In 1952 the United States Air Force formed the 915th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. At that time, the new unit was homeless but was destined to be housed somewhere in Canada. Construction for its home site was already underway up in the wilderness of Northwestern Ontario. The fall of 1952 saw the first advance party of the 915th move into their new home, while the spring of 1953 saw the site move into full operational status. The site at that time, as were all the sites, was manual. The Americans were only posted there for six month unaccompanied because it was considered an isolated posting. However, when some servicemen left, they also took a few local girls with them. This created some bad feeling between the young men in the town and station personnel. As well as isolation, another reason for the short posting was that housing then was a problem. There were no PMQs and very few empty houses to be found in town. Today, that situation has improved considerably, since CFS Sioux Lookout now has its own trailer park with 59 trailers, located in town. The situation has improved but not yet been overcome. Even today some members spend their first few months here unaccompanied until housing is available.
Despite the early problems, for almost ten years the 915th performed its duty exceptionally well and earned the slogan Tops on the Pinetree. Then in the fall of 1962, control of the site was handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force. At the same time, the site was re-christened the 39th Radar Squadron.
The site stayed with the RCAF and continued performing well until 1968 when it again changed hands and this time was reborn as Canadian Forces Station Sioux Lookout. Today, CFS Sioux Lookout continues to live up to the fine examples of operational effectiveness set by its predecessors. Presently, Sioux Lookout operates under the control of 23rd NORAD Region Headquarters in Duluth. Its equipment consists of the FPS-6B height-finder, one of three Canadian FPS-107 search radars (the other two are at Yorkton and Alsask) and, of course, the necessary Common Digitizer and GATR equipment.
CFS Sioux Lookout now has the distinction of being classed as a semi-isolated Station. It deserves its classification, especially when you consider that the population of the two nearest towns add up to about 4,000. (The towns have grown considerably since the site was first built 26 years ago). The town of Sioux Lookout is 12 miles from the Station by road; 4 miles as the raven flies. Its population is 3,000 plus. That leaves the hamlet of Hudson, about 10 miles down the road from the Station in the other direction. The nearest large town (or more correctly, largish town) is Dryden, Ontario which is about an hours drive from the base.
Sioux Lookouts nearest point of departure is Winnipeg. One can get there in five hours by car, or in seven hours by train (which can be caught at the bright and early time of 04:00 hours every day). Its no wonder that when many people hear about their first tour of duty to CFS Sioux Lookout, they shudder and balk and connive about changing their posting. On the other hand, most ex-Sioux Lookouters are planning and conniving a way to get back.
So, what is it that turns these faint-hearts into people who have to be dragged away from the site after repeated extensions? It cant be the luxuries and conveniences that the town offers because there are very few. The Town of Sioux Lookout is a railroad town, middle-class, and there are more inconveniences than conveniences to be found. It cant be the promise of higher education that makes people want to stay because the nearest college is located in Thunder Bay.
So, what is the attraction at Sioux Lookout? Well, I suppose its that Sioux Lookout offers something for just about everyone if they are willing to go out and get involved.
Being an isolated small town, Sioux Lookout is almost forced to be self-supporting and both the town and the Station operate on the principal of self-help. Also, since the PMQs are located in the town, Station personnel have an excellent opportunity to become involved in community affairs. The Station, because it is small, does not offer the usual Forces churches and schools. Instead, dependants have to get out and mingle with the townsfolk. This affords the newcomer a chance to hear about various activities and gives a sense of welcome, since, like most small towns, Sioux Lookout is friendly and is also very receptive towards the military population.
There are many different activities to be found in town and there is sure to be at least one military person involved in each. There are projects involving the schools, the churches, Guides and Scouts, the hospitals, work with the handicapped and many more. The town of Sioux Lookout also has its own Recreation Council that controls a wide variety of sports activities, both winter and summer. These include hockey, skating, skiing, summer camps, sailing and swimming. Just about any sport can be found, as long as there is someone willing to take control and organize it. Finally, last but not least, for the outdoors man, Sioux Lookout is a paradise. The area offers the finest fishing and hunting to be found anywhere in Canada and its right outside the door. Fishing is available in both winter and summer with the most common fish caught being pickerel and jackfish. In the fall and winter there is moose hunting and trapping. Some station personnel have become so addicted to the outdoor life that they own their own trap lines and take a months leave in winter to work them.
As mentioned previously, Sioux Lookout offers very few luxuries; however, it does have all the basics. There are two grade schools, Roman Catholic and Public, as well as one high school in the town. The Anglican, Roman Catholic, United and Baptist churches always welcome new members. In the local stores and businesses, all the necessary basic items can be found to keep body, soul and house together. With the exception of the Hudsons Bay and Simpsons order houses, and possibly one or two others, all of the businesses are locally owned and operated. One can also find branches of various service and fraternity clubs such as the Rotary, Lions, Mason and Local Order of Moose. Also, the local Legion often holds various community functions in its main hall in town. As well, there is a movie theatre, food take-out place and two or three very good restaurants and bars. Sioux Lookout is also able to outfit anyone for any activity that he would care to participate in from skates to boats.
Now, getting back to the Station life, a newcomer could find himself becoming quite involved here very quickly in various projects as well as his primary function. Since the number of personnel is small, everybody ends up doing something. There are mess committees for organizing major functions like Oktoberfest and Winter Carnival; clubs such as the photography club, auto club and hobby club; station newspaper and many sports events. The station is equipped with a curling rink, gymnasium, bowling alley and ski trail, all operated and maintained by Station personnel. The Station plays in various leagues downtown and competes with other Bases and Stations across Canada.
The list of what to do in Sioux Lookout is endless, as it is in most places. However, the difference lies in the visibility of the activities. In Sioux Lookout there are so many things to do and not enough people to do them, whereas on a large Base in a big city there are also a lot of things to do, but more than enough people to do them.
I would not hesitate to say that living in an area such as Sioux Lookout can give a person a sense of accomplishment. Things arent going to be done unless each individual wants to do it. If someone wants his son to attend Scouts then he may have to be the Scout Leader and if someone else wants a dance at the Winter Carnival then he may have to organize it.
There is a good feeling at Sioux Lookout, a closeness among the Station personnel and a rapport between the Station and town. Of course, its far from being Utopia. Pockets of resentment exist as they do in any relationship. Youll also find hardcore skeptics who detest every minute they spend at Sioux Lookout, but these are few and far between. Most people become addicted to life here after only spending a few months. For the most part, youll find the majority of those who put down Sioux Lookout have never even been here. And to them it should be said, dont knock it till you try it and if you do try it, there is a good possibility that you will end up with a hankering to return, many years after you leave Sioux Lookout. Theres a saying up there that once youve been here, people will always return, sometime. And they do!
This article was written by Lt. PA Humby and was published in the C&E Newsletter 1980/1