Historical Narrative
RCAF Station Falconbridge
1 Dec 59 to 31 May 60
1 – 7 Dec 59
This unit participated actively in the Sudbury District United Welfare Campaign. A total of $368.20 was collected amongst the station personnel, this amount showing a considerable increase over previous years’ collections – F/L CW Gordon acted as campaign manager.
8 Dec 59
W/C WM Garton, CO visited three dairies in the Sudbury area in company with F/L Simpson, CAdO, F/O Bouthillier, Nursing Sister and F/L Dandurand, RCASC, North Bay Det. The purpose of these visits – next dairy contract.
10 Dec 59
Today RCAF Station Falconbridge played host to Mayor J. Allan Johnston and thirteen other dignitaries from the City of London, Ontario. Brig.-Gen. FA Clift, Commander RCA, Western Ontario Area and Mr. A Goring of Sudbury were also in attendance. This visit was arranged in co-ordination with 2420 AC&W Squadron (Auxiliary) London as a finale to their participation in the 35th Anniversary of the RCAF – Tour of the Townsite and Ops Bldg – Guests of Officers’ Mess for lunch.
11 Dec 59
Visit of NORAD personnel for cross training purposes – Officers and other ranks from USAF with W/C Murray of ADC in attendance.
21 Dec 59
Children’s Christmas Party and DND School Children’s Concert held on the station. Santa Claus in attendance – distribution of gifts to every young guest – party organized by Station Town Council.
22 Dec 59
Sgts. Mess organized a Christmas party for orphan children of D’Youville Home, Sudbury – Reception held in Sgts.’ Mess and gifts distributed to all children.
25 Dec 59
The Sr. NCOs were entertained in the Officers’ Mess from 1100 hours to 1200 hours, then a party of officers and Sr. NCOs paraded to the Airmen’s Dining Room, led by the Commanding Officer. Approximately eighty airmen and airwomen were served Christmas dinner by the Officers and Sr. NCOs. W/C Garton exchanged jackets with LAC Vienneau, the youngest airman present. A good time was enjoyed by all.
1 Jan 60
The Sr. NCOs entertained the officers in the traditional manner. The Airmen’s New Year’s Dinner was served by the CO, assisted by officers and Sr. NCOs. The usual New Year’s levee was held in the Officers’ Mess and members of this mess visited the 58th LAA Regt RCA and 33rd Tech Squadron RCEME, Militia Officers’ Messes in Sudbury.
3 Jan 60
Accident – DND Vehicle 610-B5 at Station Fire Hall.
6 Jan 60
The new position of Control Standards was created. F/L EJ Ewasick was appointed as CStandsO.
9 Jan 60
The Station Intelligence Officer (SIO) F/O AR Barnett, AS/FtrC, was transferred. The duties of SIO were assumed by F/L JB Hubbard, Air/Obs.
11 Jan 60
F/L KD Munro, Air/Obs, passed the Joint Services Missile Indoctrination Course at RCAF Station Clinton. Wings presentation to WO1 Skuro and WO2 Denny of 200 Sudbury Air Cadet Squadron. W/C Garton, CO, RCAF Station Falconbridge, parent unit of RCAC Squadron Sudbury, made the presentation and inspected the squadron.
12 Jan 60
F/L JA MacGregor was appointed Duty Operations Officer, Crew 2, vice F/L GW Campbell transferred to Mont Apica.
19 Jan 60
F/L V Wuorinen was appointed Duty Operations Officer, Crew 1, vice F/L FM Skeaff transferred to Station Cold Lake.
21 Jan 60
F/O GE Edge was appointed Liaison Officer for 432 Wing RCAFA, Sault Ste. Marie.
29 Jan 60
LAC Culley was the winner of Phase I, Unit Badge Competition – Selection of Motto. The motto suggested by LAC Culley and selected as the most suitable by the judges is "CAVE FALCONIS CALCARI" – LAC Culley was presented with the $20.00 prize. Visit of A/V/M IC Cornblatt, Comptroller, AFHQ. Tour of Domestic area and Ops Bldg – Guest speaker at an Officers’ Mess Dinner held this evening. The following exercises were participated in by Operations:
18 Jan |
EWU |
21 Jan |
Think Ahead |
22 Jan |
Cueball |
26 Jan |
Catseye 14 |
26 Jan |
EWU Boneyard 3 |
28 Jan |
Counterpunch RCC |
4 Feb 60
Overhaul of FPS-6
8 – 11 Feb 60
The ADC AC&W Visiting Team was on this unit for a three day period. The team gave a briefing on the SIF equipment which will be put in use in the near future and carried out a complete evaluation check of all phases of the AC&W procedures at this unit.
7 - 29 Feb 60
F/L PV Brodeur, COpsO, on TD to COC, St. Hubert – F/L Wuorinen held the position of Acting COpsO over this period.
22 Feb 60
This unit held a parade to celebrate the birth of the Royal Child – The Royal Salute was given, then all personnel proceeded to their respective messes to toast the new prince. The engine of DND Vehicle 103A30 found unserviceable.
23 Feb 60
Father and Son Banquet held in the Sgts. Mess Dragon room. This party was organized by the Cubs and Scouts Association of this unit.
25 – 26 Feb 60
Safe Driving Clinic organized on the station for the benefit of all personnel. Sgt. Archie Stewart of the Sudbury Police was the instructor in charge.
27 Feb 60
MSE Workshop did an overhaul of DND Vehicle 103A30 – engine replaced.
29 Feb 60
The position of Surveillance Standards was created. F/O AJ Brown was appointed to the position of SStandsO. During the month of Feb, a S&R exercise to Parkin Lake, 40 miles north of Sudbury was carried out. Training consisted of winter camping, cooking, ice fishing and area familiarization. Operations participated in the following exercises during the month of February:
1 Feb |
Counterpunch RCC |
15 Feb |
Counterpunch RCC |
15 Feb |
Boneyard 3 |
23 Feb |
Counterpunch |
25 Feb |
Catseye 15 |
29 Feb |
Counterpunch |
2 Mar 60
Mr. EWJ Kendall and Mr. KB Taylor of the Trans Canada Telephone, SAGE Consultant group, arrived to investigate SAGE Telecommunications requirements.
8 Mar 60
Overhaul of springs, brakes and steering of DND Vehicle 445B20 made by MSE Workshop.
14 Mar 60
DND Vehicle 109A30 involved in accident in Sudbury. S/L Brodeur, COpsO was guest speaker at a Kiwanis Club Dinner held at Sudbury.
18 Mar 60
The NORA Championship for Hockey and Badminton were held at this unit. Three other stations sent representatives – Foymount, North Bay and Edgar. Station Falconbridge winner of both competitions.
28 Mar 60
Lt. Col. John C Peck, USAF from Lockbourne AFB visited Operations. The visit was in conjunction with a scheduled but postponed exercise. The organization of Operations was changed making the DOpsO of each crew and the Ops 1 directly responsible to the COpsO, vice the DOpsO being responsible to Ops 1. The CStandsO, SStandsO and TrainO became responsible to the Ops 1 instead of individually responsible to the COpsO. During March, a S&R exercise was carried out at Solace Lake, 50 miles North of Sudbury. Twenty personnel were involved. Training included snow shoeing, compass reading, cooking, fishing, bush navigation and winter camping techniques. W/C Garton participated. Operations participated in the following exercises:
7 Mar |
Counterpunch RCC |
8 Mar |
Counterpunch |
10 Mar |
Coldwind |
10 Mar |
Think Ahead |
14 Mar |
Counterpunch RCC |
15 Mar |
EWU Boneyard 1 |
21 Mar |
Catseye |
22 Mar |
Catseye 16 |
28 Mar |
Boneyard 2 |
6 Apr 60
DND Vehicle 584B45 involved in an accident in MSE Section. Clutch found unserviceable on DND Vehicle 57H76. Overhaul of 57H76 – replaced clutch and flywheel.
5 – 9 Apr 60
W/C WM Garton, CO, on TD to ADCHQ for annual ADC COs’ conference. S/L BHC Spicer was Acting CO over this period.
19 Apr 60
A dozen couple of this unit participated in the TV Programme "House Party", presented by CKSO-TV, Sudbury. This unit played host to 200 Young Girls of the Northern Ontario Anglican Church Women’s Auxiliary. The visit consisted of a tour of the Townsite area and free use of the Station’s Sports facilities – swimming pool, bowling alleys, gymnasium.
21 – 26 Apr 60
Operations was shut down except for FPS-3 Operations. Identification and Lateral Tell responsibility during the installation of the FPS-508. FPS-6 was moved to first floor of Ops Bldg.
18 - 22 Apr 60
The Message Centre was moved to new location – Room 410, Ops Bldg.
22 Apr 60
Visit of RCAC Squadron of Blind River. The cadets were guests of Station Falconbridge for lunch and then proceeded to Sudbury Airport for a familiarization flight.
23 Apr 60
F/O TE Armstrong was appointed SIO vice F/L JB Hubbard who was transferred to Station Mont Apica.
26 Apr 60
W/C Garton, CO, gave a briefing to all officers on items of interests discussed at the ADC CO’s conference. Also included in the briefing were the new policy on rank structure requirements in the manning of NORAD and the incidents in violation of DOT/DND Agreement. F/O Jerry Edge from this unit, newly appointed liaison officer, was guest speaker and installed the new slate of officers at the RCAFA 432 Wing, Sault Ste. Marie.
29 Apr 60
The Operations and Admin Sections held a conference with 2420 AC&W Squadron (Auxiliary) London and 2451 AC&W Squadron (Auxiliary) Windsor regarding Summer Camp and Week-end Training. S/L PV Brodeur, COpsO, acted as Chairman.
30 Apr 60
RCAF Station Falconbridge won the NORA Trophy at RCAF Station Edgar. They placed first in hockey, badminton, men’s basketball and ladies volleyball. During April, S&R exercised in the Parkin Lake area. Four persons were involved. Shelter building, cooking, area familiarization and general survival constituted part of the training. Operations participated in the following exercise:
6 Apr |
Counterpunch |
13 Apr |
Cold Wind |
19 Apr |
EWU Boneyard 12 |
20 Apr |
EWU Boneyard 2 |
27 Apr |
Catseye 17 |
2 May 60
Visit of Mr. Don Gillis, president and members of the Falconbridge Local Mine Workers. Tour of Domestic area.
3 May 60
AMC representative, F/O Proctor, accepted the FPS-508 Search Radar from the contractor. The equipment is now operational.
5 May 60
F/L KD Munro was appointed SARO vice F/O AJ Brown who was transferred to a USAF Base.
6 May 60
LAW Charles, FtrCop 1 won the Unit Badge Competition – Phase II (Design) - She was presented with the $30.00 prize.
13 May 60
F/O MA Colbert was appointed Chairman of the Fire Sub-Committee (Ops Bldg) vice F/O A Munkacsi who was transferred to a USAF Base. F/L GG Holmes appointed CStandsO vice F/L EJ Ewasick transferred to a USAF Base. F/L CW Gordon appointed SStandsO vice F/O AJ Brown transferred to a USAF Base.
14 May 60
Visit of the members of Sudbury Engineering Technicians Chamber and Air Cadet Officers from Sudbury, Blind River, Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa Squadrons. Tour of Domestic Site and Ops Building. The Air Cadet Officers stayed overnight and attended an Air Cadet Conference held on the station the next day.
20 May 60
Annual ADC Staff Visit – A/C Harvey, CStaffO, and G/C Grant, STSO, inspected the station facilities after attending a briefing given by the CO and COpsO. During the evening, A/C Harvey was guest speaker at an Officers’ Mess Dinner.
23 May 60
A flight of approximately forty personnel from this unit participated in a Victoria Day parade held at Capreol. The salute was taken by W/C Garton, Commanding Officer.
27 May 60
The annual Military Ball was held in Sudbury Legion Hall. W/C and Mrs. Garton and members of the Officers’ Mess and their wives attending the ball and two sets of four couple each participated in the "Lancers". During the month of May, three officers and ten other ranks from Ops were transferred to USAF Bases for special training in SAGE equipment. F/L KD Munro – Obs/Al was selected to represent this unit at the Inter-Squadron Rocket Meet to be held at Cold Lake from 30 May to 3 Jun. F/L Munro will participate in the capacity of AS/FtrC. Operations participated in the following exercises:
5 May |
Big Blast Straw Boss |
9 May |
Counterpunch RCC |
13 May |
White Lighting |
(WM Garton) W/C,
CO RCAF Station Falconbridge.