Senneterre, QC

1956 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


Secret
Appendix "A"
to AFAO 71.00/01

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Senneterre, PQ
1 June 1956 to 30 November 1956

1 Jun 56

S/L LE Larcombe, ADCHQ, arrived from ADCHQ to discuss Recreation. Departed 4 Jun 56.

4 Jun 56

Operation Swing-Fog first aerial spray by aircraft from RCAF Station North Bay.

5 Jun 56

S/L JJB Robinson, AMCHQ, F/L DA Swanson, AMCHQ, F/L MH Jordon, Station Parent, F/O AF MacRury, Station Parent, Mr. JC Lee and Mr. Dix, RCA Victor, arrived for conference re tower.

6 Jun 56

W/C Sheffield, ADC/SO Projects; S/L Hopkins, ADC/SO Programs/2; and F/L Patience, SO/Ops 3, visited Val d’Or, prior to attendance at Joint Planning Conference for future Army Winter Exercise "Loup Garou II".

7 Jun 56

S/L VP Grant, 14 Wing Winnipeg, arrived for summer training.

12 Jun 56

243530W P/O SC Midgley, AS/FtrC, reported on staff.

14 Jun 56

F/O GC Jones, 2402 AC&W Squadron, arrived for summer training.

30 Jun 56

S/L BT MacFie, F/L VE McCaw, F/O JA John, F/O WJ McKenzie and P/O MA Thiessen, plus 1 Flight Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, 8 Airwomen and 2 Airmen, 2402 AC&W Squadron, arrived for a period of two weeks training.

Other visitors during the month included – S/L WJ Wills, ADCHQ; S/L Bodien, F/L Thompson and F/L Aller, all of 428 Squadron, Uplands.

2 Jul 56

Mr. C Jenkins, of Bell Telephone, reported in to replace Mr. Aseltine as Wire Chief.

3 Jul 56

S/L AJ Simpson, COpsO, assumed command of Station during absence on leave of W/C JA Duncan.

8 Jul 56

13 Officers, 1 Flight Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, 8 Airwomen and 2 Airmen, from 2402 AC&W Squadron, Winnipeg arrived for a week of training. While at the unit, Auxiliary personnel were instructed in various duties connected with their trades and were entertained with trips to Sigma Mines, Fishing, Softball games, Weiner Roasts, Dancing and Mess Parties.

10 Jul 56

32027 F/L JW Park, AS/FtrC, reported on staff from Station St. Margarets.

31 Jul 56

Vulnerability test by ADCHQ personnel.

1 Aug 56

Alert.

2 Aug 56

Alert.

7 Aug 56

W/C JA Duncan resumes command on return from leave and TD at Station Edgar. F/C DW Dawson, URTP A/FtrC, McGill Squadron; F/C SC Shoemaker, URTP A/FtrC, Toronto Squadron and F/C RE Wilson, URTP A/FtrC, London Squadron all reported in for summer training.

10 Aug 56

Alert for exercise Caveman. Approximately 50 Station personnel departed for Station Parent for a sport week-end. Station Parent retained the Kent Trophy.

19 Aug 56

215768 P/O CE Taylor, AS/FtrC, reported on staff.

21 Aug 56

F/L RS Turner, AS/FtrC, 2402 Squadron, reported for two weeks training.

25 Aug 56

Station Trenton Airwomen’s Softball team visited the Station for a Home and Home series. Senneterre won Softball game with a score of 9 to 5, despite bad weather. Visiting team entertained by a dance in the Coast to Coast Club. Trenton personnel departed Sunday via Trenton service aircraft.

Visitors during the month of August included: Mr Buchan, DCED-AFHQ; Messrs DE Fox, AG Wacker, D Bateman and CL Wambolt, from Northern Electric Company; F/L C Rubel, Welfare Officer – ADCHQ; F/L RJ Emerson, ADCHQ; S/L RA Powell, AFHQ.

7 Sep 56

236676W F/O OL Blair, Med/Nurse, SOS to Station Edgar. 73213W F/O BB Phillips, Med/Nurse, TOS from Station Edgar. Airwomen’s Softball Team travelled to Trenton by service aircraft – supplied by Trenton, for return softball game. Senneterre airwomen won game by score 10 – 6. Entertained by dance in Airwomen’s Lounge. Departed Trenton, Sunday by service aircraft.

10 Sep 56

130910 F/O JS Farrell, Tech/Tel, TOS from Station Clinton.

14 Sep 56

Representatives from TAC, ATC, ADC and Quebec Command arrived at Val d’Or, pre-planning for exercise "Loup Garou II"; 25 in party.

16 Sep 56

Battle of Britain Sunday. Special Memorial Service and Church Parade held on the unit.

26 Sep 56

W/C NL Magnusson, AFHQ; S/L WR Shearer, AFHQ; and F/L JA Newbegin, ADC, visited the unit to discuss Airmen’s posting and career problems.

30 Sep 56

Major-General Bernatchez, GOC, Quebec Command, paid an informal visit to Val d’Or, prior to the proposed winter exercise "Loup Garou II"

Other visitors to the unit during September included: S/L GR Hodgins, AFHQ; S/L HR Milner, AFHQ; S/L McKee, 3 ADCC; F/L JE Parent, ADCHQ.

3 Oct 56

Right Honorable Vincent Massey, CH, arrived on the Station, accompanied by his ADC, F/L D MacMillan. It was planned to hold a reception in the town of Senneterre for the Governor General and Party, but because of the inclement weather it was necessary to hold the reception indoors. As there was no building in Senneterre large enough to hold the 600 school children, parents and others from Senneterre, as well as teachers, pupils and parents of Station personnel, W/C Duncan made the Station Rec. Hall available to the town council.

10 Oct 56

Report received from Provincial Police that three Senneterre men, on a hunting trip to Kale Kapitachuan, were missing. An overturned canoe and some supplies belonging to the missing men had been found. An RCAF ground party of 4 men immediately dispatched to carry out a ground search. RCC Trenton requested to send an Otter aircraft to carry out air search. Missing men were identified as:

Dr. Comtois

Medical Doctor

Senneterre

Mr Ouellette

CNR Employee

 

Mr Grant

CNR Employee

 

11 Oct 56

Trenton aircraft piloted by F/O LaRue arrived to carry out air search for missing hunters; returned to Trenton, approximately 1800 hours.

12 Oct 56

Trenton aircraft piloted by F/O LeBlanc arrived to continue air search over the week-end.

16 Oct 56

Last body of the three missing hunters recovered.

Visitors to the Station during the month of October included the following: W/C Young, Med/MO – AFHQ; S/L Oakes, Med/Nurse – AFHQ.

2 Nov 56

First formal dining-in night of the fall season held. Guests included W/C and Mrs. Lawrence, RCAF Station Parent, Major and Mrs. Cicollela, Station Ramore; Mess members and their wives.

11 Nov 56

Remembrance Day ceremony and parade held at Senneterre.

15 Nov 56

ECM Briefing team from ADC, consisting of F/L Gauthier, F/L Kirkby and F/L Shubaly, briefed Operations personnel on latest developments.

21 Nov 56

G/C FW MacLean, AFHQ, and W/C W Rogers, ADCHQ, visited the unit.

28 Nov 56

Mr. Donald Gordon, President of the CNR, and party visited the Station. Members of the party were: Mr. SF Dingle, Vice-President i/c Operations; Mr. JE Gauthier, General Superintendent of Quebec District; Mr. EW Kavanagh, Assistant Superintendent, Senneterre.

30 Nov 57

Exercise "Loup Garou II" cancelled.

Progress on new buildings on the station is satisfactory. It is anticipated that several of the houses will be accepted before the end of the year and the remainder of the houses and buildings will be completed in the first few months of 1957.

Visitors during the month included: F/L RC Tait, ADCHQ; F/O J McCormick, ADCHQ.

Submitted in accordance with AFAO 71.00/01

(JA Duncan) W/C
CO RCAF Station Senneterre

 

 

Appendix "A"
S21-6-2

Operations Branch

The following outlines the important events in the Operations Section, between 1 Jun and 30 Nov 56:

30 Jun 56

Reserves from Winnipeg arrived for two week course, six officers and fifteen ranks.

1 Jul 56

D Crew went to Val d’Or on TD, for familiarization purposes.

4 Jul 56

2020 – Condition "Cocked Pistil" declared. 2110 – Station off "Cocked Pistol".

11 Jul 56

1500 – Mechanical Jamming exercise.

12 Jul 56

1545 – Mechanical Jamming and Electronic Jamming Condition 1.

14 Jul 56

S/L Grant returned to Winnipeg.

1 Aug 56

0416 – Operation "Cocked Pistol" (alert) sounded by Security Officer. 0417 – TX1 Site bombed (synthetic). 0417 – Guard advises saboteur caught at main gate. 0435 – Sugarcane advised about alert. 1944 "Cocked Pistol" from Sugarcane.

2 Aug 56

1800 "Cocked Pistol" authenticated CC. 1950 – Sugarcane advises Puritan released from "Cocked Pistol".

5 Aug 56

1400 – Dry Run exercise Caveman.

10 Aug 56

1720 – Sugarcane advises "Cocked Pistol".

20 Aug 56

1647 – Chaff – Ops ECM.

21 Aug 56

1815 – Emergency with CS19. 1825 – CS19 Squawk 4.

27 Aug 56

1929 – Mechanical Jamming at 100/50.

6 Sep 56

1700 "Cocked Pistol" authenticated AB. 2150 – Released from "Cocked Pistol".

14 Sep 56

1120 – Mechanical Jamming (VK79UE).

Oct 56

Uneventful, except for practice interceptions.

22 Nov 56

1825 – Sugarcane advised that we are on a "Cocked Pistol" for Chance Light since 1820 hours, authentication AC11.

30 Nov 56

1730 – "Cocked Pistol" for Cave Man B2.

5 Dec 56

1850 – Fire reported in Communications workshops.

12 Dec 56

0150 – CSB for practice intercepts. 0205 – Lost VHF with Blue 2. 0220 – Blue 2 squawking Mayday intercepted with Blue 1 and escorted home.

14 Dec 56

1736 – "Cocked Pistol" for Caveman B1. 2042 – "Cocked Pistol" ceased.

 

 

Appendix "B"
S21-6-2 (CTSO)

Technical Branch

The following outlines the important events by sections in the Technical Branch between 1 Jun and 30 Nov 56:

Construction Engineering Section

General:

11 Jun 56

First aerial spray and control of pests

18 Jun 56

Second aerial spray.

11 Nov 56

CEO to ADCHQ for CE conference.

Diesel fuel consumed – 78689. Fuel Oil consumed 86963.

A for P’s Raised:

19 Jun 56

To install door closers TX and RX

20 Jun 56

To install screen doors VIP suites and relocate sliding door.

21 Jun 56

To relocate fire training area and install red indicator lamps over 8 fire alarm boxes.

29 Jun 56

Increase A for P for cable duct risers.

12 Jul 56

To construct shelvings.

4 Sep 56

Power for Quad radar and alteration to RX and TX at Val d’Or.

11 Sep 56

Construction of 60’ x 28’ extension to Supply.

21 Sep 56

Extension to Central Heating Plant.

26 Sep 56

Construction of Standard Diesel Workshop.

30 Sep 56

Additional electrical services at Val d’Or Detachment.

4 Oct 56

Construction of fire proof projection booth.

7 Nov 56

Alteration of Building #11. To install chain link fence at sub-stores. To correct faulty roof on back-up tower.

VME Section

Gasoline consumed – 10601 gallons

Distance travelled – 80671 miles

Lubricating oil consumed – 622 quarts

Cost of repairs - $3,345.90

Number of tires replaced – 7

Number of new batteries – 9

Number of accidents –1

Personnel changes – SOS 2, TOS 2

Number of ambulance runs to Val d’Or – 16

Major repairs – 5

Number of temporary drivers – 60

Number of scheduled runs per week – 153

Number of vehicles – 22

Recreation runs with A-30 bus – 51

Outside contracts – 2

Vehicle movements – SOS 6, TOS 8

Annual Rodeo entries – airmen 1, civilian 1

Supply Section

Vehicle Movements Incoming to Senneterre:

Truck Snow Blower – serial 20E45-A53 from Station Rockcliffe

Tractor Wheeled – serial 22H35-A56 from 6 RD

Truck Pickup ½ ton – serial 444B20-E54 from 6 RD

Truck Panel – serial 560B5-B56 from 6 RD

Station Wagon – serial 600A10-D56 from Station Hamilton

Station Wagon – serial 626A10-D56 from 6 RD

Station Wagon – serial 656A10-D56 from 6 RD

Incoming to Val d’Or

Truck dump – serial 1E60-C54 from 6 RD

Tractor A/c towing – serial 27D6-A51 from St. Hubert

Wobbler wheel roller – serial 48H66 from St. Hubert

Truck snow removal – serial 63E49-C56 from 6 RD

Truck snow blower – serial 65E50-A48 from 6 RD

Outgoing from Senneterre

Truck snowblower – serial 130E50-A51 to 6 RD

Truck snow fighter – serial 3E60-C54 to 6 RD

Fire truck – serial 52G10-C41 to 6 RD

Station Wagon – serial 373A10-D53 to APDAL

Station Wagon – serial 366A10-D53 to APDAL

Sedan Light – serial 133A5-A51 to APDAL

Stocktaking for period 1956-1957 completed 30 Nov 56

Personnel movements – SOS 2, TOS 2

Number of DDP requisitions – 149, total amount $23,231.40

Number of Petty Cash purchases – 390, total amount $1,247.44

Number of LPO’s – 179

Number of LOF’s – 139

Number of outgoing shipments – 281, total weight 237,926 pounds

Number of incoming shipments – 1134, total weight 5,620,172 pounds

External demands submitted "A" code 54, "B" code 1661

Clothing demands submitted "A" code 67, "B" code 345

Discrepancy reports raised on other units – 12

Discrepancy reports raised on this unit – 11

Number of Inspection Receipt Vouchers processed – 664

Number of Receipt Vouchers from sections and CRV – 481

Number of Receipt Vouchers from Depots and other Units – 1846

Number of Conversion Vouchers processed – 298

Number of Issue Vouchers processed – 2414

Number of Supply Signals Raised – QU’s 47, QB’s 10, QA’s 12

Radar Section

19 – 20 Jun 56

Slip ring modification on AN/FPS-3 by Northern Electric party.

4 Jul 56

WO1 Lewington arrived from Bagotville to fill position of RadO.

7 – 15 Aug 56

Peaking of AN/FPS-3 carried out by Northern Electric Field party.

31 Aug 56

Radome painting carried out by contractor.

27 Aug 56

Installation of new height finder AN/FPS-6 commenced by RCA Victor.

19 – 26 Sep 56

Peaking of TPS-501 by RCA Field party.

20 Sep 56

Installation of GPA-30 Video Mapper completed.

30 Sep 56

Back radiation screen installed on search radar AN/FPS-3.

5 Oct 56

Commenced Flight Trials on AN/FPS-6.

17 Nov 56

AN/FPS-6 operational

Personnel Movements – TOS and SOS 2

Communications

1 Jun 56

Permission to operate Comm Centre 0700 – 1700 expired, requested permission to operate 0700 – 2359 from ADC.

11 Jul 56

Val d’Or cable plant completed except for 1000’ cable to VHF ADF Site.

10 Sep 56

F/O Farrell transferred in to take over position of CommO.

13 Sep 56

Mr. CM Jenkins arrived to take over position of Wire Chief.

12 Oct 56

Microwave lines 2508, 2116, 2100, 2037, 2118 and 2102 installed on 1A key. Microwave lines 2500, 2103, 2117, 2119, 2101, 2038, 2057 and 8000A installed on PBX.

19 Oct 56

DND 748, 748A installed on 1A key, 748B on PBX.

1 Nov 56

DND 343 cancelled.

8 Nov 56

Microwave 2507 installed on status clerk position on magneto set.

18 Nov 56

F/O Braun departed for course in Florida.

Personnel Movements:

Comm Techs

SOS 2, TOS 2

TTops

SOS 0, TOS 3

Tel Techs

SOS 0, TOS 2

Tg Techs

SOS 0, TOS 1

Attached are the original copies of the historical narratives received from the Technical Sections from which the overall Historical Record has been compiled.

(AR Abercrombie) F/L
CTSO
1