Sioux Lookout, ON

Appendix "A"

To AFAO 71.00/01

Preamble

As a result of Canada/United States Government decision, 915 USAF Radar Squadron Sioux Lookout Ontario was programmed to be handed over to RCAF control on 1 Oct 62. This was accomplished on schedule.

The officer complement at the time of handover was:

RCAF Station Sioux Lookout is located 4 miles west of the town of Sioux Lookout, Ontario by line of sight and 13 miles by road. With construction completed in 1952, the unit was under USAF control until the handover date. On handover, the Unit operated one AN/FPS-6B Height Finder, one AN/FPS-20, Search Radar, a Transmitter site and a Receiver site. Under construction and testing were the GATR Site, AN/FPS-7C Search Radar, AN/FPS-26 Height Finder, AN/FST2B Data Converter, Data Monitoring Coordination Centre (DMCC) and a Diesel Power Plant.

The original establishment was 189, made up of 9 officers, 133 airmen and 47 civilians. In addition 4 officers and 41 airmen were established as a supplement for manual operations until such time as the unit would be SAGEed. To fulfil this operational requirement, 10 USAF officers and 10 USAF airmen were retained, the remaining FtrCop personnel being procured from various RCAF units on posting.

USAF Commander 915^th AC&W Squadron: Lt. Col. TE Ashinhurst. F/L DJ Driscoll (Advance party project officer), F/O WJ Albrecht (SSupP) and an airman Refrigeration Technician reported for duty.

F/L JA English (PAdO) and a Clerk Admin. Reported for duty.

F/L HF Smith (SAO) and F/O RP Russell (SCEO) reported for duty.

Unit became self-accounting for supply.

First large influx of personnel arrived.

First civilians for Food Services duties were hired.

RCAF assumed responsibility for rationing. Unit became self-accounting for Pay and M&I. First DRO published. Advance party personnel ceased TD status.

F/L AEV Simpson (CAdO) reported for duty.

CAdO position deleted from establishment. Relative duties were combine under PAdO.

Unit changed to winter dress regulations.

Mr. RW Silman, CPO Station Winnipeg, visited the unit to assist in civilian personnel hiring.

W/C RE Ratcliffe, Commanding Officer, reported for duty.

W/C Ratcliffe and Lt. Col. Ashinhurst departed for Duluth and Truax AFB, Madison, Wisconsin for annual 30^th Air Division Commander’s Conference.

Approximately 30 RCAF and USAF personnel assisted with a ground search party for Mr. William Pearce, aged 70, who had been lost in the woods. The search was successful on the seventh day and Mr. Pearce found alive and well.

W/C Ratcliffe and Lt. Col. Ashinhurst return from Truax.

Official Handover ceremony was performed at 1030 hours. G/C WA Hockney RCAF Sector Commander, Ottawa Sector representing AOC ADCHQ, and Col Harrison R Thyng USAF. Sector Commander Duluth NORAD Sector, participated. Approximately seventy guests from the surrounding area attended the ceremony and a reception following.

RCAF assumed full responsibility for RCAF Station Sioux Lookout. Lt. Col. TE Ashinhurst, retiring USAF Commanding Officer, departed. Seven Canadian Corps of Commissionaires commenced duty.

Commanding Officer’s first staff meeting.

First visit by an ADC HQ officer. Mr. Little, CCPO provided assistance on civilian personnel procurement problem.

RCAF accepted AN/FST 2B Data Converter from Burroughs Business Machines Ltd.

Civilian Personnel Officer Mr. Robert W. McCombe reported for duty. RCAF accepted AN/FPS-7C Search Radar from Canadian General Electric Company.

First Commanding Officer’s parade. 70 personnel were on parade. CD’s were presented to 17392 Sgt WN Jorgensen, 47160 Cpl RH Besse, and 204537 Cpl. ECT Platt.

Unit advised that as a result of the Cuban crisis, CONAD placed on DEFCON 3 effective 1747Z. Station went on ROUNDHOUSE at unit level to ensure operational compatibility.

Unit placed on DEFCON 3 CHARLIE by CINCNORAD effective 1723Z. full Battle Staff manning and Security of the base increased by roving security patrols. Civil Service Commission competitions held on the unit for classified positions under chairmanship of Mr. Ferguson, CSC Winnipeg.

First visit by Area Welfare Officer, F/L J. Eakin, TCHQ Winnipeg.

GATR Site accepted by RCAF from Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd. First RCAF Station Sioux Lookout charge case.

Ground search party organized to find LAC SH Willis lost near mile 23 on Highway 72. Airman walked out of the woods unharmed after spending the night in the bush.

RCAF representatives attended the three church services in the town of Sioux Lookout. Commanding Officer and small supporting party participated in Canadian Legion ceremony held indoors at the Canadian Legion Hall.

First major ADCHQ staff visit comprising G/C KC Cameron, SCESO; G/C TJ Powell SOMS and five other officers of his staff; W/C R Poirier SORA (RC); W/C Rodger SORA (P); W/C AM Campbell FSV AFHQ and S/L EH McCaffrey SOFSV ADCHQ.

LAC CM Tutty, Cook, was reported missing in woods near the unit. Ground search party organized, searched all day of 21 Nov and evening without success. Assistance provided by Ontario Provincial Police, Dept. of Lands and Forests, Civilians from Hudson and an Albatross a/c of 111 Composite Unit Winnipeg. At peak of search over 100 service and civilian personnel were involved.

Funeral Service held in town for LAC Tutty. Remains were sent to Bonnyville, Alberta near Cold Lake for burial. Mrs. CM Tutty, widow, escorted to Station Cold Lake by Cpl. BH Carrico.

2357Z DEFCON 3 dropped to DEFCON 5 on authority of CINCNORAD.

(RE Ratcliffe) W/C
Commanding Officer