Holberg, BC

Foreword

Circumstances attending the formation of the Station and subsequent changes in Operational Role.

After the majority of the buildings had been completed an Advance Party of thirteen personnel arrived on the site. There followed an intensive period of preparation, on receipt of equipment culminating in the buildings being accepted from the contractors on 1 Jan 54 and the unit became activated for administrative purposes on the same date. The unit finally became operational on 25 Apr 54 and was designated as 501 Aircraft Warning Squadron, RCAF, Holberg, BC. In July of that same year AFHQ letter S895-100-97/501 (DOE) dated 5 Jul 54 containing AL2 to Org Order 1034 dated 1 Jan 54 changed the title of the unit to RCAF Station, Holberg, BC.

A change in Operational Role was indicated when this unit received letter 895-97/53 (DOE) dated 3 Jul 56 covering a new Organization Order 3.8 which superceded a previous order 3.8 dated 28 Dec 54. This new order re-designated the Squadron number to read 53 AC&W vice 501 ACW Squadron effective 1 Aug 56, and altered our operational role to 24 hours GCI vice our previous role of 16 hours EW and 8 hours GCI. Org Order 3.8 dated 3 Jul 56 was the first official notice received from AFHQ concerning this change, although previous command notice had been issued by an amendment to the ADC bi-monthly Operational Plan dated 8 Dec 55.

After receipt of these notices the Station Working Establishment was amended to confirm our new GCI role.

The principal events of interest for the period were:

27 Jun 56

Change of Command for the Station. A/S/L RFM Walker, Air/P, officially relinquished command of the Station to S/L DK Game, Air/P. A formal ceremonial handing over parade was held on 14 Jun 56.

The Chief of the Air Staff, A/M CR Slemon, CB CBE CD, made his first official visit to the station since the activation of the unit. The CAS showed particular interest in the accommodation problem on the unit. The visiting party included Mrs. Slemon and S/L Durston, the CAS’s EA. A 50 man Guard of Honour was inspected by the CAS. The Guard Commander was F/L PE Malo and the Guard Warrant Officer was WO2 Dobbs.

A/C AD Ross, Commander 5 Air Div HQ, conducted his annual inspection in the name of the AOC ADCHQ. Included in the inspecting party were S/L ES Stann, F/L G Kitchings, F/O AN Einarson and F/L KE McKenzie.

The first signs of winter appeared today in the form of a thin ice layer over Holberg inlet. However, the weather is becoming milder and it is not expected that the ice will stay. Last year the ice began to form on 21 Nov and remained until some time in March.

Security Vulnerability Team lead by S/L B Dale submitted the unit to a simulated sabotage attack. The team was composed of S/L Dale, one F/O and four senior NCOs. All except the leader had no previous sabotage training and were recruited from various western units. Though we wish to report otherwise, the Station Security system was sadly breached. Nevertheless, three of the Sabotage Team were captured, but not until they had reached some of their objectives. A great deal was learned as a result of this test, both in favour and against our Security Plan concepts, and all station personnel have grown Security conscious. Another vulnerability test of the Station is to be made in the near future to assess improvements in our Security Plan and General Control of access to the unit.

In conclusion, a change in Operational Role of the Station from EW to GCI became effective 1 Aug 56. Details of the change are reported in the Foreword to this Diary.