Yorkton, SK

HISTORICAL SUMMARY
RCAF STATION YORKTON
1 Jan 64 to 31 Dec 64

RCAF Station Yorkton began the year as a fully operational unit and maintained this status throughout the year. The appearance of the Station has been improved by the completion of grass planting and the addition of 2000 small fir trees to the grounds.

The major function of the unit is that of a long range radar (LRR) and ground-air transmitter-receiver (GATR) facility in the Great Falls NORAD Sector (GFADS) of the 29^th NORAD Region.

1. Summary of Unit Activities:

During the period of this report activities were devoted in the main to the task of maintaining and improving the Unit’s operational capability. In addition effort was expended to improve the physical appearance of the Station and to provide limited services for the personnel residing on the Station. Group tours continued during this period, in order to afford an intelligent understanding of the role of the Unit to those civilians residing in the local area. One highlight of the year was the hosting by the Unit of the annual provincial RCAFA banquet and guest speaker A/M (retired) H Campbell.

2. Operations:

During the period the Unit participated successfully in all Sector and Region exercises.

3. Training:

Effective trade advancement programmes were instituted by the SGTO prior to both the April and October TEs providing very encouraging results. Annual Nuclear Defence training was carried out during the month of Jun. Twenty personnel attended the RM Tech Radar Maintenance course held on the Unit during the month of Nov. During the month of Dec a UPX-14 course was held for six radar technicians. During the summer months Summer Contact Training was carried out for URTP/ROTP officer cadets. The Unit quota consisted of two Pers/Adm., two Tech/Tel and one Tech/CE cadets.

4. Technical:

During the month of Nov, the Operations compound Security Gatehouse was moved to a new location inside the fence adjacent to the entrance gate. On 16 Dec a major breakdown of #2 Power House turbine was experienced. Because #1 was not completely serviceable and #3 had not been taken over from the manufacturer a complete operational power blackout was experienced. Temporary power was supplied from #1 turbine until the following day when commercial power was provided for operational as well as domestic purposes. On 21 Dec, #3 turbine was accepted from the manufacturer to provide a backup for commercial power.

5. Administration:

Normal administrative activities were carried out during the period. During the month of May an NCO cashier system was put into effect on a trial basis in the Accounts Section. The trial proved especially effective on this type of unit where there is only one accountant officer. The trial was terminated in Dec when the NCO cashier proceeded on TD to Station Pagwa.

6. Organization:

During the period one major establishment change was made, that being the deletion of the Nursing Sister. It is felt that by reason of the Unit location in respect to the City of Yorkton and its medical services, the requirement for a nurse is not justified.

7. Official Visits and Inspections:

During the period the unit was visited by the following:

During the period intersection bowling, volleyball and softball leagues were formed. Other activities such as badminton, basketball, curling and square-dancing were provided on a casual basis. Intersection championships were won by the following:

1. Volleyball – Radar
2. Bowling - GATR
3. Softball - Headquarters

The Unit entered a team in the Yorkton Commercial Fastball League. The Station Hockey Team lost out to Bredenbury in semi-finals of the Parkland Hockey League 1963-64 season. A team is once again entered in the Parkland Hockey League for the 1954-65 season.

Signed by:

(T Goldring) W/C
CO RCAF Station Yorkton