Lowther, ON

Introduction

The major function of this unit is to proved surveillance data and Time Division Data Link facilities to Duluth Air Defence Sector under MODE I Operation. This unit functions as a NGCI under MODE III Operation. Tracks from RCAF Station Pagwa and RCAF Station Moosonee are passed to this unit and then are passed with tracks from this unit to Calumet Air Force Station.

This unit was formally handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the United States Air Force on 26 June 1963. W/C ID Tenove became the first RCAF Commanding Officer of Station Lowther.

Formal courses on the frequency diversity radars installed on this site were held at this unit. RCAF personnel from other radar sites in Canada attended these courses.

RCAF personnel from this station along with other military personnel in the area, paraded in Kapuskasing for the Battle of Britain Commemoration Day Parade and the Remembrance Day Parade.

The SAGE facilities of this unit were switched from Sault Ste Marie Air Defence Sector to Duluth Air Defence Sector on the first of October.

SAGE facilities were switched from Sault Ste Marie ADS to Duluth ADS.

AN/FPS-26 Training Program was held at this unit.

AN/FPS-27 Training Program was held at this unit

AN/FPS-27 Training Program was held at this unit

AN/FPS-27 Training Program was held at this unit

An AJ-Console course for the AN/FPS-26 and AN/FPS-27 Radar was held at this unit.

GATR facilities accepted

F/O LG Johnson, SCEO, inspected this unit’s Gap Filler site at Oba.

AN/FPS-27 Acceptance Meeting, equipment was not accepted due to recurring malfunctions.

AN/FPS-27 Acceptance Meeting, the acceptance papers were signed.

The OA-2325 modifications to the AN/MPS-14 was completed.

S/L DG Murphy from AFHQ, F/O D Battye from ADCHQ with a team of specialists conducted test to determine the causes and effects of power fluctuations on the AN/FPS-26.

W/C ID Tenove, CO, assumed command of this unit.

F/L PE Welsby, MED/NUR was taken on strength and assumed responsibility of the MIR.

New organizations as laid down by Command went into effect.

S/L Madill, (SORA (P) rep) visited this unit.

Mr. Little, SOCP Rep, visited this unit.

FS R Chatburn, SOSEC Rep, inspected station security.

W/C R Poirier, SORA (RC) visited this unit. F/L EL Zapf made initial visit of the Welfare Branch.

G/C AU Houle, and a group from SMADS visited this unit and briefed station personnel. F/O A Haggart, ADCHQ, made the first annual Command Fire Marshall inspection.

F/O AJ Frass, SOFSV Rep, inspected this unit’s messing facilities.

F/L D Eggington, SAO Station Pagwa, arrived at this unit to perform a cash count.

W/C Ridel, SOCE inspected this unit’s CE facilities.

Captain R MacDonald, RCADC, arrived at this unit and performed dental services for the personnel.

Major Burgess, RCAPC, regional postal officer inspected this units postal facilities.

F/L AA Jagoe arrived at this unit to evaluate Emergency Defence Procedures and Nuclear Defence.

Commandant, A/V/M FG Wait visited the Commissionaires at this unit.

F/O AG Borbley and FS WC Tolmie arrived at this unit for a MSE Staff visit.

W/C Hebb, Staff Officer Radar Systems made a familiarization visit to this unit.

F/L Wennocott and F/L Crook arrived at this unit to conduct a SOPA inspection. S/L PA Lahave, Chaplain (RC) made his first visit to this station.

WO2 Croucher (RCAMC) inspected the hygiene of the station.

S/L Palmer inspected this unit’s recreational facilities. WO1 Polylyk carried out a fire inspection on this unit.

F/L Carpenter, SOGT Rep, arrived at this unit for a Ground Training Staff Visit.

Nil

Two flights of RCAF personnel from this unit were on the Battle of Britain Commemoration Parade which was held in Kapuskasing.

This unit participated in the Remembrance Day Parade which was held at the Cenotaph in Kapuskasing. Two flights of RCAF personnel were on the parade and W/C Tenove laid a wreath.

Arrival of Advance Party.

F/O PA Bernard (PAdO) arrived.

F/O HF de Witt (STelO) arrived.

F/O JR Walsh (SAO) arrived.

Interim PMC’s for Station Messes were appointed.

Unit became self-accounting. Food Services responsibilities were assumed.

Assumed responsibility for CE functions.

MSE functions taken over.

RCAF Supply procedure in effect. DMCC and Radar Maintenance functions were taken over.

RCAF Message Centre procedure in effect.

RCAF Crypto Centre procedure put into effect.

W/C ID Tenove, CO, and F/L RJ Ball arrived at this unit.

RCAF Officially took over this Unit.

(ID Tenove) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Lowther

F/O PA Bernard arrived at this unit to take over as PAdO of the Advance Party.

F/O HF de Witt arrived this unit. He was appointed STelO.

The RCAF Accounts Officer, F/O JR Walsh arrived at this unit and proceeded to organize the RCAF banking procedures in Kapuskasing.

PMCs appointed for Station Messes as follows:

17 May 63

This unit became self-accounting, M & I responsibility formally assumed. Personnel on this unit were taken off TD and taken on strength. The RCAF assumed all Food Services responsibilities.

The RCAF CE Officer, F/O G Johnson assumed responsibility for CE functions.

MSE functions taken over by the RCAF.

RCAF Supply procedures in effect in all areas. The DMCC function taken over by RCAF personnel. Radar Maintenance responsibility assumed by the RCAF.

RCAF Message Centre procedures in effect.

S/L Madill, SORA (P) representative made initial liaison with Canon HM Shail, who was later hired as officiating clergyman Protestant.

Crypto Centre operation assumed by the RCAF.

W/C ID Tenove, the RCAF Commanding Officer arrived on the site. F/L RJ Ball arrived to take over as COpsO.

Mr. Little, SOCP representative, arrived at this unit for a three day staff visit.

The official handover of the 639^th AC&W Squadron by the USAF ADC to the RCAF ADC was accomplished this date. Major General BJ Webster, Chief of Staff, USAF ADC, handed over control of this unit to Air Vice Marshall MM Hendrick, Air Officer Commanding RCAF ADC. The following appendices are attached to the annual historical report:

Appendix A Itinerary of the handover ceremony and the guest list.

Appendix B Extract from the Northern Times of Kapuskasing.

Appendix C Timmins Daily Press coverage of Station Lowther before the handover.

Appendix D Photographs of the handover ceremony.

W/C ID Tenove assumed command of RCAF Station Lowther. The Officers on strength this were as follows:

At the date of the handover, RCAF Station Lowther was functioning as a Long Range Radar site with SAGE inputs to Sault Ste Marie ADS. The major equipments in operation at that date were:

8 Jul 63

FS R Chatburn from ADC SOSEC branch arrived this unit to inspect existing security facilities and make recommendations for improvements.

A meeting was held this date for the purpose of acceptance and handover to the RCAF of the GATR facilities. The Commanding Officer, Telecom and CE Officers attended this meeting as well as the following visiting personnel:

15 Jul 63

W/C R Poirier, SORA (RC) visited this unit. Arrangements were made by him to have Reverend Father Laurin of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Kapuskasing organize this unit’s RC services. F/L EL Zapf visited this unit for the initial visit of the Welfare Branch

G/C AU Houle, Deputy commander of SMADS; Major GC Davis, SMADS Ops Officer; 1^st Lt. Wright, SMADS RICMO and F/L J Cline ADCHQ visited this unit and held a briefing for station personnel. The briefing concerned the present Air Defence role of Stn Lowther and the forthcoming changes to be expected when this unit’s SAGE facilities would input to Duluth ADS. F/O A Haggart, ADCHQ, arrived this unit for the first annual Command Fire Marshal inspection.

F/O LG Johnson, SCEO, went to Oba to inspect the gap filler site connected to this unit.

A training program on the FPS-26 height finder commenced this date. The AVCO field representatives at this unit gave formal lectures and supervised practical training. Eleven RCAF personnel received training under this program.

F/O AJ Frass, SOFSV representative inspected the messing facilities on this unit.

F/L D Eggington, SAO Station Pagwa, arrived at this unit for a cash count.

W/C Ridell, SOCE visited this unit to inspect CE facilities.

A meeting was convened to discuss the acceptability of the AN/FPS-27 radar. The flight trials and many of the required tests had been satisfactorily completed. WECO Design and Engineering Agency are required to correct two recurring malfunctions before the equipment is accepted. Another heat run and some additional testing will have to be completed after the installation of new components, before the final acceptance of the AN/FPS-27 radar installation.

W/C ID Tenove, Commanding Officer, went on a familiarization visit to NORAD HQ for a week.

Captain R MacDonald, RCADC, arrived at this unit to establish a dental clinic. During a two week period he set up a dental clinic and performed dental services.

F/O PE Welsby MED/NUR was taken on strength and assumed responsibility for the MIR. The Station Accounts section was moved from Bldg. #7 to an area in Bldg. #6.

The Station Library was relocated to the area vacated by the Accounts section.

The Battle of Britain Commemoration Parade was held in Kapuskasing. The parade was composed of a colour party, two flights of Station Lowther personnel and two flights of the 647^th Air Cadet Squadron, Kapuskasing. W/C Tenove took the salute. Wreaths were laid at the Kapuskasing Cenotaph by W/C Tenove and Mrs. J Johnston, the Silver Star Mother and NS Grant, the Mayor of Kapuskasing.

Mr. I Camfield, Mr. E Smith and Mr. M Peet, all of Westinghouse Electric Co. and attached to ADC HQ commenced an eight day training program on the AN/FPS-27 Radar for 12 RCAF personnel. At the end of the formal instruction period, the RCAF personnel will carry on continuous OJT and familiarization training until the equipment is accepted and made fully operational.

This unit’s SAGE facilities were switched from Sault Ste Marie ADS to Duluth ADS this date. The ‘phone’ lines and Data Link lines to Duluth Sector will be utilized but they have not yet been tested or accepted by the Western Electric Testing Agency. Testing is to commence immediately.

W/C ID Tenove, Commanding, Officer, went to RCAF Station St. Hubert for a week, to attend the CO’s course.

Major burgess, RCAPC, regional postal officer inspected this unit’s postal facilities.

The unit technical sub-stores were relocated to an area with the Operations compound. The vacated area in the Supply building will be set up for the technical reference library, trade advancement and other training functions.

A meeting was convened for the purpose of discussing and signing the acceptance papers for the AN/FPS-27. The meeting was attended by the Commanding Officer, Telecom and CE personnel as well as representatives from ADC HQ, AMC HQ, GSMO, ISND and Westinghouse Electric Co. The AN/FPS-27 had been re-tested in the required areas after the replacement of the necessary components, (ref: August Summary of this report) and the malfunctions did not re-occur. The acceptance papers were signed.

A five day equipment training course commenced at this unit for 5 RCAF personnel from Station Ramore. Westinghouse Electric personnel attached to ADC HQ conducted the course.

F/L AA Jagoe arrived at this unit to evaluate the Emergency Defence Procedures and Nuclear Defence.

Commandant, A/V/M FG Wait made his first visit to the Detachment of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires at this unit.

The first Officer’s Mess Dinner was held at RCAF Station Lowther.

A five day equipment training course commenced at this unit for seven RCAF personnel from Station Armstrong. Westinghouse Electric personnel conducted the course. F/L TR Axcell, CTSO, and F/O RK Ismond went to Duluth ADS HQ to attend a five day ECM/ECCM course on the Frequency Diversity Radars.

F/O HF de Witt, STelO went to ADC to attend the STelO’s conference.

New organization as laid down by Command went into effect (Ref: APPENDIX "F" for Organization Chart).

F/O AG Borbley and FS WC Tolmie, arrived at this unit for a MSE Staff visit.

F/L R Walsh, SAO, went to Station Ramore to perform a cash count at that unit.

The modification to OA-2325 on the AN/MPS-14 which commenced on the 31 Oct 63 was completed on this date. This modification greatly enhances the ECCM capability of the AN/MPS-14.

Two flights of RCAF personnel from this unit, along with members of A Squadron Algonquin Regiment (Militia), the Royal Canadian Legion and the Kapuskasing Air Cadets were on the Remembrance Day Parade held in Kapuskasing. W/C ID Tenove, Commanding Officer RCAF Station Lowther, laid a wreath at the Kapuskasing Cenotaph on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

A ten day course on the AN/FPS-26 and AN/FPS-27 – Consoles commenced at this unit. Mr. I Esposito and Mr. P Fiocable gave the AN/FPS-26 course, Mr. IG Canfield, Mr. M Peet, Mr. E. Smith, and F/L Janega gave the AN/FPS-27 course. F/L RJ Dunn and F/O C Maxwell represented ADCHQ and F/O SG Dove represented AFHQ. Sixteen officers from frequency diversity radar sites across Canada attended the course.

S/L Hebb, Staff Officer Radar Systems, made a familiarization visit to this unit.

F/L GRO Wennocott and F/L RC Crook, SOPA team arrived at this unit for an inspection. S/L PA Lahaye, Chaplain (RC) North Bay made his first visit to this station.

WO2 Croucher (RCAMC) Regional Surgeon Oakville representative arrived at this unit to inspect the hygiene of the station.

F/L D Eggington, SAO Pagwa arrived at this unit to carry out a cash count.

S/L Palmer, from ADC HQ, arrived at this unit to inspect the recreational facilities. WO1 Polylyk, arrived at this unit to carry out a fire inspection.

F/L Carpenter, SOGT representative, arrived at this unit for a Ground Training Staff visit.