Moisie, QC

1962 – Historical Narrative – National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
RCAF Station Moisie, PQ
1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

5 Dec 62

Official pictures of 211 AC&W Squadron Badge received from AFHQ this date. Project originally started in Oct 59, approval to design given in Jul 62. Unit motto is "Si Invisum, non Invisum".

11, 14, 21 Dec 62

STM 401, 604, 401 respectively. On 14 and 21 Dec, STMs were run with Banors with heavy invader problems. 11 Dec STM was run with manual sites only.

15 Dec 62

20365 W/C W Rodger Command Protestant Chaplain arrived for the annual staff visit.

18 Dec 62

Catseye 6/62. Live exercise conducted on a rather small scale, in which Moisie participated with threat warning only.

25 Dec 62

Officers and Sr. NCOs served Christmas dinner to airmen, following RCAF tradition. 84749 AC1 DG Wilson, AFP, chosen as Acting CO for the occasion.

27 Dec 62

Station Moisie played host to Indian Children from Maliotenam Indian Reserve. Day’s entertainment, included sports, and refreshments. Cash gift of $75.00 presented to school officials. Summary of Operation for Dec. Total intercepts were:

Practice live

120

Synthetic

37

Surveillance activity: Total tracks identified were approximately 2929. Unknowns: 7 Dec – P406, track off in flight plan correlation limits. IDFR 5 minutes out of YY with assistance from radio range. Emergencies: Nil.

1 Jan 63

204581 F/L MJF Braun, CTSO, promoted to rank of Squadron Leader. 44774 F/L C Pennington granted PC.

3 Jan 63

23520 A/C RB Whiting, G/C McLeod and party of officers from AFHQ CE staff visited unit for purpose of construction inspection of FPS-27 Tower. Party accompanied by Brig Gen FB James, USAF and other USAF and DCL Personnel.

4 Jan 63

STM 604. Sector level STP with battle staff manning.

13 Jan 63

214242 F/L W Niemy, Air/P, transferred to CEPE Uplands. F/L Niemy filled position of CADO at Moisie for two years. The only incumbent of the position which was deleted from the establishment Oct 62.

14 Jan 63

Refrigerator Mech course commenced for familiarization and training RefG Techs on electro mechanical maintenance of telecom equipment. Intake of 13. Course duration two weeks. 30606 W/C CA Brunger, 20621 F/O SLV Paulson, ADCHQ, visited Unit – preparation for handover of FPS-27.

18 Jan 63

STM 401. Sector level STP with battle staff. Problem unrealistic in presentation creating a poor surveillance picture at this unit. Handover of fighters also not realistic as procedures not fully utilized.

22 Jan 63

233171 F/L KB Jacobs, ADCHQ ASWelO made annual visit, interviewing personnel with welfare problems.

23 Jan 63

STM 402. Bi-region exercise with senior battle staff involving a heavy invader problem.

24 Jan 63

Brig Gen. Neale, USAF, A/C Hull, ADC CStaffO, visited unit for official handover of FPS-27.

21 – 25 Jan 63

F/L Stewart, F/O Kempthorne, SOAF/ADC carried out Accounts audit.

29 Jan 63

One major live exercise for the month – "Apex Alpha". Large scale exercise conducted with senior battle staff manning. Tactical action at this unit resulted in three MAs out of three attempts. Occasional chaff drops from targets as the only ECM experienced. Surveillance picture was clear and good with no major problems encountered. Summary of Operations for Jan. Total intercepts were:

Practice live

190

Synthetic

67

Fakers

3

Surveillance activity: Total tracks identified were 2092. Unknowns – Nil. Emergencies – Nil.

4 Feb 63

2664 WO1 CMM Smith, AFHQ, commenced the testing of diesels in new power plant.

5 Feb 63

STM 605. Desk Top 5, NORAD wide exercise with senior battle staff involving a rather moderate invader problem. Only difficulties encountered were communications outages to Midwife. Surveillance picture clear from this unit.

7 Feb 63

FPS-26 construction handover carried out by 224868 F/L EJ Ward, AFHQ/DCEP.

13 Feb 63

Mr. G Girard, ADCHQ/SOCP carried out inspection visit of CPO department.

15 Feb 63

STM 605. Battle staff manning with Bangor. A/C Sharp, Bangor NORAD Sector Commander, accompanied by Col Thacker, USAF, and F/L Dowle visited unit. A/C Sharpe addressed Officers Mess Dinner guests.

18 - 20 Feb 63

200561 F/L GRO Wonnacott, 20672 F/L PW Croswell, ADCHQ/SOPA visited unit to carry out annual SOPA inspection.

20 Feb 63

STM 402. Battle staff manning with Tri-Region participation.

27 Feb 63

STM 33. Surveillance problem only with Midwife. Summary of Operations for Feb. Total intercepts:

Practice live

146

Synthetic

58

Surveillance activity – Total tracks identified were 1885. Unknowns: Nil. Emergencies: Nil.

2 Mar 63

"SHOCK WAVE 8". Senior battle staff with tactical action. 2 MAs out of 3 attempts – 1 MI attributed to AEF as Ftr radar became unserviceable. Radio contact was poor during most intercepts although did not cause any MIs. Surveillance picture was clear and good.

7 Mar 63

ECM Exercise – Boneyard Demonstration. CW jamming was first used with the FPS27 operating on frequency channel 25 showing a very evident strobe of condition 2 on the preview. At no time did a strobe or any indication of jamming occur on the operational scopes. DF was used with AC LOG in the area of the target since heavy storm in the area caused considerable clutter. Moisie mod CW was attempted reducing the condition on the preview however still no evidence of jamming on the operational scopes. The sweep jamming was completely unsuccessful.

6 & 20 Mar 63

STM 29 and 25. Surveillance problems only.

9 – 11 Mar 63

"SAGA" (Phase I & II). Large scale exercise with senior battle staff. Liability period covering approximately 56 hrs with most of the activities carried out on 9 Mar. Tac action on the first phase resulted in 4 MAs out of 6 attempts with both MIs attributed to air environment. Due to WX, second phase was postponed until 11 Mar with only 1 intercept carried out resulting in 1 MA. Surveillance picture was moderately good throughout.

15 & 22 Mar 63

STM 726 & 306. Battle staff exercises with Bangor sector. Category 2 level with moderate invader problems.

21 Mar 63

Move of Tower 4 to new location commenced. Move completed 2 Apr.

25 Mar 63

FPS-27 training for Radar Tech personnel commenced on unit. Two courses are scheduled – five week duration, with intake of 12 Sr. NCOs per course. First week of course attended by CE officers who received briefing on mechanical equipment. Instruction as carried out by Westinghouse engineers.

27 Mar 63

STM 605. Tri-Region exercise with senior battle staff. Some difficulties were encountered in the control aspect. Due to slow suppression of killed invaders in the Goose area, the number of interceptor sorties were high and a low number of invaders were left for engagement. Handovers, track suppression and TOR calls were limited to one line (31662) which created many delays in passing and receiving information. Summary of Operations for Mar. Total intercepts were:

Practice live

176

Synthetic

42

Fakers

10

Surveillance activity: Total tracks identified were 2750. Unknowns: Track P458 became UN on 22 Mar approximately 30 miles east of NK. Reason was given as no flight plan. Flight data was later supplied by ATC and correlated with track. Emergencies: Nil.

1 Apr 63

33538 FS R Stalker, TelMsupt(G) selected for Commissioning from the Ranks. Following airmen promotions announced:

To

   

Sgt.

212786 Cpl. WR Paddick

RdrTech

 

238917 Cpl JEB Martin

RdrTech

Cpl

LAC Bernard

ClkAdm

 

LAC Boras

FF

 

LAC Clarke

RdrTech

 

LAC Clarkson

ClkMed

3, 24 Apr 63

STM 30 and 29. Surveillance problems only with manual units.

5 Apr 63

STM 306. Battle staff exercise with BANORS.

9 Apr 63

244494W F/L KL Webb, ADCHQ/FSV carried out inspection of unit Messing facilities.

10 Apr 63

STM 401. Tri-region exercise with full battle staff. Surveillance picture good with no major problems encountered.

16 – 18 Apr 63

STM 402. NNR Level exercises with battle staff. On 16 Apr, exercise was merely a trial run in preparation for 18 Apr which was conducted for the benefit of VIPs at NNR HQ.

25 – 26 Apr 63

Major Live exercise. Senior battle staff exercise involving SAC aircraft. Tactical action resulted in 5 MAs out of 8 attempts. 3 MIs attributed to air environment. Only a small amount of jamming received on ground; electronic and mechanical condition 1. Aircrew experienced chaff. Surveillance picture very good. Summary of Operations for month of Apr. Total intercepts were:

Practice Live

58

Synthetic

74

Fakers

8

Surveillance activity: Total tracks identified were 2993. Unknowns: 5 Apr – P446, track originated NW of ZV. No flight plan available at the time. Track was IDFR as 2 KC-97s approximately 30 miles later with a late flight plan and IFF/SIF. 13 Apr – P426, no flight plan available. Track was on round robin flight with no inbound data on flight plan. Later IDFR as Mats aircraft with flight plan rev and IFF/SIF. Emergencies: Nil.

7 May 63

Visit of AOC, A/VM MM Hendrick to Station Moisie. Visiting party consisted of G/C AR Sinclair Compt, G/C HK Hollingsworth STSO, Lt Col Robinson, USAF, and S/L EA Carrigan, Regional Surgeon General Office. 47124 WO2 HR Gibbon ADC/Surg Reg – Sanitation inspection.

1, 7, 8, 15, 22, 29 May 63

STMS. Surveillance problems only with manual sites.

3, 24, 31 May 63

STMS. Battle staff exercises with BANORS.

9 – 10 May 63

Major live exercise. Senior battle staff, involving tactical action. Resulted in 2 MAs out of 4 attempts. 1 MI attributed to safety and 1 MI due to target fading prior to intercept. A limited amount of jamming received this unit. Electronic and mechanical condition 1 was highest condition. On the over all, the surveillance picture was good, although input of ident on a few tracks was over the normal criteria from 2 to 5 minutes.

13 May 63

32513 F/L MM Rutherford, 216648 F/L MG Anthony, ADCHQ/SOGT carried out ground training staff visit.

16 May 63

NORAD wide STM 405 under Desk Top Five for a three hour duration.

25 May 63

Unit celebrated 10th anniversary. S/L BD Madill, unit first CO, guest of honour for the occasion. Summary of Operations for May. Total intercepts were:

Practice live

108

Synthetic

36

Fakers

4

Surveillance activity: Total tracks identified was 2775. Unknowns: On 21 May – 2 unknowns; P425 and P426. P425 reclassified faker 6 minutes after initial pick-up time. Identified as 1 CF-100 Banjo 23. P426 reclassified faker 10 minutes after pick-up time as 1 CF-100 Banjo 24. No flight plan at this unit at time of initial pick-ups. Bangor passed info on these tracks by phone. Emergencies: Nil.