JL Beattie on the 10 Sep.
3 Jul 61
36912 F/L JL Cutting assumed the position of PRO at Station Edgar.
10 Jul 61
25660 S/L MBC Anderson was appointed Acting CO during the absence of 19652 W/C JH Dempster, CD, who was absent on leave for the period 10-23 Jul 61.
11 Jul 61
F/O Dove, AFHQ, and a group from DRTE carried out trials on the Cascaded Dickie Receiver on the FPS-508. The CAE calibration van arrived on site.
11 and 12 Jul 61
F/L KL Webb made a Staff Food Services visit to the unit.
17 Jul 61
WEADES peaking and testing arrived on site.
24 Jul 61
224656W F/O EM Boyce was appointed Acting CAdO for the period of absence of 30345 F/L AK Ruel from 24 Jul to 7 Aug 61.
25 Jul 61
The ECCM receivers were installed on both height finder radars. Sub-system testing of the FPS-508 and FST-2 was started.
28 Jul 61
A group of third year TechTel students visited Station Edgar.
1 Aug 61
RCAF Fire Fighter personnel were changed from Service to Civilian at Station Edgar.
3 Aug 61
The CAS visited Station Edgar.
8 Aug 61
A briefing on SAGE was given to S/L HB Hebb, ADCHQ, and the SSLO’s and their assistants from Stations Foymount, Beaverbank, St. Margarets and Mont Apica.
10 Aug 61
DRTE and DRB representatives on site for further Cascaded Dickie Receiver trials.
14 Aug 61
9961 S/L WJ Hinegger, CD, assumed command of RCAF Station Edgar vice 19652 W/C JH Dempster, CD, for the period 14-16 Aug 61.
25 Aug 61
This unit began to transmit search radar and SIF data to the Syracuse Sector.
27 Aug 61
49740 F/L CS Sephton Tech/Tel was transferred to ADCHQ.
1 Sep 61
226522 S/L DA Reid, CD, assumed the duties of CTSO vice 9961 S/L WJ Honnegger, CD. 52661 F/O HF Doucet Tech/Tel arrived on transfer from RCAF Station Clinton. Beginning at this time officers and other ranks in the operations branch were gradually transferred. 25660 S/L MBC Anderson, COpsO transferred to Station Beausejour and the duties of COpsO were taken over by 35298 F/L IF Campbell. The station continued to maintain watches and offered a limited manual capability to the Ottawa Sector.
6 Sep 61
226522 S/L DA Reid, CD, assumed command of RCAF Station Edgar vice 19652 W/C JH Dempster, during his absence on TD for the period 6-9 Sep 61.
10 Sep 61
13643 D/O JL Beattie was transferred to ADCHQ.
11 Sep 61
The plans for the reorganization of the station under SAGE were completed and forwarded to ADCHQ.
12 Sep 61
Effective this date, the command and supervisory positions within the SAGE element of the Station are as follows:
Chief Telecommunications Officer |
S/L DA Reid |
SAGE Operational (Tel) Officer |
F/O D Battye |
SAGE Electronic Officer |
F/O HF Doucet |
Radar Warrant Office |
WO1 W Stott |
Communications Warrant Officer |
WO2 W Fenemore |
14 Sep 61
The Deputy Director DND/IS, members of his staff and W/C Chernobwy, AMCHQ, visited the site for briefing and indoctrination.
15 Sep 61
The WEADES team arrived on site for peaking and testing the GATR equipment.
18-19 Sep 61
There was a SOPA inspection of the Recreational activities on the station.
20 Sep 61
A group of veterans from Barrie and Simcoe County were given an unclassified briefing and conducted tour of the unit.
20-22 Sep 61
An administrative M&I inspection was conducted at the unit during this period.
26-27 Sep 61
CTelO attended the CTSO/COpsO Conference at ATCHQ.
3 Oct 61
A civilian competition was held at Station Edgar for the position of CPO, Clerk 4, to replace Mr. R Silman.
5 Oct 61
Flight tests for the height finder radars were completed.
7 Oct 61
The peaking and testing of GATR equipment was completed.
13 Oct 61
Manual operations at 31 Radar Squadron ceased. Full data being fed to the Syracuse NORAD Sector although the site is not yet officially a unit of this sector.
14 Oct 61
The station is now officially known as 31 Radar Squadron vice 31 AC&W Squadron, with the accompanying change in the role and responsibility. The role of 31 Radar Squadron is to:
Effective this date there were also organizational changes in the responsibilities of the various sections within the Unit, in order to make the command compatible with the new establishment and the role. Attached as Appendix "A" is an outline of the current "Chain of Command", with Section Head responsibilities.
15-16 Oct 61
The Unit participated fully as a SAGE Squadron in NORAD Exercise Sky Shield II.
17 Oct 61
Representatives from ADCHQ and AMCHQ were on site for a meeting to complete the AFTO-87 – Acceptance Forms. Since the WEADES completion report had not been processed through Syracuse Sector and as spares were not completed, this unit would not agree to the completion of the AFTO-87. A meeting is scheduled in January 1962.
23 Oct 61
F/L Shubaly, CTelO/AFHQ and a group from DRB carried out trials of ECCM equipment on the FPS-508. 52661 F/O HF Doucet went to ADCHQ for EWO course.
25 Oct 61
S/L E Lee, ADCHQ visited the Unit. All ADCOM circuits were cleared from the microscatter equipment.
26 Oct 61
Major J Phelan, USAF, VCAS/COR, AFHQ, visited this site.
30 Oct 61
The microscatter mobile equipment was sent to Station Falconbridge.
1 Nov 61
31 Radar Squadron came under the operational control of Syracuse NORAD Sector on this date. 18848 FS MV Shea, CD, SupTech 3, was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer with Permanent Commission in Supply.
1-3 Nov 61
52708 F/O D Battye Tech/Tel, visited Syracuse Sector to see a Big Blast exercise and for familiarization with EW operations at Sector.
14 Nov 61
Overhaul of FPS-508 radar was started.
16 Nov 61
52661 F/O HF Doucet returned from EWO course. The second competition was held at Station Edgar for the now vacant position of CPO, Clerk 4. Mrs. MacWilliams from RCAF Station Aylmer was the successful candidate and will report to Station Edgar as CPO.
18 Nov 61
The Unit participated in regional exercise Sioux Opal.
20 Nov 61
S/L C Brunger ADCHQ visited this site.
21-24 Nov 61
The Unit was off the air for overhaul.
24 Nov 61
Colonel E Herbes, Commander SYADS, LtCol V McQueen, Director C&E, and S/L CJ Ruston, Deputy Director C&E, Syracuse Sector, visited the site and attended an Officer’s Mess Dinner.
28 Nov 61
F/Ls Rutherford and Machen ADCHQ visited the unit to discuss statistical returns and SAGE integration.
29 Nov 61
Unit took part in Mode III exercise with Niagara-Buffalo NCC.
30 Nov 61
Operational Strength
Officers |
Nil |
Sgts. |
2 |
Cpls. |
5 |
LACs |
14 |
Total |
21 |
Submitted by:
(JH Dempster) W/C
CO RCAF Station Edgar
Att Appendix "A" –
Organizational Chart