Moisie, QC

Secret

211 AW Squadron is located adjacent to the village of Moisie, fourteen miles east of Seven Islands in the Province of Quebec. The primary function of the unit is early warning radar. The initial establishment was three officers and one hundred and four airmen and civilians. This establishment was based on an eight hour a day, 5 day week operation. Since that time the establishment has been revised to one hundred and fifteen, which includes six officers.

On 25 May 53, the advance party, consisting of one officer, P/O OA Blezard, Resident Engineering Officer, and nine airmen arrived at Station Moisie via ATC North Star. The following day the detachment commander, F/L BD Madill arrived via CPA to take command of the detachment. At this time, the detachment was responsible to AMC; was self-accounting for Supply, and attached to 11 TSU in Montreal for pay accounting.

At this time the General Contractor was still on the station finishing his contract. Although a number of barrack blocks were complete, and had been accepted by DND, there were no furnishings available and station personnel stayed in Seven Islands and used the facilities of the contractor’s mess.

On June 15 the first shipload of equipment and furnishings arrived in Seven Islands aboard the SS North Coaster. After being unloaded, taken on charge, and distributed throughout the station, personnel officially occupied quarters as of 15 June 1953.

During the period 15 June to 24 August 53, station organization was taking form and station personnel were increasing as officers and airmen were posted to this unit. Also, delivery of equipment, both station and radar, increased.

On June 30 53, the General Contractor’s contract expired and on 1 July 53, the RCAF formally took over the station and became responsible for station security, discipline, etc. Although the general contract had come to an end, numerous sub-contractors remained to complete their work which was concerned mainly with the PMQs. During the month of July, the first families arrived and the first PMQs were occupied.

On 11 Aug 53 an inspection party consisting of one officer and three civilians of officer’s status visited the station from AMCHQ. The visit was mainly concerned with completion of general construction, installation dates of radar and ancillary equipment and approximate limited operational dates. Again on 27 Aug 53 a party of officers from ADCHQ made an informal inspection of the unit. Their main interest was station organization in general and the probable operational date.

On 24 August 53, the engineer and technicians of the electronics contractor, RCA Victor Co. arrived on the unit and proceeded with the installation of the main radar and radio communications system. By 18 October 53 the radar equipment was ready for flight trials and trials were scheduled for 18 October to 20 October 53. Due to equipment failures, the trials were unsuccessful and were re-scheduled for 21 November 53. This time the equipment passed all the tests. On 21 December 53, the Main Radar, as an electrical installation, was accepted by DND Inspection Services, on behalf of the RCAF, subject to a number of deficiencies.

On 15 Sept 53 the unit was officially taken over by F/L BD Madill, ADC, from AMC. At that time the detachment commander became the Commanding Officer of the unit. As of this date the unit became entirely the responsibility of ADCHQ. At present the officer establishment and the position held are as follows:

(BD Madill) F/L
Commanding Officer
211 AW Squadron Moisie, PQ