Senneterre, QC

1964 – Historical Summary – National Archives of Canada


Confidential
Appendix "B"
to AFAO 71.00/01

 

Historical Summary
RCAF Station Senneterre, PQ
1 January 1964 to 31 December 1964

Major Functions of the Unit

To conduct the support of air defence in the Ottawa NORAD Sector

  1. In a Mode 1 role supporting the Direction Centre at North Bay;
  2. as an NCC for the BUIC back-up of the Direction Centre;
  1. Summary of Unit Activities
  1. A high percentage of responsibility and concentration was directed towards the build up and conversion of RCAF Detachment Val d’Or to Station status was effected 1 Dec 64.
  2. In addition to the above certain attention was afforded to the 728 RCAC Squadron La Verendry which was in the midst of re-organization. Many supply and administrative problems were encountered in both areas.

(2) Operations

Twenty six operations were carried out during the period 30 Jan to 15 Dec 64. The squadron ran an average of 576 intercepts per quarter.

  1. Training
  1. Emphasis was placed on training the Ops technical personnel for the scheduled NNR and ADC evaluations.
  2. Ground Training section ran a heavy schedule; with the added responsibility of setting up a training program for the Val d’Or Detachment sections.

(4) Technical

  1. Erection of Helicopter Hangar commenced Oct 64.
  2. In Oct the UHF and VHF Communications equipment in the Ops Building was shut down and twelve channels of GATR equipment were made available to operations on a call up basis. In Dec the surplus equipment was returned thus eliminating most of the equipment of the original Communications Section.
  3. GATR Site modification program under way.

(5) Administration

  1. RCAF Station Val d’Or became self accounting for M&I 1 Nov 64.
  2. RCAF Station Val d’Or became self accounting for Pay q Dec 64.
  3. Heavy administration work load was experienced due to Station Val d’Or.
  4. PAdO position deleted.

(6) Organization

The following changes were made in the organization:

Deletions

SCOO

COO

PAdO

Additions

COpsO

OpsO

 

(7) Official Visits and Inspections

5 Feb 64

SOPA Inspection. G/C Cameron, SCESO ADCHQ visited unit.

21 Apr 64

Staff Visit of Regional Matron (S/L Fitzgerald) to Senneterre and Val d’Or.

11 May 64

SOMSE Staff Visit to Senneterre and Val d’Or.

8 Jun 64

SOAF Inspection.

11 Sep 64

W/C Pudney, ADC SOAF, and S/L Steene visited Senneterre.

26 Nov 64

F/L Forbes, Food Services Staff Visit.

1 Dec 64

F/L Cline – Staff Visit to discuss BUIC Operations and NCC Co-ordination with Operations personnel.

Note: Various official visits were made to Val d’Or Detachment, however, these will be recorded by Station Val d’Or on their report.

(8) Recreation

A comprehensive program of recreation was carried out catering to the needs of both Service personnel and dependents.

Station Senneterre came first in the RCAF Swim Marathon and also won the trophy for the longest individual and aggregate swim.

(9) Public Relations

Articles on station events were passed to Val d’Or, Rouyn/Noranda Press and Senneterre Bilingual Press.

In April, exclusive coverage of Alaska Disaster was carried on Station Senneterre Radio and relayed to Val d’Or and Rouyn/Noranda Radio and TV.

In June, the Commanding Officer attended the opening of the Senneterre Industrial Park with members of Parliament, Mr. Cliché and Mr. Levesque.

In November, the Commanding Officer attended a Val d’Or Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding English TV.

Personnel of the Fire Hall conducted a toy drive prior to Christmas and presented the repaired toys to local charities for distribution to local needy families.

(10) Other

The station was burdened with precautionary security due to the FLQ crisis which extended for a lengthy period.

Signed by:

(JE Goldsmith) W/C
CO RCAF Station Senneterre, PQ