Holberg, BC

The principal events of interest for the period were:

Exercise "Cracker Jack" commenced at 0001 hours Zulu time. All of the Station was placed on a 24 hour standby.

The first alert of exercise "Cracker Jack" was called. At 2245Z an Air Defence Readiness was called; at 2308Z situation changed to condition "Apple Jack" and at 0745Z the situation changed to "Cocked Pistol" and the exercise was ended. The Security Plan worked well and proved effective. However, despite all preparations no aircraft participating in "Cracker Jack" entered our area.

At 2255Z a condition "Cocked Pistol" was called by 5 ADCC and at 2302Z condition "Apple Jack" prevailed until 0208Z when condition "Snowman" was called. The Station Security Plan was again put into effect during this period. However this time USAF B-47s paid our sector a visit and received a warm welcome in simulated attacks by CF-100s vectored in from RCAF Station Comox.

Holberg Inlet covered with 4 inch layer of ice, one foot of snow has fallen to date.

The mercury dropped to the lowest temperature ever recorded in the Holberg District – the thermometer registered 18 degrees above freezing. Though the BC Chamber of Commerce may boast of the coast as the Evergreen Playground, since 21 Nov 55 the fjord or harbour at Holberg village has been covered with 2 inches of ice at a minimum.

The station experienced a 14 inch fall of snow over the past 24 hours.

After recent snow falls, snow is now 18 to 20 inches deep at the Domestic Site and stands at between 3 and 4 feet deep at the Operations Site.

Snow storm now ended, depth is now 24 ½ inches and very wet. Average weight of one cubic foot is 27 pounds. On this basis normal PMQ roof on the station would be supporting approximately 25 tons of snow. To prevent any roofs from caving in, all headquarters stations were released from normal duties to help clear the roofs of all buildings in the Domestic Site.

Mr. William Grant, a plumber employed in the CE Section was accidentally drowned today in a boating mishap. Our two vessels and the RCMP launch were sent to search for the body.

Search for the body of Mr. Grant called off by RCC Vancouver on advice of RCMP as depth of water where accident occurred makes dragging operations impossible. It is also apparent that due to the temperature of the water it would have been impossible for Mr. Grant to have survived a swim to the safety of the shore. Nevertheless, before final closure of search operations the shoreline of Holberg Inlet was thoroughly searched.

A violent storm developed today. This blizzard brought winds of Hurricane force, many windows in PMQs were reported blown in, the galvanized steel roofs of a few DCL huts used as civilian accommodation were lifted at the corners and ripped.

Intermittent snow continued throughout the day.

Vulnerability test team from 5 Air Div HQ arrived today. Test is to be run sometime between 6 and 8 Mar 56 to find defects in Station Security Plan.

Mrs. HC Armstrong, wife of Cpl. Armstrong was evacuated for medical reasons via Canso aircraft to the Vancouver General Hospital.

Marwell Construction, contractors for the Station Recreation Hall arrived today.

Ground was broken and construction of the Rec. Hall commenced today. This marks the end of a two year fight to obtain this structure.

Mr. PH Lazenby, DCL Engineer, arrived today to supervise the construction of the Rec. Hall and the Swimming Pool.

The CO advised his Staff Officers at a Branch Head Conference that he was being transferred to COC Colorado Springs in July. S/L DK Game to be the new CO.

Commander, 5 Air Div HQ, A/C WA Orr, arrived for his annual inspection. Before inspecting the whole station, A/C Orr reviewed a 50 man Guard of Honour and commended the Guard Commander, F/L JJ Dent, on a fine turn out.

Apart from the above points, no Administrative or Operational changes in policy or function occurred. Operationally the period was fairly active with many intercepts and practice intercepts being conducted throughout the period.