NARRATIVE REPORT
RCAF STATION GYPSUMVILLE, MAN
1 Jan 64 to 31 Dec 64
3 Jan 64
The FPS-27 equipment was flight tested in conjunction with Beausejour and Findlay AFB.
7 Jan 64
FPS-26 and FPS-507 flight tests were made this date.
8 Jan 64
Boneyard 9, a C119 ECM aircraft made an ECM run against the unit.
9 Jan 64
Mr. Guttormson, Member of Manitoba Government for local area, visited with the CO and had lunch with the NCOs. (Mr. Stevens) Party of 3 with Guttormson.
11 Jan 64
Very cold morning - 47 homes (PMQs) froze up.
14 Jan 64
Further flight tests were made on the FPS-507 and FPS-26.
16 Jan 64
Boneyard 9 flew another ECM demonstration run.
17 Jan 64
Mr. Ray Pfeiffer, Western Electric Company, on site for SAGE testing, left this day.
20 Jan 64
AN/FST-2 technical training course commenced. A GLA-8 course was in its second week.
21 Jan 64
Mr. Howard Arp and Mr. Rodney Melhwich, Westinghouse personnel, arrived to do the ECP400 modification on the FPS-27.
22 Jan 64
The FPS-27 was flight tested in conjunction with Sioux Lookout and Beausejour. This portion of the test was passed.
23 Jan 64
Station became operational at 1400 hours. Mr. Michael Perzel, RCA, arrived to modify the GKA-5 (GATR Site). The FPS-27, FPS-26, FPS-507, and FST-2 equipments became operational at 1940Z hours this date.
24 Jan 64
Mr. Roger Stoner, AVCO representative departed from the site.
25 Jan 64
Mr. Martin Cook, Western Electric representative on site for SAGE testing, departed.
28 Jan 64
First birthday - 28 dignitaries attended including Mr. Guttormson MLA and Mr. Stefanson MP. This day marked the first birthday of the opening of the station. A visit to the site by local residents was arranged by W/C Murray to mark the occasion.
29 Jan 64
Mr. George Sbintani from AMC arrived for the signing of the AFTO 89 on the AN/FST-2. The CO, CGEO and Mr. Sbintani signed the document.
1 Feb 64
F/L Sephton arrived from ADC for a pre-OCI evaluation visit.
10 Feb 64
A sky-line graph of the surrounding horizon, taken from the cat-walk of the FPS-27 was completed.
12 Feb 64
Mr. M Perzel, RCA, completed the GKA-5 modification and departed for Dana.
13 Feb 64
A "Big Blast" exercise was carried out this evening.
14 Feb 64
Mr. Don Shand and Mr. Bob Silvis, of Westinghouse Electric, who have been on site for some months, departed this date.
9 Mar 64
Mr. Ian Camfield and Mr. Mike Peet, Canadian Westinghouse representatives employed at ADC, arrived on site to assess out FPS-27 training programme. Departed 10 March 64.
12 Mar 64
WO1 Campbell arrived to conduct turbine test in the Power Plant (10 day test), to determine the combustion qualities of JP4.
13 Mar 64
Mr. Dark, Orenda Corporation arrived to assist WO1 Campbell.
14 Mar 64
F/L Albrough arrived unexpectedly to observe the turbine testing.
15 Mar 64
S/L E Lee and F/O RI Sibbert arrived on site from ADC to carry out the OCI (Technical and Operational System Evaluation).
31 Mar 64
TA formal lectures commenced at 0830 hours. This formal training prior to trade board will last two weeks.
4 Apr 64
SOCE Inspection for 4 days comprised of 8 men with S/L McConnell in charge.
7 Apr 64
WEEP (Electronic evaluation) meeting held in STelO office.
10 Apr 64
Section formal trade advancement lectures completed.
14 Apr 64
Airmen’s Trade Board Examinations were held in the Recreation hall.
18 Apr 64
A Station Dance was held to commemorate the 40th Birthday of the RCAF.
24 Apr 64
Heavy rain exposed serious leaks in the FPS-27 Tower roof.
27 Apr 64
Sgt. Laycock and LAC Ryan (M&W Techs) arrived from Cold Lake for a 3 day inspection of this unit. Mr. Walter Chadde and Mr. Ray Pfiffer, Western Electric representatives arrived on site to conduct equipment tests.
6 May 64
F/L AC Stevenson and F/O DG Hemstead arrived on TD from AMC to discuss maintenance and logistics problems.
7 May 64
Snow blowers installed in waste heat boilers in an attempt to increase steam output. Unsuccessful.
11 May 64
F/O D’Ectremont and FS Williston departed on TD to attend the FPS-27 symposium at AMC.
12 May 64
F/L Meindl AS/NDef arrived from Winnipeg for a one day visit.
14 May 64
Mr. Walter Chadde, Western Electric Company, departed, having completed and tested modification to the FPS-27 AJ equipment.
16 May 64
Mr. FY Tucker arrived to complete the AFTO 89A for the GATR Site.
19 May 64
A CGE team under Mr. Frank Bowslaugh arrived to carry out modifications TCTO 542 and 528 on the FPS-26.
20 May 64
F/L Hodgson (DMCC) TOS.
22 May 64
An RCA Victor Company team, Mr. K Johnson, Mr. W Bushey, Mr. W Holdship and Mr. W Black arrived to work on the GATR site antenna farm.
26 May 64
Dependent wives were given a conducted tour of the Operations and GATR sites.
27 May 64
Junior and Senior NCO QE exams were convened.
28 May 64
W/C Anderson, CO of RCAF Station Beausejour, F/L Chrisholm, Sgt. Atkinson and Sgt. Murphy visited the site.
1 Jun 64
Cpl. Hayden and LAC Dunsmore from Station Winnipeg conducted a one week nuclear defence course at this unit.
2 Jun 64
F/L C Hodgson reported on transfer from Centralia to fill SCOO position.
3 Jun 64
F/L Williams (ADCHQ) and Mr. Stangroom (AFHQ) arrived for a two day community council visit.
8 Jun 64
F/L D Law and F/O G Keil from ADC to conduct ECM lectures, and departed the same day.
9 Jun 64
A station crest was selected from various entries in the contest. Mr. T Mason was the winner.
10 Jun 64
Surgeon General Commodore Elliot, G/C Wade and Colonel Barr arrived for a medical inspection. Also F/L Young (ADCHQ) visited the SCOO with reference to BUIC.
11 Jun 64
All Officers attended an informal dinner with the visiting medical dignitaries.
15 Jun 64
ESF training - 14 people attended. Mr. Little, (ADCHQ) arrived to visit the CPO (15, 16, 17 June). Calibration Van (Test Equipment) arrived on site.
16 Jun 64
Calibration Van personnel: Mr. RC Swain, Mr. RE Johnson, Mr. C Turmel, Mr. C Aston, Mr. J Wylie and Mr. A McLaughlan arrived. F/L JDW Hunter TOS as SMO.
23 Jun 64
Mr. GW Troy (CAE) reported in to replace Mr. Swain as team leader for the Calibration Van. Group 4 exams held. F/O J Blasko TOS as SCEO.
25 Jun 64
AsWelO visit. Nursing Sister Seymour and Nursing Sister Combon - medical visit.
28 Jun 64
S/L Duffy returned to this station.
30 Jun 64
Mr. GH Giles arrived from AMC to work on AFTO89As for AN/FPS-27, AN/FPS-26A and AN/FPS-507.
5 Jul 64
F/O R Burns returned this date from Tech Tel course in Centralia, Ont.
7 Jul 64
Training Exercise Saux Dance X.
13 Jul 64
Mr. Bernie MacDonald arrived from ANC to discuss GPA-501 installation. Mr. Cliff Rose also arrived this date to do hydraulic pressure reduction tests on the FPS-26A Antenna system.
14 Jul 64
Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Rose departed.
15 Jul 64
FPS-27 roof repairs completed.
16 Jul 64
Radome painting started by Unitech Company representatives Mr. Pushman and Mr. Herbert.
22 Jul 64
Training Exercise Winnebago Feather IV.
25 Jul 64
Mr. Ted Zubeck, CGE Company, arrived and departed. Purpose of visit to inspect unit modifications to FPS-26A waveguide support system.
29 Jul 64
Mr. D Cameron, AMCHQ, and Mr. L Lowery, Westinghouse representative from AMCHQ, arrived to study and discuss FPS-27 PM cards and spares.
6 Aug 64
Mr. Joseph McCarthy, CGE Company, arrived to work on the AN/FPS-507 launching section.
17 Aug 64
F/L Barker returned from posting at 437 T Squadron and assumed duties of CAdO. DM Audit arrived this unit for a two week period.
18 Aug 64
ADC/SOMSE F/L Bourbari Inspection.
21 Aug 64
Training Exercise - Top Rung. Pickeral Catch I, security force exercise.
26 Aug 64
G/C McNair, Deputy Commander of Duluth Sector paid an informal visit to the unit. A dinner was held with all officers attending.
9 Sep 64
Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Patrie of RCA arrived to start GATR Site Antenna maintenance.
10 Sep 64
Mr. Webb and Mr. Smith from Westinghouse arrived to investigate re-routing of glycol lines in the FPS-27 tower. Training Exercise Saux Dance XII. Unit team proceeded to Station Beausejour for vulnerability exercises. Cpl. Angers wife gave birth to twins in the station hospital - a boy and a girl. They were later airlifted to Winnipeg.
14 Sep 64
Training Exercise Winnebago Feather V.
15 Sep 64
Mr. Cross from AMCHQ arrived for high value tube evaluation. S/L Ireland, CO Station Moosonee, arrived for familiarization tour. Lt. Davidson, Army Postal Officer from Edmonton HQ arrived to inspect unit post office.
20 Sep 64
Mr. John Campbell, AVCO, Mr. J Tanaka and Mr. T Zubeck, CGE Company, arrived to work on FPS-26 Antenna problem. F/L Cowden Pers/Ed, and F/O Sibbert, Tech/Tel from ADCHQ visited this unit.
22 Sep 64
Mr. WH Neads and Mr. E Onkka arrived from Duluth for TCU Astra equipment test. Departed same day. Lt. Colonel Anglin, Area Dental Officer, and Captain Gareau of 14 Dental Corp. arrived for a one-day liaison and inspection visit.
23 Sep 64
RCA team, Mr. KB Johnson, Mr. WA Yakuchuck and Mr. AR Vaughan arrived to work at GATR site.
26 Sep 64
Open House was held.
28 Sep 64
Mr. Gerry Cramm and F/L Steve Zolmer arrived from AMC to visit GATR. F/O Bud Kelly was in same party regarding 0A3751 modification acceptance.
29 Sep 64
F/L Bridgeman, PERS/AFSEC of ADCHQ visited unit to perform Command Security inspection.
1 Oct 64
F/L Blazzard, Sgts. Ponto, Ralph, Spence, A/Cpl. Grober, LAC Sawyer from Station Beausejour arrived for a one day technical familiarization visit. RCA - GATR antenna team, Mr. KB Johnson, Mr. WA Yakuchuck and Mr. AR Vaughan departed for Yorkton. UPA35 course completed and Mr. Galbraith, NE Company, departed to return to Belleville.
5 Oct 64
F/L Forbes, FSV, conducted SOPA Food Services staff visit at this unit.
6 Oct 64
F/L Funk from Station Winnipeg arrived to audit the SAO’s books.
14 Oct 64
Trade exams were held for the airmen.
15 Oct 64
Test conducted on Turbine #4 to determine burning qualities of liquid propane. Test unsuccessful.
16 Oct 64
Training Exercise, Saux Dance XIII.
22 Oct 64
Training Exercise, ECCM with Boneyard.
25 Oct 64
Station Beausejour visited this unit for an exhibition flag football game.
27 Oct 64
First signs of boiler deterioration in Heating Plant.
28 Oct 64
F/Ls Wonnacott and Goulding arrived to complete ADCHQ SOPA inspection.
30 Oct 64
Training Exercise Mute II. Training Exercise Snowman I.
9 Nov 64
Mr. Bruce Anderson, Mr. Jack Adams and Mr. Neil Feltis, Manitoba Telephone, visited the site to discuss telephone problems.
11 Nov 64
F/L Barker plus 15 men proceeded as a delegation to Moosehorn to participate in their Legion Remembrance Day Service.
12 Nov 64
Mr. V Oswetski, CAE Winnipeg, arrived for Cal Van coordination.
16 Nov 64
A/C Hull, Chief of Staff, ADCHQ visited the unit.
18 Nov 64
Training Exercise, Desktop. F/O Beattie from ADCHQ was brought to the unit by the CO after a CE conference in Winnipeg. Orenda representatives try Smokeless Fuel Nozzle - Unsuccessful.
19 Nov 64
ESF Exercise by 12-man intrusion team from Station Beausejour. Cal Van arrived at 1630 hours.
20 Nov 64
Cal Van personnel arrived Mr. R Swain team leader.
21 Nov 64
W/C Poirier, SORA/RC, S/L Mould, SORA/P both from ADCHQ visited this unit on staff inspection.
23 Nov 64
Mr. Dave Nash and Mr. Doug Day for project 2764-12, FPS-27. Training Exercise Desktop VII. Mr. Swetman, AMCHQ paid a liaison visit to the unit. Mr. Raskin from Station Winnipeg conducted a projectionist course at this unit.
24 Nov 64
Mr. Swetman, AMC, arrived for work on project 2764-12. Messrs. Day and Nash of Northern Electric were slated to visit the unit.
25 Nov 64
Mr. Swetman returned to AMC. WO2 McIvor arrived at this unit to conduct Fore Hall section inspection.
26 Nov 64
Sgt. Laycock and LAC St. Michael from Station Cold Lake arrived to conduct armament inspection.
28 Nov 64
Mr. Day and Mr. Nash returned to Belleville, unable to complete project 2764-12 due to loss of tools in transit. 40 passenger bus proceeded to Gimli for a dependent sports tournament.
3 Dec 64
F/Ls Barker and Rogers and Sgt. Stokes attended the Area Development Board meeting held at Moosehorn.
7 Dec 64
Mr. David Bosworth, Lou Lannigan and Doug Askin from Canadian Westinghouse, Hamilton Ontario, arrived this date to work on projects on FPS-27 equipment. Mr. L Lawney arrived from AMC to monitor project.
8 Dec 64
Boiler #2 failed in Heating Plant. Captain Cambon, Regional Surgeon Matron arrived for a two day visit.
9 Dec 64
Van Cal 7 equipment returning to Winnipeg for re-certification. CAE personnel departed this date. Training Exercise Kiowa Magic Hotel.
11 Dec 64
Mr. Lawney returned to AMC this date. F/L Waite, WSIU visited the unit for one day.
12 Dec 64
Mr. Lannigan, Bosworth and Askin returned to Hamilton on completion of projects at FPS-27.
18 Dec 64
Training Exercise, Saux Dance XIV.
19 Dec 64
Indian Children’s Christmas Party. 94 Indian children ages 4 to 8 and 4 adults attended a Christmas Party consisting of movies at 1030 hours, a complete Christmas dinner and a visit from Santa Claus presenting each child with a gift plus a bag of candy distributed by Santa Claus as the children departed the base at 1430 hours.
29 Dec 64
Van Cal 7 and CAE personnel arrived this date to continue test equipment calibration.
30 Dec 64
Decision made to obtain Steam Generators from CNR to provide heat for station. Decision made to shut down turbine units and convert prime power to Manitoba Hydro.