Senneterre, QC

1962 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


Secret
S71-00-01(CO)
Appendix "A"
to AFAO 71.00/01

 

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Senneterre, PQ
1 June 1962 to 30 November 1962

2 Jun 62

F/L BA Rathbone, Padre (P), at convention and retreat until 7 Jun.

4 Jun 62

F/O JM Walker Tech/Tel arrived and assumed the duties of ComO.

5 Jun 62

F/C G Lamoureux, Tech/CE, ROTP, arrived for the summer.

11 Jun 62

F/L W Henderson departed on transfer to Station Moosonee.

12 Jun 62

F/L Cann, security officer from ADCHQ

13 Jun 62

Dr. Hunt, F/L Farvolden, and F/C Sutherland made a visit to the Unit.

15 Jun 62

W/C Rodger, SORA(P) for ADC visited the Unit for one day.

17 Jun 62

F/O FE Deem, Med/Nur, arrived on transfer from NDMC to assume duties as nursing sister.

18 Jun 62

F/O E Charles arrived for the period 18-27 Jun as replacement for B Thomas, SSupO. F/L Fox and F/L Telford from ADCHQ arrived for a three day personnel visit.

21 Jun 62

An income tax audit was conducted in the accounts section on 21 and 22 Jun.

23 Jun 62

F/O B Towle Med/Nur was married to Mr. Edward Ludwig in the Station Chapel.

25 Jun 62

S/L Pattison, F/L Buih, F/L McLeod from ADCHQ and F/L Harris from Ottawa NORAD Sector HQ arrived for Station evaluations.

30 Jun 62

F/L D Paige departed on transfer to Station Holberg.

2 Jul 62

W/C Goldsmith on two week course in Cold Lake. F/C J Simard Tech/CE, URTP, arrived for the summer. F/O RE Avery, the new SAO, arrived from Central Officers School, Centralia. F/L MR MacGregor, CAdO, departed for Cold Lake and subsequent CF-104 training.

6 Jul 62

F/L H Shufelt, SAO, departed on transfer to 11 TSU, Montreal.

7 Jul 62

F/L MR Frampton arrived as a replacement Protestant Padre while F/L BA Rathbone was on leave.

9 Jul 62

F/L T Fiedosiewich, the new CAdO, reported in.

14 Jul 62

F/O JFM Ouellet departed for Site Dye on the DEW Line.

16 Jul 62

Final week of EWO course was conducted at Senneterre.

17 Jul 62

F/L Cutting and Captain Ackiss (USAF) arrived for an Intelligence Briefing.

18 Jul 62

LAW M Simming died after being taken to hospital in Montreal.

19 Jul 62

W/C Garton and F/O MacLagen were on the Unit for handover of Alternate Sector Headquarters responsibilities to Senneterre.

23 Jul 62

F/C B Plamondon, Tech/Tel, URTP, arrived for the summer. F/L Caircross and nuclear defence team arrived to conduct first aid lectures and demonstrations.

6 Aug 62

Statutory holiday.

8 Aug 62

Air Force Day was held in Val d’Or, highlighted by the Golden Hawks display. It was well attended, both by civilians from the surrounding area, and RCAF personnel.

30 Aug 62

F/O B Adams reported in from Station Parent.

1 Sep 62

Lt. Colonel Beale, USAF SAC Liaison Officer, ADCHQ, made a three day visit to Senneterre in connection with Sky Shield III.

3 Sep 62

Statutory holiday. F/O JB Templeton left for course in Bagotville, and subsequent transfer to a CF-101 squadron.

6 Sep 62

S/L ND Cairns, COpsO, Acting CO while W/C Goldsmith at Conference.

5 – 7 and 12 – 14 Sep 62

First Aid lectures given to Station personnel by F/O Harrod and F/O Deem.

8 Sep 62

F/L Brewer Acting CO while COpsO at Conference.

10 Sep 62

S/L ND Cairns, COpsO, and F/L JA Archibald, CTSO, attended the second COpsO’s and CTSO’s Conference at ADCHQ.

16 Sep 62

Battle of Britain Parade held. F/L Bly, F/O Ward, and FS Chatburn from ADCHQ arrived for a security check.

17 Sep 62

F/O WG Richards reported in on transfer from Lac St. Denis.

18 Sep 62

Sixteen FtrCops (female) arrived on transfer from Lac St. Denis. Mr. EF Green of Western Electric arrived for testing in connection with SAGE.

20 Sep 62

F/O H Allison, SAO Parent, conducted a 2 day cash count.

21 Sep 62

F/O LE Head, the new SSupO, reported in from Station Beausejour.

26 Sep 62

Formation of the Recreation Council.

28 Sep 62

No airman promotions.

29 Sep 62

Officers Fall Formal, W/C & Mrs. Kent of Parent were guests.

2 Oct 62

F/O BV Thomas, former SSupO, departed for Vancouver on medical release.

3 Oct 62

F/O RE Avery, SAO, was taken to Val d’Or for an emergency appendectomy.

4 Oct 62

F/L KM Cady from ADCHQ, SOAF, arrived with F/O E Shell of Bagotville. F/O Shell remained until 8 Nov as replacement for F/O Avery. Exercise Big Blast K conducted.

10 Oct 62

W/C JE Goldsmith away on quarterly flying 10 – 17 Oct. S/L ND Cairns was Acting CO in his absence.

15 Oct 62

Personnel transferred in for duty at Detachment Val d’Or reported in.

17 Oct 62

Mr. GFS Davis AFHQ chief CE Inspector, inspected new construction at Val d’Or. W/C Goldsmith resumed command of the station.

18 Oct 62

F/O DA Dobie, STelO, departed on posting to supernumerary strength St. Hubert and subsequent transfer to Station Puntzi Mountain.

19 Oct 62

F/O JM Walker assumed position of STelO.

21 Oct 62

S/L Beasley and F/L Miller ADCHQ arrived for an Ops Evaluation.

22 Oct 62

CO and COpsO on 30 minute stand-by due to Cuban crisis. F/O JM Walker on EWO course at ADCHQ. F/L D Ellis arrived on transfer from Station Cold Lake.

23 Oct 62

F/L Wuorinen from ONSHQ arrived for Ops evaluation. F/L Winchester of ADCHQ visited the Unit, but no exercise conducted.

29 Oct 62

F/O D Rankin reported in for duty at Detachment Val d’Or. Last week of EWO course held at Senneterre. Due to Cuban crisis, all leave cancelled unless within two hours recall of Unit.

31 Oct 62

Leave allowed at CO’s discretion.

5 Nov 62

F/O G Violette Tech/Tel reported in for two months duties.

7 – 8 Nov 62

Representatives from ADHQ and ADC on unit for GATR site hand-over.

11 Nov 62

Remembrance Day Parade.

12 Nov 62

Statutory holiday.

20 Nov 62

Technical Inspection at Val d’Or by a team from ADCHQ.

26 Nov 62

F/O A Thompson and F/O F Bulmer of ADCHQ visited the Unit to do an MSE inspection. F/O Baker and F/L Stewart of ADCHQ visited the Unit to do an audit in the Accounts Section.

27 Nov 62

S/L Thompson and F/L Flewelling of SOMS paid a staff visit to the Station.

Appendix "A" – Operations Report.
Appendix "B" – CE, MSE, Supply, Fire Section, Comm, Radar, Rec., Med, AFP, Accounts.
Appendix "C" – RCAF Detachment Val d’Or.

Submitted in accordance with AFAO 71.00/01.

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

 

Appendix "A"
to S71-00/01(CO)

 

Operations
34 AC&W
Controller Organization
30 Nov 62

W/C JE Goldsmith

Commanding Officer

S/L ND Cairns

Chief Operations Officer

F/L EC Brewer

Senior Operations Officer

F/L WL Webster

Chief Standards Officer

F/O ER Cowan

Station Ground Training Officer

F/O AR Crawford

Surveillance Standards Officer

F/O H Hills

Surveillance Standards Officer (understudy)

   

Crew 1

 

F/L DF MacKay

Flight Commander

F/L GE Emmerson

Deputy Flight Commander

F/L K Harding

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

F/O D Youzwa

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

F/O G Richards

Intercept Director

   

Crew 2

 

F/L BF Wooding

Flight Commander

F/O GE Edge

Deputy Flight Commander

F/O DA Stewart

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

F/O WA Kurash

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

F/O L Clark

Intercept Director

   

Crew 3

 

F/L GB Shorey

Flight Commander

F/L P Hennell

Deputy Flight Commander

F/L D Ellis

Intercept Director

F/O RS Lovegrove

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

F/O RB Adams

Intercept Director

F/O PA Enns

Intercept Director – Crew SurvO

9 Jun 62

2005Z – An aircraft report of forest fires was passed, by us, to Department of Lands and Forests in Senneterre.

11 Jun 62

ECM Exercise today, using a B-47 from Lockbourne AFB as a target. 12 attempted runs – 12 MA’s.

17 Jun 62

1758Z – AH03 & 04 identified unknown track #E308 as 1 CPA Britannia, after an airborne scramble. Empress 591 was soon contacted by VHG but as his compasses were completely unserviceable we flight followed him to Montreal.

18 Jun 62

1448Z – AH Zulu 1 scrambled from Ottawa for our control after Unknown #M352. They identified it as a "Flying Tiger" Super Constellation # N6919C.

26 Jun 62

Air Staff visiting Team arrives on unit.

27 Jun 62

All directors write ASVT exams.

28 Jun 62

Flight Commanders, Crew Surveillance Officers and NCO’s write ASVT Surveillance exam. 1027Z – Cocked Pistol declared for "Shock Wave 5". Results – 8 attempts – 3 MA’s, 5 MI’s.

29 Jun 62

0858Z – Fadeout for "Shock Wave 5".

Month of June (General)

Total intercepts 205 consisting mainly of practice intercepts with CF-101’s from Ottawa.

12 Jul 62

0138Z – Fire alarm sounds in Guard Room. 0203Z – Fire alarm caused by a short circuit. Everything A-OK. 1419Z – Build up for Defense Readiness Conditions.

13 Jul 62

0650Z – Build up for Exercise Shock Wave VI. 1020Z – Fade out for Shock Wave VI.

17 Jul 62

1106Z – Ottawa NORAD declares "Cocked Pistol" for "Catseye 5". Results – Catseye 5 – 11 attempts – 9 MA’s – 2 MI’s 1 FCS 1 Air Environment. 1645Z – Fade out for Catseye 5.

20 Jul 62

1527Z – C-119 VC22109 enroute from Great Whale to Montreal lost an engine and is diverting to Val d’Or. No emergency declared. Val d’Or alerted and this unit maintaining close surveillance of his progress to Val d’Or. 2125Z – Unknown #E328 strength 2 NE of this unit. 2127Z – Route information received from Battleaxe. E328 identified friendly.

23 Jul 62

1500Z – Camera on for isolated chaff burst in Parent area. 1503Z – Isolated chaff burst was found to be caused by an airborne check of Boneyard 1’s chaff dispenser. Camera off.

Month of July (General)

A fairly busy month. Total intercepts 267. Much emphasis now being placed on recognition of right and left triangles. Almost every day this month there has been a minor alert of some sort over unusual track behaviour which in most cases has been the result of aircraft orbiting. The flying this month has been split equally, between 414 and 410 Squadrons – both at Ottawa.

6 Aug 62

1541Z – Intermittent 1000 cycle tone heard on "Guard". Investigation reveals the sources as "Rampart 2" out of Cartierville – cause – a malfunctioning seat. No sweat.

7 Aug 62

1703Z – A "Squawk 4" picked up in Lac de Loups area found to be number 3 man of "Stonewall Red" section who is losing his oil pressure – Glory Be! Stonewall Red 3 in the aircraft at OW – calm, cool and collected!

9 Aug 62

2004Z – Unknown #M368, 150 miles north of us heading south. 2017Z – Alpha Hotel 12 scrambled from Ottawa. 2044Z – Alpha Hotel 12 identifies Unknown as an "EP A1 Airline" 707. 2052Z – Sector advises us to maintain surveillance on above track. Alpha Hotel 12 and M368 handed over to Crystal.

10 Aug 62

F/O Brodie Templeton transferred to CF-101’s after a very short stay at Senneterre.

16 Aug 62

Val d’Or airfield to be closed for 3 weeks (for renovations) commencing 27 Aug 62.

21 Aug 62

1207Z – Cocked Pistol for "Desk Top V". 2025Z – "Fade Out" from "Desk Top V".

Month of August (General)

Total intercepts 468. Flying consisted mainly of ECM exercises with "Boneyard" targets. Weather was generally good. Many "unknowns" this month resulting from aircraft failing to adhere to flight planned routes in the Nitchequan area. DOT is presently working on this problem.

2 Sep 62

1744Z – CINCNORAD declares "Cocked Pistol" for Exercise "Skyshield". 1809Z – Puritan fully manned.

3 Sep 62

0100Z – "Fade Out" from "Skyshield". Skyshield results – 1 attempt – 1 MA. Battle Staff of W/C Goldsmith, S/L Cairns, F/L Brewer, F/L Webster and F/O Crawford on duty for 5 ½ hours.

6 Sep 62

Low level "profile" exercise with 414 Squadron fouled up when fighters were scrambled 30 minutes early. This resulted in fighters not having enough fuel when targets arrived.

8 Sep 62

0015Z – Search gear broke down. Puritan off the air. Aircraft under our control handed over to Eskimo. 0317Z – Puritan now fully serviceable.

23 Sep 62

2033Z – Unknown M352 identified by Alpha Hotel 11 as a Wheeler Airlines Canso.

27 Sep 62

1554Z – Unknown M329 identified by Alpha Hotel 11 as a CF-100 RCAF, believed to be Boneyard 41. Val d’Or airport will be closed until 4th October.

Month of September (General)

A very quiet month with only 154 intercepts – mainly with 410 Squadron from Ottawa.

5 Oct 62

0147Z – "Cocked Pistol" for "Big Blast K". 0735Z – Fade out for "Big Blast K" – no intercepts attempted.

24 Oct 62

1740Z – CINCNORAD declares DEFCON 3 (Cuban Crisis). 1800Z – Tower secure – alert check list completed.

Month of October (General)

Exceptionally quiet with a total of only 14 intercepts. Unit placed on DEFCON 3 towards end of month with subsequent restrictions to movement of personnel on leave and TD.

10 Nov 62

1340Z – Power failure – trouble in the Power Plant. 1400Z – Lanterns installed in Ops Building for emergency lighting. 1607Z – Power back on – all circuits being checked. 1815Z – Unit completely serviceable.

12 Nov 62

F/L D Ellis reports in from Barnacle at Cold Lake to assume duties as one of our controllers.

19 Nov 62

Aircraft now on alert at Val d’Or – two CF-101B’s. CINCNORAD declares DEFCON 5 – everything back to normal. Cuban affair over!.

Month of November (General)

With emphasis again being placed on recognition of left and right triangles we have had an exceptional number of triangles reported. In most cases the track involved was a target, or fighter under an adjacent units control, orbiting while awaiting further instructions. However a few were actual triangles although none of the triangles were the result of an actual emergency.

Even though the increase in Alert State due to the Cuban affair curtailed flying drastically, we still managed to get 204 intercepts.

 

Appendix "B"
to S71-00/01(CO)

Historical Record
CE Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

8 Aug 62

Air Force Day – The CE Section had crews working at the Val d’Or Detachment for approximately two weeks prior to Air Force Day.

10 – 28 Sep 62

Warrant Officer and NCO NBCW Course – 42629 Sgt. CB Shindell attended a three week course at the Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Defensive Warfare School at Camp Borden, Ontario.

10 Sep – 26 Nov 62

244724 LAC JEG Dion, attended a three and one-half months course at No. 1 Support Services School at Camp Borden, Ontario.

 

Historical Record
MSE Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

1 Jun – 30 Nov 62

Gasoline used

11,100 gallons

Gasoline bought on charge (surplus)

0 gallons

Gasoline written off

214 quarts

Oil used

561 quarts

Mileage driven

83,913 miles

Vehicles on strength

24

Vehicles transferred

1

Vehicle allotted APDAL

None

Vehicle Accidents – MSE

None

Vehicle Accidents – Users

None

Vehicle Accidents – Industrial

None

Cost of repairs (vehicles)

$3,729.00

Major repairs carried out

1

Outside contracts – Completed

2

Outside Contracts – Pending

None

New tires installed

10

Trade Board – MSE Tech

0

Trade Board – MSE Op

2

Recreation runs

2

Ambulance runs (Val d’Or)

14

Road Condition

17 miles of gravel (to Val d’Or) maintained year around. Icy and slippery during fall and winter. Road from Unit to Senneterre, narrow pavement, dangerous shoulders, and uneven pavement in spots.

DM Audit

1

Inventory Check

1

Scheduled duty runs per week

50

Duty Driver Hours – 1600 – 2359

1 Driver

Duty Driver Hours – 0001 – 0800

1 Driver

Personnel transferred (out)

2 Cpl MSE Op

 

5 LAC MSE Op

 

1 LAC MSE Tech

Personnel transferred (in)

2 Cpl MSE Op

 

3 LAC MSE Op

 

1 LAC MSE Tech

Personnel released

None

Course for personnel

None

Temporary Drivers

52

 

Historical Record
Supply Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

Jun 62

During the month of June it became evident that the incumbent SSupO, F/O Thomas, was seriously ill and he was subsequently hospitalized.

F/O Charles arrived from St. Hubert (ADCHQ) as a temporary replacement, and he was replaced by F/S Taschereau, toward the end of the month. During the last week of June, Sgt. Vernay arrived from St. Hubert on TD. This move was made in an effort to alleviate the, now serious, personnel shortage.

Jul 62

The first of many instructions on the reactivation of Val d’Or was received and the initial provisioning of GHE and aircraft spares took place. Immediately, the impact if Val d’Or was felt as the work load in stock control increased.

Aug 62

The POL system and vendor’s facilities at Val d’Or were inspected by a team from ADCHQ in preparation for the reactivation of the detachment.

An amendment to the 10 sections of CAP 10 was received, which necessitated a complete reorganization of the radar and telecom stores and their relative records. LAC Bouchard under Sgt. Vernier was assigned the task. LAW Rubisch was moved from the sub-stores to replace LAC Bouchard in Stock Control.

August 29 a message was received, introducing the economic restrictions and the initial steps to restrict purchases in primary 93 were taken.

Sep 62

Monday the 21st F/O Head arrived from Station Gypsumville via Beausejour to assume the position of SSupO. The take-over was made without benefit of an official handover as the previous incumbent F/O Thomas was not available. A petty cash check was made and an attractive item stock check was carried out and both were satisfactory.

It was during September that the first pressure from Val d’Or was felt. Messages concerning personnel for Val d’Or were received and the inevitable follow up messages as people strove to "get out of it". Finally three Sup Techs, Cpl. Thebeau, LAC Bartlett and LAC Demers were selected and during the following month, arrived.

In the latter part of September the initial procurement of materiel for Val d’Or was undertaken and a target date of 15 October was established for Val d’Or operations. From this point on, through necessity Val d’Or became a priority task equal to that of radar support. Daily it became more evident that the entire approach to the activation of Val d’Or was not workable. Time and time again we attempted to establish what the requirements would be and each time the answers were not available. Personnel specialists normally available to initiate the requirement were not yet in position in Val d’Or and therefore a firm requirement could not be established. Gradually it became more and more apparent that if the target date was to be met the procurement of equipment for Val d’Or would become entirely a Supply problem. Working from scales of issue and gleaning what information we could from trade specialists at Senneterre we took the initiative and placed demands as we saw fit.

On 25 September an allotment of $7,700.00 was made to cover the remaining six months of the 62-63 fiscal year for local purchase under primary 93. The axe had fallen.

Oct 62

By the second week of October Cpl. Thebeau and LAC Demers had reported for Val d’Or, had been briefed, and were in position. ADCHQ had produced a list of 1st line maintenance and runway barrier spares and these were placed on demand. Station Uplands finally produced a list of engineering orders for CF-101 aircraft. In turn these were demanded. Vehicles and ground handling equipment were arriving in Val d’Or most of which were in deplorable condition. Thus began the drain of primary 93 funds as repairs were undertaken.

During the third week the radar sub-stores was inspected and it became apparent that we were being pushed to the maximum to maintain the service required to support air station operational posture. A serious backlog was developing and we were forced to arrest QA situation with priority demands on many occasions. Experienced help was needed immediately so in an effort to relieve the situation, when LAC Bartlett arrived for duty at Val d’Or he was instead, placed in stock control on station and AC Regnier a willing but inexperienced airman was positioned at Val d’Or.

During the month of October the rental of vehicles, repairs of all kinds and telecommunication work including quad-radar installation depleted the funds in primary 93 to a serious level. On 26 October a message to ADCHQ requested an increase of $5,000.00 to our unit allotment. Three days later the increase was granted.

Nov 62

Slowly the positions were filled in Val d’Or and as each department was manned the flow of demands on us increased. The sad part being that they were not in position soon enough and as a result each and every demand was aimed at 15 November, a matter of days instead of weeks.

Meanwhile, pressure was exerted to man the MSE sub-stores and during the first week of November Mr. Fortin was taken from stock control and placed in charge of that entity.

Equipment was arriving and new requirements of the utmost urgency were appearing daily for Val d’Or. Arrestor Barrier, ADF, CDF, vehicle parts, ground handling spares, aircraft spares, furnishings fire equipment, telephone orders with contractors in Montreal and Toronto were routine instead of a rarity. Due to the urgency many tasks were undertaken on verbal instruction from ADC and AMCHQ’s without reference to Supply and this of course further complicated matters. The back log grew, the staff, averaging three to six hours overtime a week were not able to cope with the increased activity.

The target date for Val d’Or was met, but at the expense of the station radar and telecom support. As a result the sub-stores became a problem of serious concern and during the latter weeks of November the efforts of the entire staff were diverted to re-cataloguing, re-provisioning etc. of sub-stores. The combined efforts of all were needed at night and over weekends to bring about the changes and re-organizing of the sub-stores. We were able to avert an "off the air" situation, but only just.

 

Historical Record
Fire Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

Routine Activities

Daily

General cleanup of section

Junior Vitaguard checked

Alarm box tested

Fire Truck DI’d and road tested

Fire phone bell tested

Siren tested at noon

Inspection of station theatre

Night patrol carried out from 0001 to 0400 hours

Hydrants checked weekly during summer months and daily during winter months

Weekly

Performance test of fire truck and booster tank flushed

Alarm system batteries checked

Training one half day per week

Monthly

All station buildings inspected

Inspection of Val d’Or detachment

Inspection of MSE vehicles

STATS 363 submitted to CHQ

Hose reloaded on fire truck

Maintenance of equipment as required.

2 Apr – 6 Jul 62

Courses – Civilian O Ellard attended basic fire fighting course at Camp Borden.

28 May – 31 Aug 62

Courses – Civilians J Lapointe, H Fillion, R Julien and M Major attended basic fire fighting course at Camp Borden.

Jun 62

Spring Cleanup – As part of year round fire prevention activities, a spring cleanup campaign was carried out.

8 Aug 62

Air Force Day – The Fire Chief, two Corporals and one airman were detailed for duty as crash crew during the air show at Val d’Or. Also a fire fighting equipment display was set up for public viewing in the MSE hangar.

28 Aug 62

Personnel Movements – LAC Abel SOS transferred to Station Cold Lake.

11 – 13 Sep 62

CFPO Visit – The Command Fire Marshal representative, WO1 J MacDougal, visited the unit.

7 – 13 Oct 62

Fire Prevention Week – Fire Prevention Week was celebrated during this period. The fire section in co-operation with the two Fire Brigades, staged an opening day parade through the PMQ area, passing out pamphlets, "Sparky" comic books, and candy to the children. This parade also toured the main streets of Senneterre. Lectures and demonstrations were given during the week. A fire fighting demonstration was also staged in the town of Senneterre. As a climax to the week’s activities, the Annual "Fireman’s Ball" was held in the Rec. Hall.

15 Oct – 8 Nov 62

FS GS Ferris attended Automatic Fire Protection and Detection Systems at Camp Borden.

8 Nov 62

Personnel Movements – LAC Clay SOS transferred to Station Yorkton.

Nov 62

Christmas Toy Drive – During the month of November, work commenced on the annual toy drive. Toys collected are repaired and turned over to the "Knights of Columbus" in Senneterre for distribution to the needy families of the district.

Report of Fire

No fires were reported during this period.

 

Historical Record
Communication Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

Jun 62

Cpl. Hanson returned from GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi USA

Cpl Fournier left for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

WO2 DeLong, Communications Officer, transferred overseas

Cpl Greene and LAC Peers detailed for duty at the GATR site

Sgt Grenier left for SSTS course at Camp Borden

Sgt Grenier returned from SSTS course at Camp Borden

LAC Cushing TTOP released

LAC Leaunier attended the Digital Technique course at Clinton

F/O Walker TOS as Communications Officer 4 Jun 62

Two section parties held at RX site for departing personnel

Mrs. Barnett terminated employment as switchboard operator.

Jul 62

LAC Fraser attended digital technique course in Clinton

AC1 Gross TOS from Clinton

Cpl Hanson transferred to Falconbridge

AC2’s Lord, Lajoie, Hamilton, Dalton and Ellenwood (B Elect) reported in

Section party held at RX site for Cpl Hanson

Cpl Williams TELTECH TOS from 4 ATAF

Mrs. Rouleau employed as switchboard operator.

Aug 62

Cpl. Paquin TOS from overseas

LAC Jones TOS from Churchill

LAC Leaunier left for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

Cpl Fournier returned from GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

Section party held at RX site for departing personnel

LAC Bitten transferred overseas

Van Cal in for calibrating test equipment

Sgt Grenier SOS for ADCHQ

LAC Viellet remustered to Trans Tech trade and employed at supply

Sep 62

LAC Renault TOS from overseas

LAC Fraser left for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

Northern Electric Company, GATR site contractors, left GATR site uncompleted due to material shortage.

AC2’s Lord, Lajoie, Hamilton, Dalton and Ellenwood SOS for Clinton

Received conference equipment from Foymount to be installed as ASO conference network.

Item 32 completed 10 Sep 62

Setting up alternate Ottawa Sector involved major communication and longline changes.

Oct 62

LAC Martel left for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

Cpl Fournier transferred to Alsask

LAC Leaunier returned from GKS5/FRT49 course at Biloxi

Northern Electric Company returned and completed GATR installation

GATR site hand over completed – attended by F/O Walker

Cpl Levesque, LAC's Truman, Peers, Lavine and McTague with LAW Thompson wrote Oct trade board examinations.

A going away party was held in the Cpls. Club for F/O Dobie (STelO)

F/O Walker replaced F/O Dobie as STelO.

Telephone section started preparations for SAGE implementation

Airwomen being trained as switchboard operators

Mrs. Clifton terminated employment as switchboard operator

LAW's Bryne and Grenier employed as switchboard operators

Cpl Levesque transferred to Whitehorse.

Nov 62

Cpl. Levesque’s transfer cancelled

LAC Stevenson transferred to Saskatoon Mountain effective Feb 63

LAC Truman transferred to Baldy Hughes effective Jan 63

LAC Peers selected for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi in Jan 63

LAC Jones selected for GKA5/FRT49 course at Biloxi in Jan 63

LAC Fraser returned from GKA5/FRT49 course in Biloxi

Attempting to get LAC Wilby to replace LAC Truman’s transfer

LAC Boxnak released by purchase

LAC Levine admitted to MMH

17 Nov, the new world wide routing indicators came into effect at message centre

Cpl Levesque had to be recalled because of shortage of personnel during Cuban Crisis

Wired all radio channels at GATR site and installed ten line telephone position.

 

Historical Record
Radar Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

1 Jun – 30 Nov 62

Movements in and out of the section were as follows:

In

   

F/O Violette

Cpl Jordan

LAC Black

LAC Eithier

LAC Plane

LAC Sullivan

LAC Bennett

LAC Cote

LAC Thorne

     

Out

   

F/O Dobie

FS Stevens

A/Cpl Easby

LAC Farrow

LAC Trudel

A/Cpl Coulter

LAC Leblanc

LAC Lambeth

LAC Lussier

LAC Burgess

LAC Lapierre

 
     

SOS Discharge

Sgt Kohn

 
 

LAC Rowan

 
     

Promotion

LAC Coulter to A/Cpl

 
 

LAC Easby to A/Cpl

 

4 Jun 62

Contractor modifications to the AN/FPS-507 antenna systems were completed by CGE MRP.

19 Jun 62

Command staff visit by F/L Fox.

25 Jun 62

Command staff visit by S/L Hebb

10 – 12 Jul 62

Video enhancer trials by representatives of the National Research Council were carried out.

10 Jul – 29 Oct 62

Practical demonstrations for Command EWO courses were given during the weeks beginning 10 Jul and 29 Oct.

18 Aug 62

Modifications of the ANGPA501 was completed by Northern Electric MRP.

Installation of RX groups 0A/5034 was completed by FS Newman from AMCHQ.

Testing of the AN/FPS-508A and AN/FPS-507A systems to ensure their compatibility for SAGE operation in progress.

Trade advancement consisted of weekly assignments over a ten week period. The week prior to the trade board all participating candidates were freed of normal duties. This time was devoted entirely to review and study. As usual study material was taken from TSM406 with lectures on allied trades. The section UTMIP is progressing nicely. A twelve week course covering the AN/FPS-508A equipment has been completed and a similar course on the AN/FPS-507A is underway. In addition the following personnel were selected for training in the USA during the subject period:

AN/FSQ-7

AN/FST-2

AN/FPS-26

AN/FPS-27

AN/FPS-7

LAC Burgess

Cpl Arnold

LAC Anderson

LAC Corrigan

Sgt James

LAC Lapierre

LAC Laplante

LAC Lavigne

LAC Bennett

 

LAC Lussier

 

LAC Weller

   

Cpl. Campbell took first place in "A" flight golf course tournament at Val d’Or’s Cesco Island golf course in October.

Section personnel combined with operations to field a team in the Station soft ball league.

Currently two teams represent the radar section in unit bowling, and interest is high in the curling season which is about to make its debut.

 

Historical Record
Recreation Centre
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

Compulsory Swimming

4 classes of a 9 day duration

7 Junior passes

10 Juvenile passes

Casual Attendance

Children: 4393

Adults: 1191

9 – 15 Aug 62

Marathon Swim – 66 men participated – 321 miles swam. 16 women participated – 40 miles swam.

Classes:

9 Aug 62

Bronze Medallion – 6 passes

Junior – 5 passes

15 Sep 62

Intermediate – 6 passes

Junior – 8 passes

Juvenile – 7 passes

Trampolining

Casual attendance – 495

Softball: (men)

One Men’s League consisting of four teams

Zone playoff winner

ADC participant

One outing to RCAF Station Ramore

One outing to Rouyn

Two outing’s to Val d’Or

Badminton

Badminton Club with 60 members – casual

Badminton attendance – 587

13 Nov 62

Bowling

WP Bowling Wire Meet participants:

Men’s League

6 teams

Mixed League

8 teams

Women’s League

4 teams

Casual bowling attendance – 250

Exercises

Daily exercises in gymnasium – Attendance – 178

Weekly PE classes for children

Boys and Girls – 15 attendance

Teen Club

Weekly Teenage Club Meeting – 12 attendance

Cubs & Scouts

Weekly Cubs and Scouts meeting – 30 attendance

2 – 6 Aug 62

Scout Camp – Outing to Simon Lake

27 Aug – 1 Sep 62

Scout Camp – Outing to Lemoyne Lake

17 Nov 62

Scout Camp – Outing to Fish Lake

Bingo – twice monthly

Volleyball (Men) – 4 League teams

Theatre – 6 nights weekly

Casual attendance – Adults – 4745. Children – 830

Softball (ladies)

One Women’s League consisting of:

Two Airwomen Teams

One Married Women’s Team

Visited by RCAF Station Parent

Archery

Archery Club with 13 members

Casual Archery attendance – 200

 

Historical Record
Hospital
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

1 Dec 62

The staff will consist of:

1 SMO F/L; 2 N/S F/O’s; 1 Male MedA Cpl; 1 ClkMed LAW Gp 1;

1 MedA LAW Gp 3; 3 MedA’s LAW Gp 1; 1 Civilian Cleaner

18 Jun 62

N/S Deam TOS from NDMC Ottawa

23 Jun 62

A former N/S, F/O Towle became married on the station.

26 Jun 62

AW Radomsky TOS from Station Cold Lake. Dr. Giguere took two weeks annual leave and was replaced for the period by Dr Lafleche.

Aug 62

During this month both LAW Hewitt and LAW Hollingsworth were released from the Service on non medical grounds.

15 Nov 62

LAC Lepage arrived and was taken on strength at Station Val d’Or for the MIR.

27 Nov 62

LAC Dilworth TOS from Station St. Jean.

The number of babies delivered in the Infirmary has declined since the start of the New Quebec Health Plan in May, and at present all the mothers from the Station are admitted to the clinic in Senneterre or St. Saviour Hospital, Val d’Or, for delivery.

During this six month period the work has been mainly comprised of:

MIR Daily for Service Personnel & Dependents

Once monthly Well Baby Clinics

Twice weekly Pre & Post Natal Clinics

6 Monthly School Inspections

Courses of First Aid Lectures to all Station Personnel

Trade Board Preparation Lectures

Influenza serum etc., Inoculation parades

Normal In Patient Care

A First Aid Post was set up at Val d’Or on Air Force Day but there were no accidents.

 

Historical Record
AFP
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

1 Jun 62

Cpl. Klassen and Cpl Bonneville alternating as NCO i/c Val d’Or Detachment AFP.

12 Jun 62

F/L Conn – SOSec’s Staff visit to Station Senneterre and Detachment Val d’Or.

12 Jul 62

LAW Oldham SOS AFP trade – remuster to Clk/Admin.

17 Jul 62

Cpl. Litchfield SOS – SID Saskatoon.

20 Jul 62

LAC Rigby V/PMC of Airmen’s Mess.

8 Aug 62

Air Force Day – Detachment Val d’Or AFP’s Station Senneterre participated. 1,000 vehicles and 4,000 persons.

8 Sep 62

AC2 Brooks – TOS from RCAF Station Camp Borden.

15 Sep 62

PMQ Council Election. Sgt. Holland elected to PMQ Council.

16 Sep 62

"V" Test Team – visit from Command. F/L Bly, F/O Ward and FS Chatburn members.

30 Oct 62

LAC Clifton – SOS to RCAF Station Alsask.

5 Nov 62

AC2 Sutherland – TOS from RCAF Station Camp Borden.

8 Nov 62

AC2 Bignell – TOS from RCAF Station Camp Borden.

11 Nov 62

Armistice Day Parade in town of Senneterre – AFP’s assisted Civil Police in Traffic and Crowd Control.

22 Nov 62

AC2 McInnis – TOS from RCAF Station Camp Borden.

 

Historical Record
Accounts Section
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

Jun 62

The DM Auditors arrived at the unit for an inspection of accounting records which was completed on 18 Jun 62.

Jul 62

On 3 Jul 62, 16673 F/O RE Avery arrived from Centralia to assume the duties of SAO with hand-over being completed that date. 233108 F/L HS Shufelt departed on transfer to 11 TSU Montreal effective 8 Jul 62.

Sep 62

On 15 Sep 62, 18570 FS CK MacDonald departed from the unit for his second overseas tour at 1 Air Division.

Oct 62

On 3 Oct 62, the SAO was admitted to hospital for an emergency appendectomy. ADCHQ was informed by the Commanding Officer and F/L Cady as witness, and F/O Shell as relieving Accountant Officer were sent in to count the cash. Also on this date, 22330 Sgt. WL Mugford was TOS from Station Vancouver.

Nov 62

On 7 Nov 62, F/O Avery returned from sick leave and assumed the duties of SAO. F/O Shell returned to Station Bagotville on 8 Nov 62. A complete SOAF inspection was now due and F/L Stewart and F/O Baker arrived from ADCHQ on 26 Nov 62 and conducted the inspection.

 

Historical Record
Val d’Or Detachment
1 Jun 62 to 30 Nov 62

15 Jul 62

Control Tower staff arrived.

1 Aug 62

The RCAF assumed responsibility for Val d’Or Control Tower from the Department of Transport.

1 – 31 Oct 62

Most of permanent staff arrived during this period. Construction projects were rushing to completion.

19 Nov 62

First CF-101B Voodoo aircraft arrived.

8 Dec 62

Val d’Or Terminal Control Area came into being.