Lac St. Denis, QC

1959 – Historical Report – National Archives of Canada


 

Historical Report
RCAF Station
Lac St. Denis, PQ,
1 June 1959 to 30 November 1959

1 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Chainshot" and STP problem #2 carried out. There were 12 practice intercepts (PIs) today.

Telecommunications – F/O Bundy, RAdO, and Cpl. LaPrise departed for a ten week AN/FPS-20A course at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss, USA.

2 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations, no intercepts.

3 Jun 59

Operations – STP problem #13 carried out. There were 25 PIs. An ADCOM conference was held at this unit.

Recreation – The beach snack bar opened for the season. Normal routine otherwise, of scheduled gym classes and station softball games.

4 Jun 59

Operations – Exercises "Straw Boss" and "Chain Shot" carried out. There were 30 PIs.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Station Lachine.

5 Jun 59

Operations – STP problem #15 and 10 PIs today.

Recreation – A Brownies swim meet was held.

6 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations.

7 Jun 59

Routine operations with 8 PIs.

8 Jun 59

Operations – Exercises "Chain Shot" and "Boneyard", an STP problem and 39 PIs carried out.

Recreation – A Fishing Derby was held.

Visits – A staff visit from ADCHQ, SOCE included W/C AW Riddell, S/L DF Clark, S/L WF Cooke and F/L RF Maxon.

9 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations, 8 PIs.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at St. John. There was a softball umpire clinic held on the unit.

10 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Desk Top II" held, and 17 PIs carried out.

Construction – Work started on the construction of a combined Station Chapel. It is expected to be ready for services by Christmas Day.

11 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Desk Top II" ended and 24 PIs carried out.

Recreation – A Station golf tournament was held at Piedmont.

12 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

13 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations.

Recreation – A Sunday School picnic was held at the Station beach.

Medical – Two reserve nurses – F/O Thiessen and P/O Sparling, arrived from 2402 AC&W Squadron, Winnipeg, for two weeks of trade training.

Retirement – A farewell Mess Dinner was held in the Officer’s Mess for W/C SD Turner, CO, on the occasion of his retirement. In attendance were A/C Whiting, G/C Randall and W/C Wolfenden.

14 Jun 59

Operations – A Broadcast Control (BCC) exercise and 13 PIs were carried out.

15 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and BCC exercise were carried out. There were 14 PIs.

16 Jun 59

Operations – A crash reported from GObC was received regarding a C-180 that crashed while landing north of this station. Four persons aboard were killed. No action was taken by this unit. There were 20 PIs.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Longue Pointe.

17 Jun 59

Operations – An STP problem and 30 PIs were carried out.

Recreation – An archery meeting was held with instruction and demonstration by Mr. Andre Jeneau of Montreal.

18 Jun 59

Operations – Exercises "Big Blast" and "Cue Ball" were held with 18 PIs.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Station Lachine.

19 Jun 59

Operations – STP problem #13 and a BCC exercise were held. There were 21 PIs.

Medical – Sgt. Leclair reported back from a six week Med/A Supervisors course at Station Aylmer.

20 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations with 14 PIs.

Retirement – A farewell dinner in honour of the retiring CO, W/C SD Turner, and Mrs. Turner was held in the Officer’s Mess. In attendance were G/C MacBride, G/C Randall, G/C Buchall, W/C Wolfenden and W/C Kusiar.

21 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations with 7 PIs.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Station Uplands.

22 Jun 59

Operations – STP problem #3 and 9 PIs were carried out.

23 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Cold Wind 14" and 24 PIs today.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Station St. Hubert.

24 Jun 59

Operations – An STP exercise was held, and 3 GCI site runs were carried out.

Recreation – An archery meeting was held.

25 Jun 59

Operations – Exercise "Big Blast" was held. Chine 60 (KC-97) lost one engine, and Oil Tank 29 (B-47) had gas fumes in the cockpit. Both were given surveillance and flight following to Plattsburg. There were 17 PIs.

Recreation – A station golf tournament was held.

26 Jun 59

Operations – An STP exercise was held.

27 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

28 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations.

29 Jun 59

Operations – STP problem #6 was held and ECM triangulation exercises 6 and 7 were carried out.

30 Jun 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Change of Command – A Handing Over Parade was held on the occasion of the retirement of W/C SD Turner. The new CO is W/C WJ Smith.

1 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations.

2 Jul 59

Operations – A Sector Commander’s conference was held. An STP exercise and 12 PIs were carried out.

3 Jul 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 22 PIs were run.

Recreation – A visiting variety show performed in the Rec. Centre, followed by a dance.

4 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 21 PI’s.

5 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 14 PI’s.

Recreation – The girl’s softball team played at Station Lachine.

6 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and STP problem #10 were carried out. There were 18 PI’s.

Telecommunications – A CGE team arrived for 12 days to carry out the AN/CPS-6B fifth annual peaking.

 

Visits – Four men from the RCA Victor Research Laboratory arrived for a one day visit.

7 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 44 PI’s.

8 Jul 59

Operations – A "Big Blast" mission, a "Boneyard" exercise and STP exercise #15, were carried out. There were 47 PI’s.

9 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and 14 PI’s were carried out.

Recreation – A station golf tournament was held.

Visits – F/L Everard and F/L Van Vliet of SOPR, ADCHQ, arrived with 15 men from a CBC drama production group. Their visit was to permit them to gain the general atmosphere of an operations room, to assist them in a forthcoming TV play.

10 Jul 59

Operations – STP problem #11 and 43 PI’s were run.

11 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 28 PI’s.

Recreation – An Airwomen’s Field Meet was held at this unit. Other stations represented were St. Hubert and St. John.

12 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Recreation – The girl’s softball team played at Lachine.

13 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

14 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Cold Wind" was carried out.

Recreation – A station beach party was held.

15 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 10 PI’s.

16 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" and 31 PI’s today.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Lachine.

17 Jul 59

Operations – An STP problem and 38 PI’s were carried out.

Recreation – The QRA Golf Tournament was held at Piedmont with other entries coming from Stations St. Hubert, St. John, Lachine and Bagotville.

18 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

19 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations with 20 PI’s today.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team played the visiting Rockcliffe team.

20 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and 14 PI’s were run.

21 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Visit – W/C W Rodger, Command Chaplain (P) arrived for a one day visit.

22 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Star Blast", STP problem #15, and 4 PI’s were carried out.

23 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" carried out.

24 Jul 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 12 PI’s were run.

25 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations, 18 PI’s.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team played at Rockcliffe.

26 Jul 59

Operations – A pilotless Aeronca plotted by this unit, crashed into a tree south of Montreal.

27 Jul 59

Operations – STP problem #9 and 20 PI’s were carried out.

28 Jul 59

Operations – A BCC exercise was held and 6 PI’s run.

29 Jul 59

Operations – An STP exercise was held.

30 Jul 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" and 6 PI’s were run.

Recreation – A station golf tournament was held.

31 Jul 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

1 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations.

2 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 22 PI’s.

3 Aug 59

Operations – One BCC exercise and 29 PI’s today.

4 Aug 59

Operations – There were two ECM exercises and 34 PI’s.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at St. Hubert.

5 Aug 59

Operations – STP problem #15 and 29 PI’s were carried out.

6 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" and "Chain Shot" were run today. There were 46 PI’s.

7 Aug 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 39 PI’s were run.

8 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 15 PI’s.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team played Peter Pan Bakeries of Ottawa.

9 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 15 PI’s.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team played a team from Laprairie.

10 Aug 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 9 PI’s were run.

Visit – Mr. DM Loomis, AFHQ Construction Engineering arrived for a CE inspection.

11 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 28 PI’s.

12 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and 26 PI’s were run.

13 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Cue Ball", "Straw Boss", and "Big Blast", were carried out. There were 30 PI’s.

Recreation – A station golf tournament was held. Representatives were sent to participate in the QRA Track and Field Meet, held at CMR, St. John.

14 Aug 59

Operations – STP problem #15, and 5 PI’s were carried out.

Visits – Mr. TH Bennett, Director of Program Analysis Defence Works, and S/L CG Grigg of SOOrg, ADCHQ, arrived for a one day visit.

Recreation – The Sgts. Mess softball team played station Lachine’s Sgts. Mess.

15 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Telecommunications – Conversion to "One Floor Operation" started today. Estimated completion date is 28 Aug.

Construction – Construction of a tennis court and sports field, started 15 May 59, was completed today.

Recreation – A station summer carnival was held at the station beach. Awards were presented to outstanding athletes, and a Carnival Queen was crowned.

16 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 10 PI’s.

17 Aug 59

Operations – An STP problem and 16 PI’s were run.

18 Aug 59

Operations – A "Sign Post" exercise was held.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at St. John.

19 Aug 59

Operations – An STP problem was run.

20 Aug 59

Operations – A "Boneyard" ECM exercise was held and 25 PI’s carried out.

21 Aug 59

Operations – STP problem #15 and exercise "Cold Wind" were carried out. There were 24 PI’s.

22 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 15 PI’s.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team played at Laprairie.

23 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

24 Aug 59

Operations – Exercises "Chain Shot" and "Boneyard" were carried out. There were 55 PI’s.

Visits – A/C Harvey arrived from ADCHQ for a one day visit.

25 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Sign Post" and 22 PI’s were run.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at St. Hubert.

26 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Big Blast" and 14 PI’s were carried out.

27 Aug 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" and 30 PI’s were run.

28 Aug 59

Operations – STP problems #16, 17 and 18 were run – duration 6 hours and 48 minutes. There were 6 PI’s.

Recreation – The station girl’s softball team competed in the QRA Ladies softball tournament at St. Hubert.

29 Aug 59

Operations – Routine operations, 13 PI’s.

30 Aug 59

Operations – One interception made to escort an SOS aircraft to station St. Hubert.

31 Aug 59

Operations – STP problem #16 and 7 PI’s were run.

1 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations, 23 PI’s.

Recreation – The station soccer team played at Longue Pointe. The indoor swimming pool opened today for the winter.

2 Sep 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 5 PI’s were carried out.

3 Sep 59

Recreation – The swimming pool was closed for repairs. A station golf tournament was held.

4 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #14 and 31 PI’s were carried out.

Recreation – The PMQ teenagers held their first Laurenteen Club meeting in the station theatre.

5 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations today with 15 PI’s.

6 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations with 16 PI’s.

Visits – W/C RR Steeves and F/L CA Pinneo arrived from ADCHQ for a one day Telecom liaison visit.

Recreation – Crew 2 played a softball team from St. Hubert.

7 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations, 8 PI’s.

8 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations, 8 PI’s.

9 Sep 59

Operations – A Cocked Pistol at 2020Z started exercise "Cue Ball". A unit vulnerability test was carried out. There were 21 PI’s.

Recreation – The woodworking hobby shop re-opened for the winter.

10 Sep 59

Operations – Exercises "Straw Boss" and "Big Blast" were carried out. There were 12 PI’s.

Recreation – A bowling meeting was held to elect committee members and discuss plans for the winter.

Construction – Work crews started preparatory work to complete the paving of station roads and parking areas. The project is estimated to take three weeks.

11 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #14 and two exercises – "Boneyard" and BCC, were carried out. There were 61 PI’s.

12 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

13 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations.

14 Sep 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and 14 PI’s were run.

Telecommunications – Sgt. Cooper departed for a two week course on SIF at Halifax.

15 Sep 59

Operations – Triangulation intercept trials were held, and a "Boneyard" exercise. There were 72 PI’s.

16 Sep 59

Operations – A BCC exercise and 13 PI’s were carried out.

Recreation – A mess competition was held between the Cpls. and Aircraftsmen.

17 Sep 59

Operations – Exercises "Cold Wind" and "Big Blast" were carried out. There were 13 PI’s.

18 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #13 and 19 PI’s were carried out.

Recreation – The inter-section softball league play-offs ended with Crew 2 victorious over Telecom.

19 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations, 13 PI’s.

20 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Recreation – The station soccer team played in the QRA championship tournament at St. John.

21 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #16 and 24 PI’s were run.

Recreation – A golf tournament for the station championship was started today.

22 Sep 59

Operations – One BCC exercise and 10 PI’s were run.

23 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #13 was run.

Recreation – A meeting was held to form a Bridge Club.

24 Sep 59

Operations – Exercises "Straw Boss" and "Chain Shot" were carried out. There were 9 PI’s.

25 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #13 and a trial procedure to intercept using information supplied by triangulation, were carried out. There were 23 PI’s.

26 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations, 11 PI’s today.

27 Sep 59

Operations – Routine operations.

28 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #17 was carried out.

29 Sep 59

Operations – Exercise "Big Blast" and 4 PI’s were run.

Royal Visit – Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice, arrived for a three hour visit. The tour started with an Honour Guard inspection, and was followed by luncheon in the Officer’s Mess, a tour of the Operations building, a visit to the Rec. Centre, and tea in the Airwomen’s quarters. G/C M Pollard, #1 Sector Commander, and S/L J Hudson, Acting CO, conducted HRH on the tour. In the visiting party were W/O Walker (retired), W/O Taylor (retired), Mrs. Gouldie, S/L Dalton, AFHQ and F/L Phillips, ADCHQ.

30 Sep 59

Operations – STP problem #11 was run.

1 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Visit – S/L RA Osborne, Command Matron, and F/L CN Envoy arrived for a two day staff visit and inspection of the MIR.

2 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

3 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 15 PI’s.

4 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations with 19 PI’s.

5 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 17 PI’s.

6 Oct 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" and 15 PI’s were carried out.

7 Oct 59

Operations – STP problem was carried out.

Recreation – A station bingo was held in the Rec. Centre.

8 Oct 59

Operations – Exercise "Big Blast" and an ECM exercise were carried out. There were 53 PI’s.

Recreation – F/L Dahl, Station Sports Officer, attended the QRA Sports Meeting at Station St. Sylvestre.

9 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 7 PI’s.

10 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 22 PI’s.

11 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 18 PI’s.

12 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 18 PI’s.

13 Oct 59

Operations – Exercise "Fast Move" started at 2025Z. There were 8 intercepts.

Telecommunications – Northern Electric personnel arrived to start installing new radar equipment.

14 Oct 59

Operations – Exercise "Fast Move" ended at 1900Z.

Visit – S/L HE Bodien arrived from ADCHQ for a one day visit.

15 Oct 59

Operations – Exercise "Straw Boss" and "Big Blast" were carried out. There were 16 PI’s.

16 Oct 59

Operations – STP problem #14 carried out.

17 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 8 PI’s.

18 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations with 12 PI’s.

19 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

20 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations with 11 PI’s.

Construction – Construction started today on a new sewage lift station and force main. This project is expected to be completed by 15 Apr 60.

21 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 54 PI’s run.

Recreation – The swimming pool was re-opened.

22 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 5 PI’s.

23 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

24 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations with one intercept.

Visit – W/C Foe (RAF) and party of five, arrived for a one day familiarization visit to operations.

25 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 27 PI’s.

26 Oct 59

Operations – An STP and 15 PI’s were run.

27 Oct 59

Operations – R-Theta trials were held today.

28 Oct 59

Operations – A three hour STP and R-Theta trials were run. Exercise "Big Blast" and 20 PI’s were also carried out.

Telecommunications – Installation of the new radar equipment was completed. A check out crew is taking over.

Visit – S/L CE West arrived for a one day visit with the CE section.

Recreation – A basketball meeting was held. Swimming classes were started.

30 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations, 8 PI’s. The #1 Sector Commander’s quarterly conference was held.

Recreation – Badminton and hockey meetings were held.

31 Oct 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Recreation – A Station Halloween dance was held.

1 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 11 PI’s.

2 Nov 59

Operations – An STP exercise and 23 PI’s were run.

3 Nov 59

Operations – A BCC exercise and 20 PI’s were run.

4 Nov 59

Operations – An STP exercise was carried out. A report was received of the crash of a Wheeler Airlines DC-4 at Georef position HLBB3719.

Recreation – A station bingo was held.

5 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 10 PI’s.

6 Nov 59

Operations – Exercise "Big Blast" and 15 PI’s were run.

7 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 7 PI’s.

8 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, today.

9 Nov 59

Operations – Exercise "Chain Shot" held and 8 PI’s run.

Telecommunications – RCA commenced erection of rigid radome for new equipment.

10 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 19 PI’s.

11 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 6 PI’s.

Parades – Remembrance Day parades were held in both Ste. Agathe and Morin Heights.

12 Nov 59

Operations – Exercise "Cold Wind" was held and 17 PI’s run.

13 Nov 59

Operations – AN/CPS-6B taken off the air and the unit closed down during the changeover to AN/FPS-20A equipment.

16 Nov 59

Telecommunications – The rigid radome was completed today.

17 Nov 59

Visit – F/L DA Gordon, Area Social Welfare Officer, arrived for a one day visit.

18 Nov 59

Visit – S/L CH Haverstock, SRCO, and S/L RH Pook, RTSC, arrived to discuss Auxiliary weekend training.

Recreation – A station bingo was held in the Rec. Centre. Scheduled swimming classes were held.

19 Nov 59

Operations – The AN/FPS-20A was turned on and the unit assumed the status of limited operations. This equipment does not provide a height finding facility. Exercise "Cue Ball" held and 18 PI’s run.

20 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 19 PI’s.

Telecommunications – Removal of the AN/CPS-6B was completed.

21 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations, 5 PI’s.

22 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations with 7 PI’s.

23 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Recreation – The O’Keefe Variety Show performed in the Rec. Centre.

24 Nov 59

Operations – FPS-20 trial runs were held.

Visit – F/L EA Ireland arrived for Radar Acceptance meeting.

25 Nov 59

Operations – Acceptance trials were held, and 2 PI’s run.

Recreation – A Ski Club meeting was held.

26 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations today with 10 PI’s.

27 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations.

28 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations today. The new radar turned over to the RCAF at full capability.

Recreation – A Curling Bonspiel started today at the Chanteclerc Curling Club.

29 Nov 59

Operations – A BCC exercise and 22 PI’s were carried out.

30 Nov 59

Operations – Routine operations today.

Signed by:
(WJ Smith) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Lac St. Denis, Que.