Narrative Report
RCAF Station Puntzi Mountain, BC
7 Jan 66
S/L HR MacAuley, Tech/Tel, arrived from CFHQ to take over the duties of CGEO.
10 Jan 66
F/L WJ Holland, Air/P, arrived from MACHQ to take over duties as CAdO.
13 Jan 66
The AOC, ADC, A/V/M MD Lister, accompanied by the SPSO, G/C JC Hovey, arrived for an official visit. They departed the same day via service aircraft.
21 Jan 66
F/L Emon, former CAdO departed on leave prior to reporting to IAM and the CF-101 OTU.
29 Jan 66
W/C Avent officially opened the new Puntzi Mountain "Frontier" Curling Club. The opening bonspiel was held 29 – 30 Jan with the "A" even being won by S/L MacAuley’s rink and the "B" event by LAC Magura’s rink.
30 Jan 66
W/C Avent departed for Seattle to attend a Commanding Officers meeting in 25th NORAD Sector. After the conference, W/C and Mrs. Advent proceeded on leave visiting California and Nevada. S/L MacAuley assumed temporary command of the station in the absence of W/C Advent.
4 Feb 66
Annual Winter Carnival commenced.
5 Feb 66
Twelve floats entered in the Carnival parade. The best float was won by the CE Section and best ice sculpture was won by the Officers/Sgts. Mess. Numerous other events were held and the participants from the Cpls./Airmen’s Club emerged as overall winners. A Station Dance climaxed the Carnival activities and the crowning of the 1966/67 Queen took place – the winner being the Airmen’s/Cpls. Club candidate, Mrs. Smith.
12 – 13 Feb 66
A group of Williams Lake businessmen and their wives visited Puntzi Mountain to participate in a mixed bonspiel along with entries from the immediate area.
14 Feb 66
W/C WJ Argue, SOPA ADC, visited the station on an annual PA inspection.
23 – 25 Feb 66
Sgt. Laycock and one airman ArmTech completed the annual armament inspection.
1 – 4 Mar 66
F/L Hind plus one NCO arrived from ADC SOAF Branch to carry out a surprise audit.
6 – 9 Mar 66
F/L K Ford, ADC, arrived to carry out an inspection of the MSE Section.
7 – 9 Mar 66
Otter 3694 was flown out to Edmonton and Downsview for overhaul.
8 Mar 66
Otter 9418 arrived as a replacement aircraft.
19 Mar 66
St. Patrick’s Day Dance held.
22 – 25 Mar 66
F/L D Vincent, ADC/SOPA Branch, arrived to carry out an inspection. F/L R Baker, SAO Station Kamloops, arrived to carry out an NPF Audit.
30 Apr 66
The month of April was a very quiet one from the station viewpoint. Plans were drawn up to renovate the softball field, physical fitness testing commenced, renovations to the Cpls./Airmen’s Club bar commenced and with the disappearance of the snow, a general station spring clean-up commenced.
7 May 66
A station golf tournament was held to mark the opening of the 1966 golf season.
10 May 66
F/L, SO Religious Admin (RC) ADC, visited the station.
11 May 66
The annual spring Officers vs. Sergeants Fish Derby was held.
13 May 66
Lt. Colonel Jensen, USAF, and W/C Lawrence, 25th NORAD Sector staff officers, presented an Intelligence briefing.
14 May 66
A Station Sports Banquet was held.
1 Jun 66
Admiral K Dyer, DCofP and EA, paid a visit to the station.
9 Jun 66
DM audit arrived.
16 Jun 66
The Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, consisting of 40 people, visited the station and were given a briefing, tour of the unit, and a buffet supper.
20 Jun 66
Work commenced on a station float to be entered in the Williams Lake and Tatla Lake Stampede Parades.
21 Jun 66
Work has commenced to erect a permanent antenna for the TV system.
1 Jul 66
The station float entered in the Williams Lake Stampede Parade was awarded a cash prize as being the most original in design.
22 Jul 66
The station provided fuel for 2 helicopters working with the Army Survey Group working out of Tweedsmuir Park.
24 Jul 66
A hut has been moved in place at the Curling Club and renovations have commenced to make it into a Clubhouse.
31 Aug 66
August was a quiet month with little interest of a historical nature to report. Many personnel were away on annual leave, etc.
1 Sep 66
S/L RE Forbes, SOPA/PA5, visited the station on the annual Food Services visit.
10 Sep 66
The annual Puntzi Mountain Closed Golf Tournament was held.
27 Sep 66
Station personnel and residents of the area were treated to a fine evening of entertainment when the "Barkersville Revu" troupe visited the base and put on a spectacular show.
30 Sep 66
Word received from ADC that the unit was to cease operations at 302359Z. Base ceased operations and plans commenced for unit disbandment.
12 Oct 66
A detailed ADC Implementation Plan for the disbandment of 55 Radar Squadron, Puntzi Mountain, was received from CHQ, and unit action commenced upon receipt to put the plan into action at station level.
27 Oct 66
During the latter portion of the month, W/C DC Liss, SSOSup ADC, CHQ Disbandment Coordinator and his party of "experts" visited the unit to discuss disbandment problems. A/C AC Hull, Chief of Staff, ADC, visited the unit as reviewing officer to witness the closing out parade and attend a Mess Dinner in the Officers Mess during the evening. A/C Hull addressed all assembled ranks and expressed the thanks of the AOC to the officers and men of Puntzi Mountain for a job well done.
30 Nov 66
With the arrival of the Western Region GEEIA team, dismantling of electronic equipment from the upper site commenced. Equipment was dismantled, crated and moved to the lower site airstrip for air and road shipment back to the USA. Vans and USAF C-124 aircraft were used for the transportation of approximately 5000,000 lbs. of equipment. All NPF outlets were closed during the month with the exception of the officers and Sergeants Messes and the Cpls./Airmen’s Club. Numerous personnel were SOS during the month and only those required for dismantling, packaging, transportation, security, etc., were retained.
15 Dec 66
Majority of personnel posted. Unit down to rear party status effective 1 Dec 66. Anticipate final closure date 28 Dec 66.