Armstrong, ON

1967 – Historical Summary – National Archives of Canada


Appendix "B" to
AFAO 71.00/01

Historical Summary
CFS Armstrong
1 January 1967 to 31 December 1967

Introduction

This station was built thirteen years ago as a unit in the Pinetree Line of Radar Sites, and was manned by the United States Air Force until November 1962, at which time the RCAF officially took over. The unit then became known as 38 Radar Squadron and is presently under the command of Lt. Colonel DL Turner. On 13 Sep 67 the unit was renamed Canadian Forces Station Armstrong. CFS Armstrong is operationally responsible to the Commander, Duluth 29th Div and administratively responsible to the Commander, Air Defence Command.

Major Functions of the Unit

The role of CFS Armstrong is to collect, disseminate and transmit to Duluth SAGE Centre, radar data appearing within the units area of radar coverage; to provide services and a back-up intercept control capability.

The unit also has an Otter aircraft on strength which carries out air evacuations, when necessary, and provides bi-monthly return Medical Officer trips to CFB Winnipeg. It also has a limited Search and Rescue capability. As the role of this aircraft is diminishing, it is expected that by 1 April 68 it will be deleted from our establishment along with the pilot and crewman.

Operations

See Annex "C" Record of Activities.

Unit Training Organization and Policy

The general organization of unit training is co-ordinated by the SSTO. Specific training, as required by individual sections, is the responsibility of the section head. The SSTO gives assistance and co-operation training programmes as required.

Both formal and on the job training has been carried out during the year. In the operations area, trade advancement lectures have been given, but in the smaller sections the tradesmen are required to carry out a self-study programme under the supervision of the NCOs i/c.

The training of security guards, SAT teams and Fire Fighters was carried out throughout the year.

Administration

Personnel administration proceeded without undue hardship throughout the year. During the summer months there was a changeover of key personnel, almost entirely concentrated in the months of May, June and July, resulting in a complete change in these areas by September.

LCol. Turner DL replaced :LCol Aikens CR as CO

12 Jul 67

Lt. Baker BF replaced Lt. Shore DMA as CAdO

6 Jun 67

Lt. Goddard HR replaced Lt. Sitland RH as SLogO

16 May 67

Lt. Voysey MH replaced Lt. Hagar MW as SCEO

13 Jun 67

Captain King RE replaced Captain Garnier GW as OC Otter Flight

24 Jul 67

Lt. Ferrill RE replaced Lt. Verret JJBR as SCompt

11 Jul 67

Major Garnett MW replaced Major Heal AG as CTSO

13 Aug 67

Captain Goulin AJ replaced Lt. Liggett WL as TelMaintO

4 Sep 67

Lt. Zuck W replaced Lt. Lloyd PE as TelOpsO

16 Aug 67

Lt Noonan DA replaced Lt. Boudreau JRA as SSTO

16 Aug 67

Captain Shearer RS, the units SMO, was posted and not replaced

15 Jun 67

MWO Dryda H replaced CWO Walsh H as RadWO and SWO

7 Aug 67

A number of practice parades and CO’s parades were held during the year, weather permitting. The major parades were the CO’s handing over parade, which was called, but cancelled due to inclement weather, and a Remembrance Day Parade held on 11 Nov 67 in conjunction with the Canadian Legion in the hamlet of Armstrong.

Regular visits were made by Captain Richards Med/MO on a semi-monthly basis and by the Area Social Welfare Officer, Captain Harvey – as required. Both officers commuted from CFB Winnipeg by rail and aircraft.

Religious services were provided throughout the year by Father Hyrchenuk, later replaced by Father Bazinet; and Reverend MacIntosh both officiating clergymen. Mass is celebrated on Sundays, holidays of obligation and twice a month on Thursdays in the Station Chapel. Protestant services are held each Sunday during the summer in the Hamlet of Armstrong, and during the winter months in the Station Chapel.

Organization

Several organizational changes came about during the year, the most significant were:

a

The title of SAO was changed to SCompt in September.

b

Control of Station Accounting came under the control of the SLogO in September.

c

Management and Organization came under the control of the SCompt.

d

The Personnel Movements Section came under the control of the SLogO in February.

Official Visits and Inspections

During 1967 this unit was host to a number of senior officers from ADCHQ and Duluth NORAD Sector, as well as staff visits from various ADC HQ representatives to the operational and domestic sites of the unit. There was also visits made by Senior officers from #4 RCEO, CFB Winnipeg.

Jan 67

Two DM Auditors from Ottawa arrived at this unit to carry out the annual DM Audit.

19 Jan 67

Captain E Galee and Sgt. J Trask made a staff visit and inspection to this unit from ADC/HQ SOMSE(STSO)

15 Feb 67

Lt. RH Cole SOPOL/PERS/AFSEC/ADCHQ made a security staff visit from 15 to 17 February

16 Feb 67

Major HJ Tamowski, Assistant Div C&E and Captain GH Starks, Assistant CGEO, 29th NORAD Duluth made a staff visit.

19 Feb 67

Major LW Mould, Command Chaplain (P) made annual staff visit.

19 Feb 67

LCol. LA Perusse, ADCHQ Command Chaplain (RC) made annual staff visit.

12 Apr 67

Major McGill, ADCHQ SORM, arrived for staff visit.

12 Apr 67

Major Tamowski and Captain Starks from 29th NORAD Duluth made visit during Tac Evaluation.

18 Apr 67

Colonel McNair and LCol. Coon made annual staff visit from 29 NORAD Duluth.

25 Apr 67

MWO Hibberson from ADCHQ made an annual SSOCE Staff visit and inspection.

May 67

Visit by MATCOM specialist to investigate contamination of radar air conditioning equipment by power plant.

3 May 67

Captain W Chitra and Captain DL Woodcock and Sgt. GD Bell, EWU lecture team visited this unit to present lectures.

9 May 67

Captain Hempstad, AMCHQ, and team reported to this unit to study air contamination in electronic equipment.

5 Jun 67

Mr. L Comeau, SSOCP ADCHQ, arrived for staff visit.

13 Jun 67

Commander, ADCHQ, arrived for short visit accompanied by his Aide Captain IC Henry.

28 Jun 67

SOCE Mechanical Staff, ADCHQ, arrived to visit and inspect present condition of FPS-27 main bearing and field check bearing inspection procedure.

10 Jul 67

Lt. DA Wood, ASWelO CFB Winnipeg, visited this unit for liaison visit.

24 Jul 67

Captain Farrer, Tech/Tel CFB Winnipeg, arrived for Comm Detachment Inspection.

27 Jul 67

Captain Flegel, ADCHQ, arrived to check FPS-26A AFCAT.

30 Jul 67

T/Sgt. DD Martin and S/Sgt. SL Fox of 29 NORAD Duluth visited this unit to brief personnel on RTQC, and maintenance control procedures.

9 Aug 67

Major Riley, Regional Matron Prairie Medical Region arrived on staff liaison visit.

5 Sep 67

Captain Groom and Sgt. Dawe, MATCOM Ottawa, visited unit to brief UNTO on new type of MSE forms being introduced into the unified force.

11 Sep 67

Colonel LEC Schmidlin, Regional Engineer; Lt. Col DH Allison, Chief of Works; and Captain JTT Mitchell, Program and Projects Control Section all 4 RCEO Winnipeg arrived for cycle RCEO Visit.

12 Sep 67

Lt. Col. LA Gazley, Regional Surgeon, Prairie Medical Region, made liaison visit and inspected medical facilities.

12 Sep 67

Mr. J Murphy and Mr. R Torrance, MARCRAD, visited unit to perform mechanical inspections on FPS-6/507 and FPS-26 radars.

20 Sep 67

Lt. Col. WW Anglin, Regional Dental Officer CFB Winnipeg, arrived to inspect dental facilities.

19 Oct 67

Major Ranson, SOPA ADCHQ, made staff visit to unit.

24 Oct 67

WO J McMillen, ADCHQ, carried out armament inspection.

30 Oct 67

Lt. RW Vose and CWO GA Kekewich visited unit to initiate phase one interview of trades 171 ADTech and 231 RdrTech.

31 Oct 67

Mr. EG Nicholls, Department National Revenue – Taxation Division, from Fort William arrived to perform payroll audit.

26 Nov 67

Captain Smith, BNDO CFB Winnipeg, arrived for liaison visit regarding NBCW Defence training.

Recreation

It is unfortunate that this unit lacks a proper size recreation hall, especially during the winter months, where volleyball, basketball, floor hockey and other similar sports could be played. The winter in this area of the country is L-O-N-G and V-E-R-Y C-O-L-D and a proper sized recreation hall would be a welcome addition to this unit. Nevertheless, this unit has undertaken a varied program of sports and activities to make life more enjoyable. This program keeps us occupied and entertained when we are off duty. Participation is high in this area and the projects and activities help to bolster morale.

For summer use, the base has recently constructed a new cabin, seven miles from town at MacKenzie Lake. Several outboard motor boats, canoes, a boat dock, swimming raft and beach are available for the benefit of base personnel for fishing, boating, swimming or water-skiing. Fishing in this area is considered the best in North Western Ontario.

Hunting is another sport in which many of the base personnel participate. The surrounding area is well known for moose, bear, fox, lynx and spruce hen.

This unit has a ski-hill complete with tow and lights. This year a new ski chalet has been added. There are four ski trails with a toboggan run adjacent to the main hill. Ski equipment and toboggans are available for base personnel from the Rec. Centre.

For the curlers on this unit, there is a natural ice curling rink in the hamlet of Armstrong. Many personnel take part in this popular sport.

A new winter sport was added with the purchase of skidoos. Again this year, as in years past, the highlight of the winter season was the annual winter carnival jointly organized by base personnel and representatives from the hamlet of Armstrong. The carnival was held in the month of March and featured numerous indoor and outdoor competitions. The Chairman of the Winter Carnival Committee this year was Captain Garnier.

Shuffleboard – This is a very popular game at the unit and boards are located in the Airmen’s Institute and Sgt’s. Mess.

Arm Chair Curling – This is similar to shuffleboard, except that it is laid out in the shape and with the markings of a sheet of curling ice. The surface of the board is a plastic material which can be adjusted by the players to suit their style of delivery. All the rules that apply to regular curling apply to this game. This board was purchased by the Officer’s Mess in December and is located therein.