Ramore, ON

The major function of this unit is to:

1. collect, discriminate and transmit to a designated SAGE Centre Radar data appearing within the area of coverage; and
2. provide support services as detailed under sections.

1. Summary of Unit Activities

During the past year, the operation of the unit has been converted to SAGE. As part of the normal requirements of the NORAD system, the unit participated in exercises as required by NNRHQ and ADC. During the summer months, as part of Operation Checkerboard, the unit carried on with a reduced staff as required.

The number of transfers to and from the unit were considered to be compatible with that of the previous year.

Itemized details of the sectional functions are dealt with separately under the various headings outlined below.

2. Operations

The FPS-27 installation was completed and SAGEd in by 1 Jan 64 and placed into operation 19 Mar 64.

On the first check carried out during April, it was found that in certain sections, a number of errors were being made. A second check carried out in August indicated that satisfactory results were now being obtained.

The unit completed normal SAGE and Mode III during the year with no particular problems being encountered. Suitable operational training was carried out to ensure all operations personnel were made fully aware of the manual responsibilities remaining.

A number of major exercises such as Cree Feather, Naskapi Jewel, and Naskapi Knife as laid down by NNR/ONS were participated in with satisfactory results.

During the period 15 Jun to 31 Dec, exercise Cree Dance was carried out as this unit’s participation in the Checkerboard Operation of ONS.

3. Training

In addition to the normal trade advancement training conducted under the direction of the SGTO, the following special courses were given on this unit:

The following personnel attended courses off the unit during the year:

To facilitate better comprehension, the activities carried out in the technical field are indicated in the following breakdown:

1. Radar - FPS-27 was installed, SAGEd in and operational by Mar 64. TCU/ASTRA equipment was installed and SAGEd in by October. GEEIA moved FPS6-GCA, installed the OA2325A, removed the FPS-3 and dismantled the Radome. The GPA-36 (Manual SIF) was re-installed by station personnel. Northern Electric Company overhauled the GPS-T2, GPA-30, GLH-501 and 15J1D. Canadian General Electric installed solid state rectifiers on the FPS-26 as a project to replace vacuum tubes in the HVPS. They have proven quite satisfactory. A test equipment Calibration Van visited the unit in February and October. An antenna farm overhaul was conducted at GATR Site by RCA personnel.
2. Construction - Throughout the year, routine and preventative maintenance was carried out in all sections, the access bridge, and roads. In addition, the following construction projects were carried out:

1. The Headquarters Building was renovated to allow for the move of the Station Orderly Room to the north-east corner of the building with a separate room being built to accommodate the Mail Room and Central Registry. In order to do this, it was necessary to have a complete sub-floor installed in the area formerly used as a garage by the USAF.
2. The Accounts Section, as such, was moved to the space formerly occupied by the Station Orderly Room in Headquarters Building. A separate burglar-proof office which contained a built-in safe, was made for the SAO.
3. With the additional personnel occupying Headquarters Building, washroom facilities were expanded.
4. The space formerly occupied by the Accounts Section in the Mess Hall Building was converted into a TV Lounge and Reading Room for aircraftsmen and corporals.
5. Exit lights were installed in the barracks.
6. Renovations were carried out in the MSE office.
7. The Station Fire Alarm system was revised to provide more efficient alerting.
8. Snowplowing and sanding kept the roads in good condition throughout the winter months.
9. New counter space was installed in sub-stores in the Operations Site to ensure better security of equipment.

3. Logistics

In addition to the normal supply action being carried out, the following items of major equipment were handled:

1. Station wagon allotted to Station Ramore from Station Downsview arrived 13 October.
2. Station wagon A-11 received from Uplands.
3. Station wagon A-10 transferred to APDAL.
4. Tractor 74H21-1416 shipped to Bagotville.
5. Tractor 74H21-1913 received from Station Armstrong.
6. Half ton 1961 Dodge shipped to Station Senneterre.
7. Truck, ambulance, received and converted to truck, van, in accordance with QTO 564 and Log 9820. Truck is being used for transportation to and from GATR Site.
8. A-17 Vehicle written off 11 Apr and turned over to Crown disposal.
9. Massey-Harris tractor H-33-1495 sold through disposal to Iroquois Sales and Service.

5. Administration

During the year, the following changes took place, which facilitated the smoother operation of the administrative section:

1. Separate office for the CAdO and a larger officer for the CO, provided better working conditions for both.
2. Due to the physical combining of Central Registry and the unit Mail Room, the staff is able to provide better service.
3. The AFP office was transferred from the Admin Building to the Guard House which provides better control over security personnel.

Major changes in the establishment were the deletion of the Nursing Sister position, and the up-grading of rank positions in the Tech Tel branch.

4. Religious Services - Religious services are conducted by officiating clergymen of the Roman Catholic and Protestant affiliation. During the spring and summer months, Ramore-Holtyre congregations join the RCAF personnel for Protestant services in the unit chapel. Visits were made from Command Headquarters by representatives of both faiths.
1. Medical - Due to the deletion of the Nursing Sister position from the unit establishment, the medical staff now consists of a Sergeant and an LAC Med A’s. Due to the proximity of this unit to Matheson and Kirkland Lake, contracts are made with civilian doctors for the care of personnel requiring medication or hospitalization. On occasion, this unit is called upon to provide ambulance and/or first aid services in the event of highway accidents and, on occasion, other civilian emergencies.
2. Messes and Institutes - The Messes and Institutes of the unit are administered through the CAdO by means of monthly meetings and are found to be operating satisfactorily.

6. Organization

No significant changes took place in the organization of the unit during the past year.

7. Official Visits and Inspections

During the past year, the following visits and inspections took place at this unit:

1. A/V/M Hendrick, G/C Olsen and G/C Cameron visited the unit on 25 Feb.
2. F/L Brewster made SOPA inspection on 5 Mar.
3. AVM Lister and party visited the unit in November.
4. S/L Mould and S/L Lahaie visited the unit in connection with religious administration.
5. G/C Cameron, ADC, visited the unit 5 Feb.
6. Major Eacrett and S/L Manning, Regional Surgeon’s Office, visited the unit in February, to discuss medical matters.
7. DM Auditors carried out an inspection on 25 May.
8. S/L Murray, CO Station Armstrong; S/L Thompson, CO Station Pagwa; W/C Cameron, CO Station Barrington, visited the unit on liaison duties.

8. Recreation

During the past year, the Recreation Committee, composed of representatives of all ranks, under the guidance of Cpl. Olive, RecSpec, set up and carried out an active Recreation programme. A few of the more pertinent activities were:

1. Track and field meet was held on 28 August, in which all service and civilian personnel participated.
2. Four teams curled weekly at the local curling rink.
3. A station team was entered in the Ramore District Broomball League.
4. Representatives of the station entered four golf tournaments at the local golf clubs.
5. Softball, broomball, volleyball, and basketball teams were entered in competition against other units in the area.
6. physical fitness classes were held Monday to Friday from July to September.
7. Dances and/or bingos were held in the various messes as well as other forms of social activity. Inter-Mess competitions and Games Nights as well as a Games Night for the Royal Canadian Legion were held during the year.
8. A bridge club is in operation and enjoyed by all bridge enthusiasts weekly.
9. In addition to the inter-section bowling league for service personnel, a Mixed League is set up to include dependents.

9. Public Relations

The unit conducted an active Public Relations programme throughout the year 1964. The effort was concentrated towards maintaining and improving the good relations which this unit enjoys with the communities of the immediate area, and particularly with the town of Kirkland Lake. Details are as follows:

1. Eleven visiting groups were conducted on tours of the unit and its operational site. This involved some 200 people, mostly members of local Service Clubs.
2. Twenty-eight short radio programmes were given over the local station, CJKL. Under the title "Ramore Revue", these programmes featured tape reports of DND news events, supplied by DRP AFHQ, and discourses on various aspects of the RCAF and its communities.
3. Five speeches by unit personnel were given to Service Clubs and High School students.
4. Eighteen news releases were issued. These dealt with awards and promotions gained by our personnel, and were published in local and home-town newspapers.
5. The local press was invited to the unit to cover the occasions of the annual visit of the AOC, A/V/M Lister, and the raising of the new Canadian flag.

During the past year, the unit has provided personnel to participate in such parades such as: Battle of Britain, Remembrance Day, and other public demonstrations such as Air Force Day, local carnivals, etc.

10. Miscellaneous

In addition to its primary role, the unit is called upon to provide fire fighting and ambulance services to local areas.

Personnel of the unit participate in various community activities in the area in which they live, such as First Aid Instruction, Youth Organizations, Benevolent Organizations, Church groups, Women’s Auxiliaries, etc.

Taking into consideration the 40 miles distance to the nearest large community, the small number of minor conduct infractions would indicate that the morale is very high. Although the normal tour for accompanied married personnel is two years, requests for tour extension would suggest that families experience little difficulty adjusting to their new environment.