Lowther, ON

When Lowther, Ontario, Canada had been ascertained as the location for the 639^th, the responsibility for contracting for site construction was given to Detachment 1, Headquarters Air Defense Command, Ottawa, Ontario. This headquarters also began contacting tentative suppliers for the station’s local purchases when it eventually became occupied.

Lowther, located in the James Bay region, Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, is a community with a population of 50. It is 30 miles west of Kapuskasing and 32 miles east of Hearst. Its "sister sites" are: 913^th AC&W station at Pagwa and the 912^th AC&W Squadron at Ramore. There is a short, but average Northern Temperate Zone summer and the average winter temperature is 20 degrees below zero.

It was not until 6 March 1957 that a third person was gained by the Squadron. M/Sgt. Daniel E Lynch, a medical supervisor from Fort Fisher, North Carolina was the recipient of the small honor. He reported to Selfridge AFB, Michigan for overseas processing where he joined a group of other men bound for Lowther.

Then on the 27^th of March 1957, Major Bernice A Allen, the first commander of the activated 639^th, M/Sgt. Joe T Ford, the First Sergeant, Sgt. Lynch and T/Sgt. Andrew Kuba checked in at the Kapuskasing Inn, the temporary headquarters and mailing address. This action started the new site on its way to an excellent community relationship.

The local people were curious as to why the airmen were in their town and equally curious about the American way of life. Major Allen instructed his men to be courteous and respectful to the residents and to explain to them, in a general manner, the mission of an AC&W Squadron. The Canadian citizens proved to be very hospitable, accepted the airmen as friends and invited them into their homes frequently. This spirit has been kept by the Air Force and the individual. Participation in church affairs by the airmen, invitations extended to auxiliary chaplains to bring their choirs and parishioners to missions and services held at the base, participation in local sports by teams representing the site and informing the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests of inclement weather detected on our scopes, has promoted and maintained a mutual respect, understanding and good feeling. All incoming personnel are briefed by the commander on the importance of showing a good example to the Canadians and being friendly with them.

Major Allen and his three assistants had been joined by 18 other airmen during March and the entire group made the 30 mile journey to Lowther every day in staff cars and private owned vehicles.

The first bulk equipment supplies from the USAF automatic distribution lists had begun to arrive and the men had to carry the cartons "safari style" over the mile of unfinished road from the railroad tracks to the supply building. The completion of the road and the arrival of some trucks facilitated this laborious task and eased several aching backs. It also allowed the NCO’s to commence the organization of their own sections.

The barracks had been completed and furnished early in May and Supply and Food Services were rapidly nearing operational status. The installation of the essential utilities was realized in the middle of the month and on the 28^th of May, the squadron was physically moved to its operational home.

The arrival of the first dependants brought to the surface our only problem with the residents; a linguistic one. The distance of the larger cities, Kapuskasing and Hearst, and the hazards of the road, forced the families to live in the smaller, closer towns. A large percentage of the populace of these communities speak only "Canuck", a mixture of French, French slang and pidgin English, which is extremely difficult for French or English people to understand. This was remedied by time, mutual understanding and some language concessions by both parties. When the installation employed some of the people and began to patronize their business establishments, the friendship was cemented.

As the electronic equipment was received, the Communications and Electronics section inspected it for breakage and mistakes, stored it in the Operations Building and reported shortages and errors accordingly. Mr. Joseph Devinney, a Middletown Air Force Area representative, was sent here to monitor contract progress and supply deficiencies.

On July 15^th a Canadian Aviation Electronics team, under contract to Middletown, came to install the equipment. The team consisted of ten men who did their work very efficiently and installation progressed rapidly. The tentative completion date was set for 15 September.

This prospect demanded operational manning and 50 additional personnel were alerted for PCS movement to here by EADF and their own bases. However, acute shortages forced a postponement of the operational date and the CAE team left here in 15 August. They had installed 75% of the radar equipment and 90% of the Air-to-Ground Radio facilities. Two men from the team remained. Mr. HJ Denyer was the site resident engineer and Mr. HW Marsh was the site resident telecom technician. Nothing had been accomplished in the first half of September on the Radar or the Air-to-Ground Radio equipment.

A coordination meeting was held on the 12^th and 13^th of September to discuss the delay in the installation of the telephone plant. Representatives of the Northern Telephone Company, the Corps of Engineers, Middletown Air Material Area and the Squadron’s C&E Officer. Northern Telephone Company agreed to install the equipment as soon as it arrived.

Fifty new personnel reported in for PCS assignment in September. This eased the work load considerably for certain sections. Special Services equipment was ordered and the EADF Library Depot was queried about establishing a Squadron Library. Arrangements were made in Kapuskasing to make athletic and recreational facilities available to the airmen and 16 men enrolled in the evening classes conducted by Kapuskasing High School. An intra squadron Volleyball League was started and more athletic equipment arrived in October.

Supply began to encounter problems in November when that section attempted to procure certain items through local purchase channels. Some expendable electronic spare parts, certain AIP supplies and various vehicle parts were not stocked by the merchants on Kapuskasing or Hearst. This necessitated ordering from firms in Timmins, Toronto and Ottawa. In some cases, it was months before the needed items were received. No good remedy has been found for this situation.

Middletown’s C&E installation contract with CAE terminated on 7 November. Mr. Devinney requested that the technical trained maintenance personnel of the squadron be utilized in the final stages of the radar equipment installation. The proximity of heavy snowfalls, zero weather and the damage it would do to certain equipment were the principle reasons for this action. The request was granted and the last radome was erected on the afternoon of the 14^th. The Lowther vicinity was blanketed with a 6 inch snowfall on the 15^th.

Two 16mm notion picture projectors were received early in November. The first film arrived a week later and the first movie was shown on the 10t^h. This caused a notable increase in the morale of base personnel.

December was notable for the organization of the base basketball team and two bowling teams which represented the base in the Kapuskasing Civic Bowling League. The basketball team boasted some outstanding players and easily won all of its games against local opposition.

Materials for a base library arrived from the EADF Library Depot later in the month. The library now stocks 900 clothbound volumes, approximately 300 paperback books and magazines and a newspaper file.

The year 1957 came to an end with all support sections functioning properly and efficiently but electronic installation was at a standstill.