Puntzi Mountain, BC

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Puntzi Mountain
1 Nov 62 to 31 May 63

F/O BK Burnett arrived to take up duties of the SSupO. He is the first member of the RCAF to be transferred to Station Puntzi Mountain.

F/O DA Dobie arrived on transfer. He is the RCAF project officer for the phase over of the unit and, as such, will be in complete charge of all aspects of taking over the unit from the USAF commander. After D-Day he will assume the duties of STelO of the unit.

F/O GG McCrae, the STelO pro tem, reported from Station Mont Apica.

F/L EH Miller, the PAdO, reported in on transfer.

F/O DL Thompson reported on transfer – he will be assigned for duty as Radar Officer.

Major Adlem and Captain Lamont of the RCASC Deport in Vancouver visited the unit to discuss the supply of rations. It was decided that rations will arrive each Wednesday and Friday by truck from Vancouver. The Army officers foresaw no problems in supplying rations to the unit.

RCAF officers on strength attended a meeting as observers at which the USAF accepted the AN/FPS-7 radar and the AN/FST-2 SAGE computer from the contractors.

A message, K100 dated 16 Nov 62, was sent to ADC HQ pointing out the accommodation problem which will arise later on during the phase over when the RCAF personnel arrive in while the USAF airmen are still on site.

A representative of the Civil Service Employees Association prematurely released wage rates for prevailing rate employees. Considerable discontent was caused among the USAF employees who will be transferring to the RCAF as these rates have not been approved for this area and do not allow for isolation allowance.

The Project Officer is concerned with the low skill level of technicians being transferred in. For example, the establishment calls for: Radar: 1 WO1; 1 FS and 5 Sgts.; whereas personnel transferred in to fill these positions are: 1 WO2; 1 FS and 4 Cpls.

An article in the "Hub" the Station St. Hubert newspaper arrived on the unit. Due to the derogatory nature of the article (the USAF commander destroyed all copies he received) F/O Dobie sent a letter to the Editor pointing out that this unit is not as black as painted in his article. A copy of the article and F/O Dobie’s letter are attached.

A team from AFHQ and ADC HQ officers arrived by Dakota to assess the accommodation problem. Their solution was to convert two of the Supply buildings to barrack accommodation. The buildings will house 30 airmen and will relieve the congestion in the permanent barracks. They expect that construction will start sometime in January.

Despite fears that it would be very difficult to obtain civilian employees to work at Puntzi Mountain, twelve cooks and kitchen helpers arrived today from Vancouver. The first draft of RCAF personnel arrived on the unit. They were airlifted in by USAF Dakota aircraft.

The RCAF took over the GATR site. The USAF are pleasantly surprised at the high standard of technical knowledge and maintenance exhibited by the RCAF tradesmen.

Mr. Jack Graham, the CPO at Station Holberg, arrived on five days TD to help set up the civilian administration. Our CPO, Mr. Staff Thompson is in Vancouver working with the Civil Service Commission prior to returning here to take up his duties.

The RCAF commenced running the Wet Canteen, Snack Bar and Central Warehouse today. A shipment of forty beds arrived today from Station Kamloops. Due to the shortage of airmen’s accommodation extra beds will have to be placed in all rooms. The result will be overcrowding, but only until new barrack space becomes available.

RCAF Station Puntzi Mountain became self-accounting for all purposes today. Orderly Officer (Sgt. to F/L) and Orderly Corporal (Cpls. and LACs) were instituted. First pay parade held today. The phase over continues to proceed smoothly with all objectives being met as scheduled. The RCAF took over operation of the Combined Mess.

The General Electric technical representatives completed a local course for RCAF radar technicians on the UPA-35 and SIF.

The CPO resigned his job due to poor health after four days on the job.

The Combined Mess establishment is now filled, both service and civilian positions. Fourteen RCAF personnel reported on transfer.

First Charge Case – an airman who celebrated Christmas too well resulting in a fracas which had to be quelled by USAF Air Police. ($10.00 fine and barred from Wet Canteen indefinitely).

ADC HQ has been informed that the existing Butler building hangar, while suitable for the USAF Beaver aircraft, is too small for the Otter aircraft which the RCAF may provide on 1 Feb. The hangar is not wide enough to accommodate the Otter’s wing. Due to prolonged bad flying weather it was necessary to send vehicles into Williams Lake to pick up 13 airmen who were waiting for transportation to the base.

The Officer’s Mess became the responsibility of the RCAF today. F/O BK Burnett is the first PMC.

The "Motor Pool" is now the MSE Section under RCAF management.

At a USAF-RCAF meeting today it was decided that all types of living accommodation would be critical until 1 Feb at least. ADCHQ was requested to keep TD personnel to a minimum during the next month.

Following the transfer of this unit to RCAF control on 1 Feb a small element of USAF operations personnel comprising of 5 officers, 25 airmen, plus an NCO clerk, will remain on the unit to handle the operations function. They will remain until the unit is SAGE’d – approximately 1 Jul 63. The following message from 4602^nd Support Wing, USAF, spells out the USAF/RCAF responsibilities in so far as operations are concerned:

"Group III site phasing plan provided that RCAF assume full responsibility for station operation and air defence operations at the station after D-Day. USAF personnel remaining on station after D-Day are under RCAF jurisdiction for operational and site administrative control. Site operating procedures directed by the RCAF will be utilized unless in conflict with NORAD procedures. These operational differences should be resolved by the NORAD sector or region exercising operational jurisdiction directly with RCAF ADCHQ St. Hubert. USAF personnel remaining on RCAF stations will conform to RCAF administrative practices and procedures of the station."

A Canadian General Electric team arrived to start installation of the FPS-26 height finder. The job is expected to take three months. Due to shortage of accommodation on the base it was necessary for the team to rent a trailer to live in. Unfortunately, the first night of occupancy the temperature dropped to 44 below and the temperature in the trailer went to a cool 38 above. Arrangements were made to install skirting around the base of the trailer and insulate the fuel lines to the oil heaters.

S/L BR Pritchard, SMO at Station St. Hubert, arrived on TD to provide medical coverage for the unit until the RCAF aircraft arrives.

A construction engineering team arrived from the USAF 4602^nd Support Wing, Ottawa, to transfer the Real Property Account to the RCAF.

The RCAF took over radar maintenance and wire maintenance today. The wire maintenance will be looked after by contract with the BC Telephone Company.

The RCAF has agreed to continue the arrangements whereby residents of Puntziville are supplied with water, fuel oil, and electricity for $20.15 a month.

The RCAF Commanding Officer, W/C FD Avent, CD, arrived on transfer today. The Officer’s wives organized a party in the Mess in honour of the new CO’s arrival. The RCAF Sergeant’s Mess opened today. With the opening of this facility all anticipated NPF accounting outlets are now operating.

The BC Corps of Commissionaires have informed the unit that they will not provide guards for this unit as contracted. Thus, we will have to use airmen on guard duty until the matter of higher pay for the Commissionaires is settled.

F/L A Manara, a medical officer from Station St. Hubert, arrived to replace S/L Pritchard on TD. (see entry for 7 Jan)

The formal handing-over ceremony was held today. While the base will not be transferred to RCAF operational control until 2359 hours on 31 Jan 63, a ceremony at which RCAF and USAF officers participate is usually held about a week prior to the actual hand over date.

Unfortunately due to bad weather Group Captain Olsson and Colonel Preston, who were to represent their respective services, were unable to fly out of McChord AFB. As a result the ceremony proceeded here without them. Colonel Veneziano, Commander of the 4602n^d Support Wing, and Wing Commander Avent officiated in their places.

Simultaneously with the ceremony at Puntzi Mountain G/C Olsson and Colonel Preston were signing the necessary documents at 25^th Air Division HQ at McChord AFB.

Copies of the speeches made during the ceremony are included in this document.

On signing the taking-over certificate W/C Avent signed for the following property and equipment (in US funds):

A farewell party was held in the Officer’s Mess for Major Robert A Wigen, the USAF Commander, at which he was presented with an engraved silver tray from the RCAF officers.

At sunset today all available USAF military personnel paraded and carried out the American "Retreat" ceremony in front of the flag poles. During this ceremony the "Stars and Stripes" was lowered for the last time on this base to be replaced with the Canadian Ensign tomorrow.

A USAF airman, Airman First Class EE Erfurth, reported sick this morning at approximately 1115 hours and his ailment was diagnosed as acute appendicitis by F/L Manara. Efforts to arrange an air charter flight to Williams Lake were unsuccessful. Station Comox agreed to send a Neptune a/c as Station Vancouver were having difficulty obtaining an aircraft and the weather there was below limits. However an aircraft from 121 KU arrived at approximately 1500 hours and transported the patient to Williams Lake where an appendectomy was performed at 1900 hours. (It was later discovered that about the time of our call to Station Vancouver the aircraft with HM the Queen and party had been diverted into Sea Island without notice – hence the delay).

Wing Commander Avent, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. This morning I have the pleasure of welcoming you to this ceremony designed to formally transfer Puntzi Mountain Air Station from control of the United States Air Forces to that of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Men of the RCAF have been at this station during a period of extensive briefings and familiarizations. Their acceptance of the responsibility of this site and superior technical knowledge insures a continued high performance and accomplishment of the defence mission. The efficient manner in which they have completed their task has allowed a change in command of this installation without requiring discontinuance of operational surveillance. My compliments to Wing Commander Avent and his men for the outstanding manner in which this has been done.

I am convinced that the teamwork of our two countries will continue even stronger in the future than it has in the past in a joint effort to make our free world a stronger and better place to live.

On behalf of the USAF, Major Wigen, and all of the personnel who have been assigned to the 917^th AC&W Squadron, I wish to thank the people of the RCAF for their excellent demonstration of friendship and cooperation. To the men of the RCAF who will man this important link in the Pinetree chain, my heartiest good wishes for a successful and enjoyable assignment.

The taking over of the radar site at Puntzi Mountain by the RCAF marks another step in implementing the Pinetree Line agreement signed a short time ago by the Governments of the United States and Canada. It brings RCAF personnel into a community where the relationship between the civil population and the officer and airmen of the USAF at the base has been cordial, friendly and mutually helpful.

I am sure that RCAF personnel will, in their dual role as citizens and military men, fit into the life of this progressive area and that they will soon become active participants in community affairs.

I would like to compliment the American Commander on the condition of his base and to thank him for handing it over to the RCAF in such good operational condition.

The USAF and the RCAF have worked side by side in the Pinetree for almost a decade. We shall miss the assistance of USAF personnel in operating this important part of the North American Air Defence System. We know, however, that the two Air Forces will continue to work together under the broader aegis of NORAD, and that in effect we shall continue to work as a team with one goal in mind – to discourage anyone from attacking our two countries.

I wish to say God speed to our American friends and to assure the people of Puntzi Mountain that the RCAF is looking forward to its role in the community.

First day of RCAF administration.

Although it was understood that an Otter a/c would be provided to this unit to replace the USAF Beaver aircraft. The aircraft is required for emergency medical use, for personnel transportation between the unit and Williams Lake, personal business in town, etc. The CO requested CHQ to send a crew and aircraft in on TD until the UE aircraft arrives, or alternatively, send the aircraft with a qualified instructor who could check out the CO on the aircraft. This unit is now without professional medical personnel or an aircraft to fly emergency medical cases to a hospital.

At a meeting called by the CO and attended by the COpsO, CTSO and the CAdO, the duties and responsibilities of USAF personnel remaining on the site were clarified. The following main points were agreed:

• The COpsO, being responsible to the CO for operations, will be in charge of all personnel employed in the tower area.
• USAF personnel will be nominated to serve on the Officer’s Mess, Airmen’s Club, Airmen’s Messing and the Recreation committee.

Early spring thaws have washed out part of the road between the unit and Williams Lake, and the road is almost impassable to vehicles. CHQ were again requested to provide an Otter aircraft on a priority basis.

Peaking of the GATR equipment began today. The CGE team raised the radome on the FPS-26 radar.

The CO has decided that the Otter aircraft will be scheduled for trips to Williams Lake on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week. Instructions for passenger bookings and town business procedures were promulgated in DROs.

S/L Lemieux in Otter a/c took Mr. Stafford Thompson, a civilian from Puntziville, to Williams Lake for emergency treatment for a fractured ankle.

F/L AJ Weekes reported on transfer. He is the new pilot for the Otter aircraft.

Word received today that an Army General Purpose Hut will be erected to provide accommodation for 40 men. This is the solution to the accommodation problem mentioned previously (see entry for 30 Nov 62).

Otter aircraft statistics for February were:

At the request of the Indian Agent in Alexis Creek, W/C Avent and F/L Weekes in Otter 3694 proceeded to Nemaia Valley in an attempt to pick up two Indian children which were suffering from pneumonia. The aircraft touched down on the frozen lake but took off immediately when the ice began to crack under the weight of the aircraft. The mission was unsuccessful.

WO2 McKinnon and FS McKay, of the Construction Engineering Unit, Calgary, arrived to survey the site as a preliminary to erecting the temporary barrack block (see entry for 26 Feb). The Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command, Air Vice-Marshal MM Hendrick, with a group of staff officers visited the unit today. Accompanying the AOC were:

On their arrival they toured the lower area, visiting all sections and meeting section heads. The tour was followed by a light luncheon in the Officer’s Mess. At 1300 hours the visiting party was briefed by each station section head on matters of interest, and problems in his particular area. Following coffee, the group proceeded to the Operations area for a tour of the telecom and Operations facilities. The party departed at 1615 hours.

The unit held its first station parade. The parade formed up in front of BB7 and marched to the inspection area in front of the flag poles. After inspecting the troops W/C Avent presented the CD to Cpl. JA Binns. Peaking of radar and communications facilities progressing very well. The SAGE sub-systems testing date of 1 Apr appears realistic. If present rate of progress continues USAF personnel may be able to leave some weeks prior to the scheduled 1 Jul SAGE date.

In order to simplify aircraft control and records procedures and clarify second line maintenance responsibility, the Otter a/c is to be transferred to the establishment of 442 (Aux.) Squadron, Vancouver, and annotated for permanent detachment to Puntzi Mountain.

19 Auxiliary Wing HQ, Vancouver, advised that a weekly flight will be made to this unit utilizing C-45 aircraft of 442 or 443 (Aux.) Squadrons. An Auxiliary MO will be aboard to hold sick parade. The flights will be scheduled for each Saturday with Sunday as an alternative in case of bad weather. The aircraft will be available to transport personnel to Vancouver as required.

The unit was visited by the Telecom team from ADC HQ which inspected the telecom installations and workshops in the Operations and GATR buildings. The team commended the CO on the excellent condition of the telecom equipment and the approach being taken for SAGE testing and peaking. They recommend that key personnel from other FPS-7 sites be sent to Puntzi Mountain on TD for indoctrination.

Otter statistics for Mar were:

Peaking of radar and communications almost completed. Unit is readying for sub-systems testing but data circuits cannot be provided by BC Tel. They are still testing and have stated that the circuits will be turned up on 15 Apr.

RCAF personnel of this unit voted in the Federal elections on 1, 2 and 3 Apr. The percentage of personnel casting their ballots was 79.2, exactly the same percentage as voted throughout the country on the civilian polling day – 8 Apr.

Lt. RN Davidson, Command Postal Officer, visited the unit to inspect the postal facilities. In his report he stated that the mail room was being run in an efficient manner and had no major observations to report.

A Mrs. Ferris, a resident of Tatla Lake took an overdose of barbiturate. At the request of the civilian doctor F/L Weekes flew the patient to Williams Lake for emergency hospital treatment. Mrs. McCrae, the unit civilian nurse, accompanied the patient, who was saved.

Western Electric Company technicians completed all sub-systems testing that do not require data circuits. The data circuits still have not been provided by BC Telephone. The circuits cannot be turned up due to the noise problem on the VHF circuit between Puntzi Mountain and Timothy Mountain. BC Tel are still carrying out tests in an effort to overcome the problem.

Otter 3694 with F/L Weekes and LAC Lee departed for Vancouver for periodic overhaul. Due to the excellent cooperation of the technical staff the inspection was completed in a minimum of time and the aircraft returned to base at 1630 hours 20 Apr.

The construction team arrived from CEU, Calgary, today to start erection of the new barrack block. We informed ADC HQ of the problem of lack of data circuits and the consequent slippage of the 1 Jul SAGE date. As the USAF personnel on site must be repatriated during July CHQ was requested to take action to either extend the tour of USAF personnel or provide RCAF replacements.

S/L Appleby and F/L Brewster, SOPA staff from ADC HQ, carried out an inspection of the Administrative and M&I functions of the unit. Their report stated in part: ".. a well established station in both areas of unit administration inspected by the Command visiting team. The SOPA staff was particularly impressed with the favourable state of morale generated at this isolated site".

BC Telephone promised today that data circuits would be in operation by the 27 May at the latest. If the circuits are turned up by that date then the original SAGE date (1 Jul) may still be met. Otter aircraft statistics for Apr were:

This reflects a considerable drop in the amount of freight carried.

The Snack Bar was handed to a civilian concessionaire. It was found that manning the snack bar with airmen under the NPF was not a paying proposition. The agreement calls for 10% of gross sales monthly or $50.00 which ever is the larger.

ADC HQ advised today that our SAGE Date is being queried at AFHQ. In the meantime 19 FtrCops and 6 officers are being transferred in to take over the manual operations function from the USAF element.

A call was received from the Williams Lake Detachment, RCMP, for aid in searching for an automobile proceeding west in the direction of Bella Coola. The driver was a suspected rapist. F/L Weekes was in Williams Lake with the Otter. He took off and spotted the car near Kleena Kleene. The RCMP patrol was informed by radio and the suspect was arrested at Anaheim Lake.

The monthly flying rate for the Otter a/c has been increased from 30 to 45 hours a month. No change in the three-a-week flying schedule to Williams Lake will be made at present. S/L McCaffrey of ADC HQ inspected messing facilities during a two-day visit. In her report she said, "a satisfactory standard of food services has been achieved during the six months the RCAF has been responsible for messing. This is particularly note worthy, because due to the remote location of the unit food services personnel have encountered a number of problems."

BC Telephone were unable to supply the data circuits as promised. (see entry for 30 Apr).

Otter aircraft statistics for May were: