Sydney, NS

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Sydney, NS
1 Jun 55 to 30 Nov 55

G/C Costello, AFHQ/DRA (RC) and W/C Gallagher, CCHAP (RC) visited the Station today on religious administration matters.

F/O J Quarnstrom and three FtrCops from Station Beaverbank arrived on the Station on TD for cross training in Operations. F/O JO McNeill and 3 airmen from here proceeded to Station Beaverbank in exchange. This evening, the Subway Softball team from Sydney played an exhibition match with a Station team on the Station field. Although the Station team was outclassed by the visitors, who play in the intermediate city league, an interesting game resulted. Station softball is a very popular sport and an active inter-section league is functioning, playing games about three nights per week. In addition, various challenge games and "grudge battles" are staged between the Officers and NCO’s, Officers and Airmen, and between various of the Operations crews during off duty periods.
Mr. Mitchell, field engineer for DCL, visited the Station regarding siting of the Rec. Centre (still coming).
Cpl. Baker of the ME Section was involved in an accident while driving G/C Swetman, CO Station Summerside from inspection of the North Sydney RCAF Squadron to Sydney Airport. At Ashby Corner in Sydney, a pedestrian (later found to be under the influence) stepped off the curb right in front of the staff car and suffered a broken leg. Subsequent police investigation cleared Cpl. Baker of responsibility and no damage to the vehicle resulted.

The NCO’s Mess held a Mess Dinner this evening.

Things are back to normal today in Operations. The Beaverbank visitors departed and F/O McNeill and his crew returned from Beaverbank.

LACs E Andoney, JJA Myles and RJ Elliott (FtrCops) were promoted to A/Cpl. today and departed on posting to the Auxiliary AC&W Squadrons in Quebec City and Three Rivers where they will spend the summer instructing.

F/L Nourse (COpsO) departed today on TD to AFHQ for briefing on his upcoming transfer to liaison duties with the USAF at Stewart AFB, Newburgh, NY.

Our cordial relations with the local populace bore fruit today when the Cape Breton Turf Club donated ten gate passes to the Station. For use during their summer programme by devotees of harness racing.

F/L Nourse returned from AFHQ, all "genned" up on the trials and tribulations of liaison officers.

F/L Nourse proceeded on TD today to Stewart AFB to get the lay of the land in his new post.

F/L Newbegin (CTSO) on TD to ADCHQ to attend CTSO’s conference.

F/L Nourse and F/L Newbegin returned today.

Mr. Vic Lyons, new supervisor for Bell Telephone Company, visited the Station today for a liaison visit with the Wire Chief.

F/O Bessy and Machen, of Defence Research Medical Laboratory at IAM arrived today to conduct experiments in Operations Room Lighting. F/O’s Roach (SSO) and Richard (CEO) proceeded on TD to Station Beaverbank and the Halifax area for a liaison visit concerning Pinetree accounting and supply of materials from DDP, Halifax.

The cornerstone was laid today, with the formation of a Station Newspaper Committee, for the publication of a Station periodical. Considerable literary interest is being displayed by Station personnel and it is hoped that the first issue will be published in the fall. It has been decided that, because of the size of the Station, a regular monthly or quarterly publication will not be undertaken; rather, the aim is to publish, on a when required basis, the Best Station Magazine, containing articles of lasting interest rather than the quickly-dated gossip, news of comings and goings, etc. which rapidly fades in interest. The aim in our magazine will be to portray, for the benefit of personnel elsewhere, the conditions of life at Station Sydney and, more particularly, some of the local colour with which Cape Breton is rich.

A Station Picnic was held today at Marion Bridge on the Mira River. A large proportion of the Station attended, including dependents, and a glorious day, weather-wise, ensured the success of the occasion. Races were held for the children, swimming was enjoyed, and suppertime brought a typical picnic lunch of hot dogs, ice cream and soft drinks. A good time was had by all and as dusk descended a weary, but happy, cavalcade wended its way back to the Station.

F/O JW Thompson, AWelO, MACHQ visited the Station again to make his services available to Station personnel. F/O’s Bessey and Machen, having concluded their lighting research, left the Station today. F/O’s Roach and Richard returned from their expedition to Halifax.

The CO proceeded on leave today and F/L Newbegin assumed temporary command of the Station.

Major Borratt and Lt. Budd of the Corps of Commissionaire’s HQ in Halifax visited the Station today on their annual inspection of Corps detachments throughout the province.

F/O JW MacDonald, Sector TelO, visited the Station on a telecom liaison visit today. S/L FR Sarty of ADC/SOGT also dropped in to review ground training and offer some advice and suggestions in matters of TA training and the like.

F/L Nourse departed today on leave prior to transfer and F/O HG Brooks assumed the position of Acting COpsO.

S/L AR Jobson and two NCOs of AFHQ, and F/O MT Renaud of ADC/SOSup arrived today for a supply inspection. Supply accounting and administration received a thorough "going-over" during their three day visit, but on departure S/L Jobson had high praise for the fine state in which his team found our supply affairs.

F/L KJ Reid, Sector IO, visited the Station arriving today for a four-day stay. During this time, he gave excellent briefings to all officers, and to Ops personnel on the Russian Air Force.
F/O DM Wach, AS/FtrC arrived from Station Beaverbank for a period of cross-training and familiarization.

F/O Brooks assumed the position of Chief Operations Officer today, when F/L Nourse was SOS on transfer to Special Duties List.

FS JS Rattee of ADC/SOCE visited the Station to inspect water and sewer services.

The CO returned to duty today from leave, and a short period of TD at DRML/IAM where he consulted with specialists on Operations Room lighting.

F/L JS Bonham, CChap (P) MACHQ, visited the Station today for a two day period, on religious matters.

F/L HA Hind of ADC/SOAF arrived today on TD to replace F/O AW Beals, SAO, who is hospitalized.
Mr. FG Bishop of Firestone Rubber Company arrived today with a team of workmen to undertake painting of the radomes. This promises a "face lifting" of sorts for the Station since the now familiar black balloons will soon blossom forth in coats of white paint. The Radar personnel are quietly hoping that the change in colour scheme might help in reducing, at least a little, the rather stifling atmosphere which a hot summer day now brings to the balloons.

F/O Brooks departed today for intercept practice at Caswell AFB, Limestone, Maine.

F/O GW Campbell of Station St. Margarets and F/O RL Holland of Station Beaverbank arrived today for a period of cross training and familiarization.

WO1 FN Manning of AFHQ/DCED visited the Station today regarding heating and steam distribution.
WO2 RW Baillieul, Foreman of Works, who was one of the Station pioneers and acted as CEO from the opening of the Station until F/O Richard’s arrival last February, was SOS today on transfer to RCAF Detachment Fort Churchill.

F/L Newbegin, CTSO, departed today on TD to ADCHQ on a telecom staff visit.

The painting of the radomes is now completed and Mr. Bishop of Firestone Rubber Company departed today.

F/O Holland departed today to return to Station Beaverbank. F/L Newbegin returned from his TD trip to Command.

The CO and F/O Richard, CEO, departed today on TD to Station St. Margarets for a liaison visit concerning operations and CE matters.

F/O CR Berry, AS/FtrC, recently re-appointed, was TOS today on posting from 1OS for familiarization training pending FtrC course.

F/O Campbell finished his tour of cross training and returned to Station St. Margarets today.

F/O Brooks returned from TD at Limestone AFB, and the CO and CEO returned from Station St. Margarets to return things to normal amongst the officers of the Station.

EB Murrin, New Principal of Queen’s School reported for duty today, replacing GE Aucoin who has left the fold to accept a teaching position at St. Francois Xavier Junior College. Things are starting to hum around the school now getting geared up for the influx of pupils next week.

F/L AL (Gus) Clarke of 2416 AC&WS (Aux.), Ottawa, was TOS today for a period of special duty, undergoing familiarization.

Some of the wandering boys came home today; A/Cpls. Andoney, Myles and Elliott returned from their summer of instruction Auxiliary personnel at Three Rivers and Quebec City. Although they profess to have had an enjoyable summer, and their return precipitates reversion to LAC and return to normal crew duties and shift work, they aver that they are glad to be back. Apparently Cape Breton’s charm isn’t underestimated.

F/O AL Beals, SAO, after another bout in hospital with the hepatitis bug, returned to duty today and F/O HA Hind, ADC/SOAF, who has been pinch-hitting in the financial world for the past 2-3 weeks, returned to ADC.
F/O EW Fox was TOS today from Station Foymount and assumed the duties of STelO.

FS AW Francis of ADC/SOCE made a staff visit to the Station today.

The CO departed on TD to the ECM familiarization course at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss., USA. F/L Newbegin assumed temporary Command.

F/L (N/S) JE Parent visits the Station today from ADC/SOMS and found the medical situation well in hand.

The CO returned today from his trip to the Deep South.

F/O Ker and 4 FtrCops departed today on a cross training trip to 640^th AC&WS USAF, Stephenville, Nfld.

F/O Ker and his crew returned from "Newfie".

A meeting was held today to reorganize and plan the retraining of the Ground SAR party. Since the opening of the Station and formation of the original party, transfers, etc., have cut a large hole in the personnel and to ensure that we are all at all times able to put a qualified and worthy rescue team out for operations as required, the reorganization and retraining is being undertaken.

The CO proceeded on TD today to ADCHQ for the CO’s conference.
Sgt. JA Dubois who has acted as Adjutant and Admin. Specialist for the Station throughout its early days, and until the arrival of the CAdO in February, was SOS today on transfer to 4(F)Wing.

"P" Day again! And, once again, Station Sydney came up with a healthy share of promotions. Jim Boughen, NCO i/c Mess and the delight of Station gastronomers, henceforth to be labelled Sgt., whilst the following suddenly sprout two hooks each: Andoney (FtrCop); Boudreault (TTOp); Begin, Lofgren, Parker, Langdon (Radar Techs G); McMillan (OpMME) and MacPherson (FSA).

F/L Gus Clarke ceased his special duty today and returned to his prosaic position with the Civil Service in Ottawa.

The Canada Savings Bond Campaign got underway on the Station today with F/O Berry as coordinator. F/O Berry, besides being our most recent addition, was late of insurance selling fame in Victoria, BC, so what brighter prospect for a high-pressure coordinator to put the Station "over the top".

A Mobile Repair Party from Northern Electric arrived today to undertake overhaul and peaking of the radar equipment.
F/L JS Bonham, CChap (P), MACHQ, made another staff visit to Station Sydney today.

The CO returned today, with the latest "gen", from the CO’s conference.

F/O Berry proceeded on TD to Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Fla., for the FtrC course.
S/L ET Albert, F/L GA Armstrong and F/O TW MacDonald, all of 2 ADCC visited the Station today on an operational and telecom liaison visit.

The Sector "wheels" departed today, but were quickly replaced in the visitors book by W/C W Trischuck, ADC/SOCE, S/L CR Young and F/L McConnell of AFHQ who arrived for a two day visit to review and discuss accommodation requirements.

F/O GE Carter of Station St. Margarets arrived today for a period of cross training and familiarization in Operations.

F/O TEG Ker departed today on TD to 1R&CS Clinton for the Guided Missile indoctrination course.
The Officers and NCO’s Messes held Halloween Dances tonight so more than a normal share of gremlins, goblins, witches and spooks were abroad when all and sundry seized the opportunity to dress up for both masquerade parties which were rousing successes.

F/L CA Dingwall, ADC/SORA Legal Officer visited the Station today.

The CO and F/O Brooks, COpsO departed today to attend a GObC conference at Moncton. F/L Newbegin again assumed temporary command.

F/L Dingwall departed today to return to St. Hubert.

S/L FR Sarty, ADC/SOGT visited the Station today on a staff visit concerning ground training matters.

W/C W Rodger, CChap (P) made a staff visit to the Station today, remaining until 11 Nov to discuss and review religious matters with our officiating clergyman, Reverend WC MacDonald of Trinity United Church, Whitney, Pier.
The CO and F/O Brooks returned today from Moncton.

Station personnel ranged far and wide today throughout the Cape Breton industrial area, representing the RCAF at various Remembrance Day Services.

F/O Ker returned from TD at Station Clinton.

F/L Smith of ADC/SOAC visited the Station today for an operations staff visit.

F/L Smith returned to ADC, and F/O Carter to Station St. Margarets, today. 1^st Lt. HK Fenton and two airmen from 640^th AC&WS USAF visited the Station today for a one week familiarization visit on UHF communications.

WO2 RHM Armstrong of ADC/SOCE, Assistant Fire Marshall, made a staff visit to the Station today.

Lt. Fenton and his crew departed today to return to Stephenville.
F/L Newbegin assumed temporary command today when the CO proceeded on leave.

F/O TM Anderson, AS/FtrC was TOS today from 1OS for familiarization and contact training prior to attending the FtrC Course.

F/O EJ McLaren of Station Chatham (Photo Officer) arrived today for a period of TD to assist in the installation of scope and plotting board cameras for the coming Exercise "Crackerjack".

F/O Richard, CEO, departed on TD to ADC for the CEO’s conference.

F/O McLaren, having completed the camera installation and trials, departed today to return to Station Chatham.

F/L DG Pilon and F/O MJ LeSaulnier of ADC/SOSec, made a staff visit to the Station today.
A firing party and bearer party, commanded by F/O Ker today attended the funeral of 231066 LAC JM Kennedy of Station St. Sylvestre, which was held at Dominion, CB.

Increased security precautions went into effect today as a preliminary to Exercise Crackerjack which is to start at any time from tomorrow onwards. Although it is not definite that this Station is to be directly involved, all precautions are being taken to assure that maximum effect will be made by the Unit is we are involved.

Signed by:
(GA Armstrong) S/L