Narrative Report
RCAF Station Armstrong
1 June 1963 to 31 December 1963
1 – 30 Jun 63
The first rotation of RCAF personnel completing their one year tour of duty commenced with a large number of personnel departing the unit.
13 Jun 63
General HR Thying, Sector Commander, Duluth NORAD Sector and representatives from KDAL-TV, WDSM-TV Duluth, and the Duluth News Tribune visited the unit. The purpose of the visit was to provide newspaper and TV staff with a story coverage of Canadian participation in a NORAD Sector.
20 Jun 63
The erection of a General Purpose Army Hut has been completed and will provide additional accommodation for both service and civilian personnel, in addition to providing additional recreational facilities.
24 Jun 63
A/C AC Hull, Chief of Staff, ADCHQ accompanied by W/C N Thorpe, SOPA and Mr. R McLeod of Marconi Company visited the unit.
25 Jun 63
A/V/M M Hendrick, Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command and a group of Senior Staff Officers, visited the unit. Other members of the party included: G/C Sinclair, G/C Olson, G/C Hollingsworth, G/C Powell, W/C Low, S/L Desrochers, S/L Lee, F/L Thorne.
29 Jun 63
60367 F/L MG Abbott, COpsO transferred to Station Kamloops.
1 Jul 63
236792 F/O WE Harrison, SAO, promoted to F/L.
1 – 31 Jul 63
Rotation of service personnel continued during this period. A large turnover of personnel took place during this period. Controllers who had been posted to this Unit for a three month period returned to their parent unit and the first of the controllers staff for BUIC Operation arrived. These were F/L EG Bessey appointed COpsO, F/O RW Stevens and F/O GR Murray.
14 Jul 63
18293 F/O GJ Roy, Pers./Admin., reported to the Unit and assumed the duties of PAdO as replacement for 202740 F/L EA Francis – transferred to 4 ATAF Ramstein.
20 Jul 63
36310 W/C JR Poirier, ADCHQ Chaplain (RC) visited the Unit.
22-31 Jul 63
First aid fundamental course attended by 85 station personnel.
23 Jul 63
24116 F/L M Ruzycki Tech/Tel reported to the Unit and assumed the duties of CTSO vice 32845 F/L E Myer transferred to Station Senneterre.
10 – 11 Aug 63
Station Armstrong Fastball Team won elimination series against Station Sioux Lookout entry at Station Sioux Lookout.
14 – 15 Aug 63
ADCHQ SOPA visit.
24 – 25 Aug 63
Station Armstrong Fastball Team participated in the RCAF Zone playoff finals at Winnipeg and were defeated by Station Portage La Prairie in a close series.
27 – 28 Aug 63
ADCHQ SOCE Inspection of unit heating facilities.
30 Aug 63
The Duluth Sector Commander, Brigadier General Dickman, accompanied by G/C AL Bocking and Colonel Betty, the 11th Fighter Group Commander made a brief unofficial visit to the Unit. This was the first RCAF unit ever visited by General Dickman.
31 Aug 63
Father WP Maurice, SJ officiating clergyman bade farewell to Station personnel on being transferred to another Diocese.
1 Sep 63
Unit personnel welcomes Reverend Father PJ Brown, SJ appointed Officiating Clergyman for the Unit.
6 Sep 63
20104 W/C JF Dunlop assumed command of RCAF Station Armstrong vice 27173 W/C EJ Geddes transferred to Truax AFB, USA, and the handover parade was attended by all available station personnel.
9 Sep 63
ADCHQ Evaluation Team made a familiarization visit to the Unit.
10-12 Sep 63
ADCHQ Security team composed of F/O DW Ward and FS R Chatburn visited the unit and addressed station personnel.
15 Sep 63
Construction of "Self Help" 25 yard range is commenced.
16 Sep 63
240016 F/O ERJ Cowan promoted to rank of F/L.
21 Sep 63
236792 F/O WE Harrison, Accounts, transferred from Station Summerside and assumed the duties of SAO.
23 Sep 63
ADCHQ SOAF Inspection.
27 Sep 63
44740 F/L E Chenier transferred from Station Chibougamau and assumed the duties of COpsO.
28 Sep to 2 Oct 63
29478 F/L A MacDonald, ADCHQ Chaplain (RC) preached a three day retreat.
30 Sep 63
FPS-26A equipment was operationally connected to the SAGE Centre.
2 Oct 63
The Commanding Officer attended the 30th NORAD Region Commander’s Conference at Duluth.
17 Oct 63
W/C SK Tett and F/L LS Williams of the Recreation Branch at AFHQ and ADCHQ respectively inspected the unit recreational facilities.
25 Oct 63
F/L AA Jagoe of ADCHQ Nuclear Defence Branch visited the unit and tested the Station Emergency Plan during a surprise alert.
30 Oct 63
ADCHQ SOMSE visit.
11 Nov 63
The RCAF participated with the Canadian Legion in Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Hamlet of Armstrong.
14 Nov 63
Re-organization of the unit completed and became effective that date. COpsO and CTSO positions deleted with the introduction of a CGEO position responsible for both operational and technical commitment.
18 Dec 63
A Xmas party was organized by Station personnel for the children of the nearby Indian Reserve at Gull Bay.
18 Dec 63
Cpl. JK Condon, Station MedA, was called for a medical emergency in the town of Armstrong and without any qualified medical assistance, successfully delivered a baby to a young local Indian mother.
19 Dec 63
The RCAF officially accepted the AN/FPS-27 from the American Westinghouse Company. F/O Miller acted as official representative for ADCHQ.
25 Dec 63
A Xmas party was held on the Station for 85 children of the Hamlet of Armstrong.
27 Dec 63
The Station received 150 pairs of skates donated by citizens of Toronto. These skates were distributed to local children in the surrounding areas.