St. Sylvestre, QC

1. To provide control facilities for fighter squadrons of ADC as directed by the Sector Commander.
2. To collect, evaluate and display information on the air situation within its area of responsibility for use by military agencies and Civil Defence authorities.
3. To provide early warning services within the area of surveillance.
4. To commit such Air Defence forces as may be assigned. Wing Commander Mitchener is appointed CO of 13 AC&W as defined by QR(Air) Art 1.02 (xxi)(d). Administrative control is exercised by AOC, ADC and operational control by Sector Commander, 1 ADCC. Transfer or posting of personnel is to be arranged by AFHQ and ADCHQ.

2 - The unit is self-accounting for pay and materiel and for purposes of QR(Air) Art 204.40 is not designated as a flying unit.

3 - Accommodation, Messing, Medical, Dental and Chaplaincy services are to be arranged by AOC, ADC.

4 - The address of the unit is:

5 - The advance party lived in the Contractor’s Staff house and ate in the Contractor’s Mess Hall. As the Accountant officer had not yet arrived, normal Supply and Accounting procedures were carried out but Pay and Allowance records were maintained by 11 TSU, Montreal. It is interesting to note that during this time, NPF Capital increased from nil to $1,969.20 and Messing under expenditure which was also later capitalized, increased from nil to $2,319.30.

6 - The AFP Section was officially opened on 15 Oct 53. At this time only one member of the RCAF and three Corps of Commissionaires, who had been employed by the Construction Company and were retained by the Air Force, were employed in this section.

7 - F/O WG Moore arrived on 8 Feb 54 to assume the duties of Accountant officer. On 13 Feb 54, 13 AC&W Sqn came into force. On 23 Feb 54, the first teletype was installed to St. Hubert and was utilized as an Admin Circuit.

8 - On 13 Mar 54 the Combined Officers’ and Senior NCOs’ Mess was officially opened. Local civilian dignitaries attended, as well as the Hon. Hughes Lapointe, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and G/C Scott ADCHQ representing the AOC, ADCHQ. March also saw visits from A/V/M James, AOC. ADC, accompanied by his aide and a delegation of CE personnel led by G/C Ingles. The purpose of the CE visit was to review the construction programme and note any deficiencies.

9 - 1 R&CS Detachment arrived from Clinton to operate a School for training Radar Technicians on AN/CPS-6B training. On 10 Apr 54, AN/CPS 6B and AN/GPX-6 was accepted from the contractor. The first adjutant, F/O E Martinson arrived on the unit.

10 - 1 R&CS commenced training of students.

11 - Temporary telephones are no longer necessary as NE 603 telephone system placed into operation.

12 - This month saw Long Line DND 862H to Caswell installed as well as Long Lines 862E, 682G, 682F placed in service. A/C Long arrived accompanied by S/L Powell to survey the unit needs for access roads. W/C Mitchener, CO, left to attend a Controllers’ course in Tyndall, Florida. S/L Kelly assumed the duties of Acting CO.

13 - W/C LF Dupuis is appointed Commanding Officer of RCAF Station St. Sylvestre while W/C Mitchener is transferred to RCAF Station Lac St. Denis as Commanding Officer of 11 AC&W Squadron. S/L Kelly continues to assume Command of the unit until W/C Dupuis returns from Tyndall, Florida off of the Controllers’ Course.

14 - The Contractor’s Staff House was renovated in order that it could be used as a Barrack Block for the expanding unit. The contractor’s Main office building was renovated and utilized as an Administration Building also, the contractor’s canteen was converted to a Hobby Shop. Personnel-wise saw the arrival of the CEO, F/O RF Maxon. RCAF Station St. Sylvestre sent its first contingent of personnel to parade in Quebec City at the Battle of Britain Service. It rained. This month also witnessed the opening of separate Officers’ and Sgts.’ Messes.

15 - On 11 November, Remembrance Day Services were observed with the Canadian Army (Reserve) in Thetford Mines, Quebec. On 13 November, W/C LP Dupuis arrived to assume command of 13 AC&W Sqn. S/L Kelly relinquished duties as Acting CO. Telecon-wise A/G/A (UHF and VHF) and HF facilities were accepted and ready to put into service. Hurricane "Hazel" left extensive repairs to be carried out on roads and drainage. Clothes lines, block heaters and door bells were installed in PMQ’s.

16 - The Officers’ Mess held its first Mess Dinner.

17 - F/O AE Bradbury arrived from 1 OS London to assume the duties of adjutant from F/O Martinsen, who is being released. F/L P Graham arrived to assume the duties of COpsO. EW kit was installed on 6B and the TP5502 height finder.

18 - An Officers’ Mess Dinner was held on 12 Jan 55 at which the following guests were present:

19 - Three Auxiliary AC&W Squadrons have been attached to this unit for Reserve Weekend Training. 2450 Sqn, Sherbrooke and 2452 Sqn Quebec is being attached for winter training only.

20 - The AN/TPS-502 Radar Height Finder accepted by RCAF on 4 Feb 55 while the EW kit for AN/CPS-6B with associated IFF installation was accepted on 19 Feb 55.

21 - On 11 Feb 55 an Officers’ Mess Dinner was held. The guest list included the following visitors:

These officers were snowbound due to a heavy snowstorm. Brigadier Allard came to the rescue with a snowmobile and our guests departed in a rather unusual manner.

22 - EW Operations commenced this month on a limited scale. 1 R&CS Detachment operate from 08:00 - 16:00 hours daily with 13 AC&W Sqn operating from 16:00 - 08:00 hours daily. F/L PS Graham performed the duties of Acting COpsO.

23 - The DCL Building is being renovated to be used as an Education Building.

24 - The Status Teletype loops was installed.

25 - The Officers’ Mess held a formal Dinner Dance this month.

26 - The RCAF assumed responsibility for maintenance of all Radar equipment.

27 - On 17 May 55 on authority of App "A" to Org Order 5.41.1 dated 1 Dec 54, 1 R&CS Detachment was disbanded. The last course graduated 16 May 55. All equipment was then given a complete overhaul after which 13 AC&W went on 24 hour EW operations.

28 - CARDE experiment commenced. This is a series of trials undertaken on a long term basis, involving control of CEPE aircraft under direction of CARDE.

29 - An Officers’ Mess Dinner was held on 9 May 55 which the following visitors attended:

30 - Longlines 8621, 862J, 682K to Carleston installed, on 9 Jun 55. On 11 Jun, 15J1D Radar trainer installed. On 23 Jun, the Grador Motor Patrol DND 78H76-C55 was received. This piece of equipment has already earned its money. It has contributed in keeping the access road in a fairly good condition thereby prolonging the life of NDN and private vehicles. It was also used in the snow clearance on the Station proper.

31 - On 30 Jun, Long line 574T to 1 ADCC was installed.

32 - S/L RE Churchill arrived to assume the duties of COpsO.

33 - On 21 Jul 55, Fascimilie equipment AN/TCX-1C was installed, and on 7 July 55 Long lines 242, 243, 244 to Moisie were installed.

34 - On 19 Jul, Exercise DEEPROCK took place involving overfly with considerable ECM activity by SAC. Exercise terminated 23 Jul.

35 - The unit is now operating as GCI during daylight hours. Identification is being tried but monitored by Mont Apica.

36 - We received Tractor Agricultural c/w overhead loader DND 57H34B55. The addition of this vehicle to the unit’s establishment was a welcomed move. It has permitted a great saving in man hours, has made certain jobs easier and was instrumental in completing some undertakings in a more efficient and expeditious manner.

37 - This piece of equipment has already earned its money. It has contributed in keeping the access road in fairly good condition thereby prolonging the life of DND and private vehicles. It was also used in snow clearance of the station proper.

38 - A bowling alley leanto was added on to the Recreation Hall. Two bowling alleys were purchased by NPF and installed.

39 - Long line 601H to Radio range Mont Joli was installed.

40 - An extensive water conservation programme was initiated and the water consumption was reduced from 230 gallons per person per day to 130 gallons. Several leaks were investigated and repaired and a pressure reducing valve was installed on the main water line reducing the pressure by 50 lbs.

41 - A skating rink and outdoor 25 yard range and ski tow were constructed.

42 - The exterior of all permanent buildings on the townsite were painted. This includes the Combined Mess, 2 Barrack Blocks, Recreation Hall, CE, Supply, ME Section, Hospital, CHP and Guard House. The exteriors of 15 PMQ’s were painted in an attractive color scheme similar to modern housing developments. The remainder of the PMQs will be painted in the summer of 56-57.

43 - The Station Infirmary has a full establishment for the first time and as a result is operating 24 hours a day.

44 - 13 AC&W assumed a fully operational role. Exercise BRACKET occurred, consisting of Carcinotron trials with an RAF Hastings. The exercise terminated on 30 Sep 55. W/C ER Logan, A/C Roberts, RAF; F/L DA Reid arrived in conjunction with this exercise.

45 - We received Snowmobile Bombardier DND 38A55-A52. This vehicle has proven its worth on several occasions during the past winter where it was the only vehicle that could be used on certain snow storms to provide proper manning of TX and RX Sites, the Water pumps and afford pick up of key personnel in St. Sylvestre.

46 - Search Radar AN/FPS-502 and associated IFF was installed.

47 - LAC Kennedy was admitted in emergency to Station Infirmary, and had to be transported to Quebec Military Hospital when road conditions were terrible, i.e. icy roads endangering the lives of F/O Marquis and LAC Moreau detailed for the trip. It took six hours to reach Quebec but their mission was a success. Unfortunately, LAC Kennedy died in Quebec the next day.

48 - F/O LGE Martin, one of our first nursing sisters was released. Her release was the starting point of a non-ending series of changes in the medical staff.

49 - On 25 Nov an Officers’ Mess Dinner was held which was attended by the following guests:

A/C Reyno arrived with his wife to visit this station. Mrs. Reyno was received by the officers’ wives. A/C Reyno spoke to the Senior NCOs at a luncheon held in the Sergeant’s Mess.

50 - AN/GNH-501 Recording equipment was installed. CGE commenced installation of Microwave equipment.

51 - Exercise CRACKERJACK commenced. This exercise involved formations from SAC and was terminated on 6 Dec 55, much sooner than expected.

52 - The unit is now fully operational on a GCI basis with one slight discrepancy; final identification is still being handled by Mont Apica. This situation is caused by insufficient communication with Largo. {Web Site note: Largo was the callsign for 1 ADCC which was located at RCAF Station Lac St. Denis}

53 - Only major exercises are noted here. SAC overflies with associated intercept action have reached a pitch where they are considered routine, although affording excellent training and experience to our controllers.

54 - Cpl. O’Neill arrived to replace the NCO supervisor at the Station Infirmary.

55 - Microwave equipment placed in operation.

56 - F/O A Wojnarski arrived from London, Ontario as NS. Medical staff is now almost complete.

57 - An Officers’ Mess Dinner was held on 13 Jan at which the following guests were in attendance:

58 - Normal operations.

59 - Consultants from George Demers, Consulting Engineers, Quebec, arrived on the station and carried out the siting of the new Admin. Building, ME extension, Fire Hall, Barrack Block extension and swimming pool.

60 - An Officers’ Mess Dinner was held on 24 Feb at which the following guests were present:

61 - The station had the highest intercept total to date:

62 - On 23 Mar an Officers’ Mess Dinner was held at which the following guests were present:

Signed by:

(LP Dupuis) W/C,
CO, RCAF Station St. Sylvestre