St. Margarets, NB

16 Jun 58

Male Officer’s quarters were moved from upstairs of Barrack block 2 to upstairs of Barrack Block 3, which had recently been accepted. The Sr. NCOs quarters were moved from BB #1 to the downstairs of BB #3.

Female officers moved to upstairs of BB #2.

Airwomen took over the downstairs of the small wing of BB #2, with the result that they now occupy the entire downstairs. All double-bunk beds were removed from their quarters.

Airmen moved from BB #1 to BB #3. BB #1 continued to be used as quarters for Reserve personnel, and to provide extra accommodation required in case of Station alerts. Sports Stores and Hobby Shops were moved to BB #1.

Work begun on construction of Recreation Centre.

Landscaping of PMQ lots completed, along with paving of streets in James Park.

30 garages in PMQ area completed and ready for renting.

F/L GH Howson (SO Sec) carried out an ADC Inspection of the AFP Section.

At 1830 hours St. Margarets underwent a Vulnerability Test by the ADCHQ team, lead by F/L Howson with a six-hour warning period. The object of the test was to penetrate and capture essential buildings. Five members, all of whom were "captured" took part in the test. The TX site was the only building which was penetrated and captured.

Sgt. Lewis, NCO i/c AFP, away on TD with ADCHQ Vulnerability Test Team.

Sgt. Lewis on TD to Camp Borden for ABCD course.

Cpl. Maule transferred in from Station Goose Bay.

Cpl. Woods transferred in from Station Claresholm.

Three Commissionaires hired, one resigned and one dismissed.

A SAC training mission of 3 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

F/O Gorling transferred to Station Moisie effective 7 Jun reporting 9 Jun 58.

S/L JC Hall DFC transferred from 2 ADCC to 21 AC&W Squadron St Margarets to assume the duties of Chief Operations Officer.

A SAC training mission of 5 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

F/L Garth reported here from 2405 AC&W Squadron for summer training for period 21 June to 5 Jul 58.

Electronic jamming was experienced from 1112Z until 1158Z and from 1955Z to 2001Z. This mission was carried out by 2 aircraft of the 64^th Air Div call signs "Kenneth 5 and 12".

2 SAC training missions penetrated the sub-sector. The first consisting of 2 F-100s and the other 4 F-102s and 1 F-89.

This unit encountered ECM from 1541Z to 1656Z.

F/L Large reported here for summer training from 2405 AC&W Squadron for the period 5 Jul to 19 Jul.

F/O Honsberger (AS/FtrC) on TD to CPU course at Station Cold Lake.

A SAC training mission of 3 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

This unit encountered Electronic jamming from 1514Z to 1558Z. The mission was carried out by 1 B-29 from 64^th Air Div, call sign "Kenneth 17".

F/O Birch reported here for Summer Training from 2405 AC&W Squadron for period 16 Jul – 30 Jul.

28 ACs and 3 AWs reported here for summer training from 2424 AC&W Squadron Hamilton.

A SAC training mission of 3 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

F/O Deacon (Air Pilot) to Tyndall AFB Florida for Fighter Controllers Course. S/L Chodat CO SOS on transfer to 5 Air Div HQ.

F/O Mayne (AS/FtrC) to O’Hara AFB Illinois for WSEG trials.

W/C DL Ramsay assumed command of Station St Margarets.

The FPS-6 shut down during day shift only, for approximately one week. (installation of Plastic Radome).

Synthetic Triangulation exercises with "Signpost" commenced with exercise #1.

This unit experienced Electronic jamming from 1825Z to 2006Z. The jamming mission was carried out by an aircraft from 64 Air Div call sign "Kenneth 4".

A SAC training mission of 11 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

A SAC training mission of 16 B-47s penetrated the sub-sector.

7 B-47s of SAC penetrated the sub-sector.

A "Mayday" was received on this unit on "White 2" one F-86 from Station Chatham. Helicopter was dispatched to the scene. Rescue was successfully accomplished.

Electronic and mechanical jamming was encountered by this unit from 1411Z to 1644Z.

F/O Bygrave (AS/FtrC) to Camp Borden for Ground Defence Course.

At 0432Z this unit went on a state of "Cocked Pistol". "Apple Jack" was declared at 0544Z. "Snowman" at 1200Z. "Apple Jack" again at 1650Z. "Lemon Juice" at 1720Z, "Apple Jack" once again at 1908Z and "Snowman" at 2152Z. Exercise finished at 2300Z.

On 22 Sep – NORAD Operational Forms numbers 4, 5 and 17 were put into use on this unit.

At 0740Z this unit went on a state of "Cocked Pistol" for exercise "Desk Top". "Lemon Juice" was declared at 1000Z, "Apple Jack" at 1329Z and "Snow Man" at 1930Z. The exercise finished at 2000Z.

A/V/M WR MacBrien AOC accompanied by his executive assistant S/L Lomas, visited the unit and made a tour of the Operations section. Electronic jamming was encountered by this unit from 2057Z to 2135Z. The mission was carried out by an aircraft from 64^th Air Div, call sign "Kenneth 9".

F/O Brophy (AS/FtrC) to CPU course at Cold lake.

A night flying programme was carried out by Station Chatham. Four aircraft were carried on both local and cross country flying for 1 hr and 30 minutes. This unit went on a state of "Cocked Pistol" at 1807Z, "Apple Jack" at 2145Z.

"Lemon Juice" was declared at 0545Z, "Apple Jack" at 1153Z, "Lemon Juice" again at 1845Z and exercise was over at 1913Z.

This unit reverted to Atlantic Standard time as 2359 from daylight saving.

S/L JC Hall, F/L Crooks and FS DH McElroy to STP course at Santa Monica California from 27 Oct – 7 Nov.

This unit participated in exercise "Common Cause" a GObC exercise which commenced at 1215Z.

A night flying programme was carried out by Station Chatham with 14 aircraft carried on both local and cross country flying from 2200Z to 0300Z 5 Nov.

Reorientation to magnetic variation was completed on the GSM and scopes.

2 ADCC went on a state of "Dutch Treat" at 2221Z.

At 1050Z (Fisher 20) a SAC aircraft, penetrating the sub-sector, declared an emergency due to loss of part of the stabilizer and requested flight following from this unit. Flight following was provided until Fisher 20 was handed over to Loring AFB approach control.

Mr. W White, the STP representative from Systems Development Corporation arrived on the unit.

Electronic Jamming was experienced by this unit during Exercise "All Star" from 0110Z to 0157Z and again from 0606Z to 0655Z. This jamming mission was carried out by 2 B-52s from SAC.

F/L Dickson (AS/FtrC) to Yuma Arizona for Controllers Proficiency Course.

This unit continued to function in its assigned role as directed in ADC Ops plan.

During this period of time 21 Squadron carried 20,378 tracks, of which 70 were classed "Unknown" of which total of unknowns 49 were later identified, leaving 21 tracks remaining "Unknown".

The one room operations system is maintained and the unit remains responsible for the display of all track information in #2 Sector. A total of 67,712 flight plans were received during this period. Tote boards are used extensively for the display of amplifying track and tactical data.

This unit continues to supply close control for air to air firing and flight surveillance for training aircraft of 1 (F) OTU at Station Chatham. Throughout the period an average of three controllers operating on regular day shift, compiled a total of 104,575 scope hours. During this period a total of 4,406 missions flown by 1 (F) OTU aircraft were controlled by this unit. Following is a breakdown of controller activity:

In addition to the normal commitment of this unit there were 905 missions controlled on handovers for such exercises as "Profile" and "Shakeup".

Training programmes for controllers and FtrCops were handled by one officer, one senior NCO and 4 Corporals. Trade Advancement courses were held during Sep – Oct 58, with 34 FtrCops attending. Each course was two weeks duration and conducted in accordance with ASI 3/4/7. In addition weekend TA consisting of lectures and demonstrations was given to approximately 85 FtrCops from the day crews on duty during Jun – Nov 58 to familiarize personnel on new equipment and procedures.

A three day indoctrination course was held 4-6 Jul 58 for the benefit of 36 FtrCops from Hamilton AC&W (Aux) unit attached to St Margarets for summer Training. This course consisted of formal lectures and on-the-job training in the FtrCop trade.

One ICA course was held 17-21 Nov with nine FtrCops attending. This five day course consisted of formal lectures and on-the-job training to qualify FtrCops as ICAs. Tradesman responsibilities listed in ADCIs were fully explained and phase tests were given periodically during weekend TA. From the results of these phase tests, statements of Weaknesses were prepared and all FtrCops were informed and given direction to organize self-study programmes accordingly.

During this period there were an average of 116 FtrCops divided into six crews. There were an average of 8 senior NCOs and 13 Corporals acting as supervisory personnel. During this time average controller strength for this period was 13. There were 6 officers employed as crew controllers with the balance of the controllers working the normal day shift. The figures for controllers include the operations staff positions.

The following officers were promoted by an AFHQ letter dated 22 Sep 58.

F/O Deacon to F/L.
F/O Shepherd to F/L.

In this report a brief description is given of major incidents that occurred in the Telecommunications Section during the period 1 Jun 58 to 30 Nov 58. It is broken down into three main divisions:

(a) Radar History

(b) Communications History

(c) Personnel Movement

AN/GPS-T2 Trainer: The main radar installations continued in routine use with normal maintenance troubles due to wear and tear of equipment. Ancillary equipment in use was increased with the installation of a simulator trainer type AN/GPS-T2. This piece of equipment was installed in the Radar Monitor Room. It provides simulated tracks for both the FPS-3 and the FPS-6 for use in training exercises. Difficulties were encountered in making this unit operational for the first exercise, but normal maintenance practices soon had the bugs out and the equipment now provides satisfactory exercises.

FPS-6 Installation: The erection of a new radome on top of the FPS-6 Arctic Tower changed the skyline of the station. This radome is of the new type made of fiberglass. It is self supporting and slightly amber in colour. Erection of the dome was done by the Long Sault Construction Company. It was completed in five days from start to finish.

TPS-501: A TPS-501 installation was removed from the top of the North Tower, leaving one installation in the South Tower as back-up for the FPS-6 Height Finder.

Peaking and Overhaul: A routine peaking of the FPS-3 was carried out the first week in October by a small party from Northern Electric, assisted by RCAF technicians. The annual overhaul of the FPS-6 was carried out in the last week in October by a party from the General Electric Company in Toronto.

Training Courses: Formal training of airmen continued with two airmen going to Clinton for a course on the 15-J1D trainer and one Sr NCO on the SSTS course at Camp Borden.

GT28 Transmitter Experiments: TCA are continuing to use our GT28 installation in their experiments to broadcast weather information by radio teletype to civilian aircraft flying the North Atlantic route. The tests have been carried out for the past two years with good reception reported up to ranges of 1,500 miles.

New ATU Hut: The RF energy from the LF transmitter has caused fires in a number of ATU huts at other units. The RCAF is replacing these wooden structures with new fire proof buildings made of cement. The new ATU hut was completed in November. Transfer of the equipment was delayed until the contractor receives his special coaxial cable need to extend the transmission in the added distance.

Overhauls: The yearly communications overhaul was carried out be Northern Electric Company during the month of November. In line with the RCAF’s new policy of gradually taking over more maintenance responsibility, the overhaul party only worked on the VHF, UHF and test equipment.

HF Frequency Changes: The Northern Electric party installed nine halyards on the HF antenna poles. This was part of the follow-up action on an extensive new frequency assignment plan.

Com Techs will be required to do a considerable amount of work on the antenna farm, therefore, it was hoped that the halyards would have been installed during the summer rather than early winter. The following paragraph is a gem of wisdom submitted by one of our happy technicians who will be working on the HF Antenna Farm this winter:

"Whilst the boys at the Remote Sites have much to be happy about, still not all is sweetness and light. Last September this section was handed a 14 foot scroll containing a list of frequency changes affecting our HF back-up nets, which also stated that halyards would be installed by 15 Sep so that our eager technicians could do the necessary lowering, shifting and raising of the complicated antenna system. As this is being one-fingered on the old Royal, the eight-inch-deep snow is lazily swirling in the 15 mph breeze and the temperature is hovering around the old "nothing" mark on the thermometer. Things are fine, though, the halyard installation was completed yesterday. Now all that remains, is the lowering, moving, cutting, splicing, wrapping cold hard wire to cold hard wire, hoisting, moving transmission line poles, and attaching transmission lines".

Telephone Maintenance: The slow build-up of telephone technicians at this station, with the idea in mind that the Air force Technicians would eventually take over responsibility for telephone maintenance from the civilian telephone company technicians has materialized. RCAF Station St. Margarets assume full responsibility for the NE603 telephone system as of 1 Oct.

Training Courses: With the continued use of more UHF facilities there is a requirement for technicians to have formal training on UHF servicing. In the past six months approximately five of our older technicians have revolved through the six week UHF course at RCAF Station Clinton.