Ramore, ON

The plan to be followed for the take-over of this site was the "Joint Comprehensive Plan to the RCAF" issued jointly by the RCAF and USAF and dated 15 Aug 61.

F/O RT Macfarlane, SSupO designate, arrived on site and began familiarizing himself with USAF supply procedures in preparation for take-over of equipment. Generally speaking, all public equipment was to be taken over by the RCAF but USAF Non-appropriated Equipment (Equivalent to RCAF NPF) was to be made available to other USAF units that may desire it. Otherwise the latter items could be sold to the RCAF if required.

F/O SM Porter Pers/Adm, PAdO designate, arrived on site to assist the RCAF Project Officer with administrative work and to act in the capacity of Messes and Institutes Officer for the interim period.

S/L RD Forbes-Roberts, CO designate, presently serving at Montreal Sector HQ, Lac St. Denis, paid a brief visit to the site.

A/C JB Harvey, Chief Staff Officer, ADCHQ, visited the unit. F/O RA Burke Acc, SAO designate, reported for duty.

35 AC&W Squadron, RCAF, came into being on this date for administrative purposes, but operational and command control of the site was to remain with the USAF commander until 1 Jan 62. The unit became self-accounting for supply. The first large group of RCAF airmen reported (approximately 45) and were phased into the various sections to become familiar with their duties, working alongside their USAF counterparts who were gradually being transferred out. The buildings on the unit were inventoried and handed over to the RCAF by a USAF visiting team. F/L HR Chapman Air/P, COpsO designate, reported in.

The Civilian Personnel Officer, Mr. George Marr, reported and commenced hiring the necessary civilian personnel. Kitchen help were the most immediate need as the RCAF was to take-over food services on 17 Nov 61, at which time most of the USAF food services staff (all servicemen) would have departed.

The Kirkland Lake Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion invited the USAF and RCAF to take part in their Remembrance Day parade and Cenotaph ceremonies. One RCAF officer and a flight of airmen, together with a similar flight of USAF personnel, participated. The RCAF Project Officer and the USAF Commander were among the party at the reviewing stand, and each officer laid a wreath from his respective service.

F/O AL Mayhew Tech/CE, SCEO designate, reported. The USAF CE Officer, Mr. L Coughlan, was a locally hired civilian, who was retained by the RCAF as foreman of works.

F/L IA Small, Project Officer, was appointed Acting CO. The RCAF assumed control of food services for the unit, including ration accounting. The unit became self-accounting for pay on this date.

Rev. JH Walsh, of Matheson, Ont., an RCAF SupRes Chp(P), who had served the USAF, was appointed officiating Protestant clergyman for the unit.

G/C WA Hockney, Ottawa NORAD Sector Commander, visited the station and participated in a NORAD STM exercise.

The RCAF assumed responsibility for medical and dental care for RCAF and USAF personnel on the unit. 13 Dental Company, RCDC, Trenton, was to arrange for periodic visits by a dental officer. Arrangements were completed with the Neelands Clinic, Kirkland Lake, for their staff of doctors to provide services of a doctor on a "fee-per-service" basis when required. No medical officer was provided for the unit but a nursing sister was established to take charge of the Station Dispensary. The Officer’s Mess was formed with F/L HR Chapman as first PMC.

The Airmen’s Club was opened under RCAF auspices with Cpl. JE Carter as first PMC.

Responsibility for telecommunications maintenance was assumed by RCAF.

Six members of the Corps of Commissionaires commenced barrier guard and security patrol duties, relieving USAF personnel and RCAF airmen temporarily employed on this work.

S/L Forbes-Roberts reported on transfer. Father E Jubinville of Matheson, with Father A Deshaies as alternate, was appointed Officiating RC Clergyman for the unit.

Although 1 Jan 62 (D-Day) remained the effective date for complete control of the site by the RCAF, the official handover ceremony was held 20 Dec 61 because of the impending holiday season and the fact that all but one or two USAF personnel would have departed by 1 Jan. The ceremonies began in the lounge of the Multi-Purpose Building at 1500 hours before an audience of guests (See Appendices "A" and "B"). Major WJ Olsen, Commander of the 912^th Squadron, made the opening remarks, followed by Colonel RW DeVania who, on behalf of the Commander USAF Air Defence Command, officially handed over Ramore Air Station to the Royal Canadian Air Force. G/C WA Hockney, acting on behalf of the Air Officer Commanding, RCAF Air Defence Command, made the acceptance speech, following the signing of the Handing-over Certificate.

The official party and guests then proceeded to the flag area near the Station Headquarters Building for the outdoor ceremony. Before an honour guard of RCAF airmen in command of F/O DG Phinney, the official party paid compliments while the Stars and Stripes and the Canadian Red Ensign were lowered simultaneously to the playing of the Star Spangled Banner over the public address system.

Then the RCAF Ensign and the Canadian Red Ensign were raised simultaneously during the playing of O Canada. During the ceremonies, USAF airmen flanked the flag area. To their rear, on both sides, guests and spectators watched the proceedings.

Immediately after the ceremonies, a reception was held in the lounge of the Officer’s Mess.

Christmas Day, and for the first time at Ramore Air Station it was celebrated in the traditional manner of the RCAF with the officers and senior NCOs serving Christmas dinner to the airmen. 1^st Lt. Owen Howell, one of the last USAF officers to leave the base, waited on a table also.

The RCAF assumed full control of the station. On this date, the section heads were the following:

F/O RT Macfarlane SSupO was promoted to the rank of F/L effective 1 Jan 62.

According to AFHQ OrgO 2.51 dated 11 Sep 61, the role of 35 AC&Q Squadron, RCAF Station Ramore is to:

1. provide surveillance and control facilities for interceptor aircraft;
2. process radar data and feed track information into Ottawa Air Defence Sector (Ottawa ADS) of the Northern NORAD Region, or as otherwise directed; and
3. provide flight following service on request within unit capability.

Operational control is vested in the Commander Ottawa NORAD Sector and administrative control in AOC ADC.

Establishment on this date was:

Grand Total - 213

*- 1 S/L position to be deleted when W/C becomes available.

** - 2 F/L positions to be deleted when 2 S/Ls become available.

In addition to the above, six Corps of Commissionaires personnel were also established as Non-ceiling Civilians.

Included on the establishment were the following ME vehicles:

This unit is equipped with AN/FPS-3C search radar and AN/FPS-6B height finder.

F/L RW Kaye Air/P reported to fill the position of CAdO.

Operations Section carried out numerous interceptions during this period, including STM, ECM, profile, Triangulation, Big Blast, Cats Eye, Dutchmaster, Shockwave etc. All unknown tracks during this period were identified. No emergency tracks were encountered during the period.

G/C KC Cameron, ADC/SCESO, visited the unit to brief telecommunications personnel on a new programme for increased telecom maintenance responsibility.

The search radar and height finder underwent overhaul by Canadian Aviation Electronics Limited.

The Sgts. Mess commenced operations with WO2 RH Steele as first PMC. 90486 F/L WGR Johnstone Air/P was promoted to F/L effective 1 Jan 62.

The GATR site located north-west of the station 17 miles distant by road, was accepted from the contractor this date.

The following airmen were promoted as indicated:

4 Apr 62

The digital data converter (AN/FST-2) was accepted from the contractor.