Beaverbank, NS

1957 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


SECRET

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Beaverbank
1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

Section IV – Senior Controller

The following is an outline of the activities of the Senior Controller section for this period.

4 Dec 57

Received UFO report from Bagpipe. Passed to Mohawk. Navy a/c under control for practice intercepts for radar and radio contact. Passed to Mohawk.

6 Dec 57

Received report Super Constellation flying low with one engine on fire. Contact AF 55119. Negative engine on fire.

9 Dec 57

Mechanical Jamming experienced this unit at 360/80. Aircraft dropping jamming. Aircraft AF 21755.

13 Dec 57

Bagpipe report a/c circled their position and fire red flares.

14 Dec 57

Air Defence Warning Test by COC.

18 Dec 57

Permission granted to Jam Redtape given to Fricassee 3. Jamming condition is 3 Electronic. Ceased jamming by Fricassee 3.

19 Dec 57

Redtape had pair of Navy a/c for practice intercepts. ECM strobes at 342 degrees. Mohawk informed.

25 Dec 57

Speedbird 686 has declared an emergency with a fire in one engine. Air France a/c is escorting him into Sydney.

27 Dec 57

All land lines out for 45 minutes due to fire in Springhill.

30 Dec 57

Air Defence Warning Test originated by ADC COC.

Summary of Operations for month of December 1957

Tracks detected

3519

Unknowns

14

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

33

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

nil

Controlled Flights

6

Handovers

16

Emergency

nil

Radar Advisory

2

Canned Tracks

nil

3 Jan 58

Clipper 6 given flight following on 121.5, handed over to Pepper.

6 Jan 58

Experienced "E" and "N" ECM from ECM a/c working with Founder. "E" ECM condition 1 only. Little effect on our operational capability.

9 Jan 58

Sector ordered this unit only to "Cocked Pistol" at 1650Z. The Navy had three Banshees airborne at 1716Z available for tactical action. Released from "Cocked Pistol" at 0050Z 10 Jan 58.

10 Jan 58

Two Banshees, BD 12 and 3 committed against unknown YB 65. Fighters handed over to Pepper who completed the intercept. YB 65 identified as FR.

11 Jan 58

Auxiliary controller #52, completed two intercepts with two F-86’s from Chatham before one a/c was forced to return due to inverter failure.

13 Jan 58

Six intercepts completed with two Banshees.

14 Jan 58

29 Intercepts completed with four pair of Banshees.

27 Jan 58

A MATS aircraft (AF 33285) was given assistance through the sub-sector. His compass and gyros were unserviceable. Lt. Commander Radford and Lt. Morrison from RCNS Shearwater visited Operations during the day.

29 Jan 58

Slant antenna tilt check (Using solar radiation measurement) attempted. Postponed because of equipment failure. 36 intercepts completed during evening shift with RCN aircraft.

30 Jan 58

Prime Minister’s aircraft landed at Halifax with no advance warning to this unit or Sector. Operations quiet. EW u/s at 0650Z.

31 Jan 58

EW Kit serviceable at 1055Z.

Summary of Operations for month of January 1958

Tracks detected

3743

Unknowns

38

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

75

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

1

Controlled Flights

3

Handovers

11

Emergency

nil

Radar Advisory

3

Canned Tracks

nil

1 Feb 58

Four auxiliary officers up for weekend training. Two Flight Cadets, one member of the teaching staff (Professor of Engineering) and the resident Cadet Liaison Officer visited the Operations Building during the afternoon. These people were from Dalhousie University. Four synthetic intercepts completed.

2 Feb 58

Auxiliary controllers completed 17 synthetic intercepts.

3 Feb 58

One unknown detected. Reason - No flight plan.

4 Feb 58

Two unknowns detected. Reason - No flight plans. Received interference on EW which Techs said was external. Checks produced negative results. Source remained unknown. Cameras recorded interference at 2314-2321Z.

5 Feb 58

GE Techs commenced annual peaking of FPS-502 and TPS-502. Heavy external interference received during period caused by P2V from Greenwood. Navigation assistance given to one SAC and one MATS a/c. Solar radiation recorded on slant beams, first of three days.

6 Feb 58

TU-104 passed through our area in the afternoon. Solid coverage from QA 52 to HP 41.

7 Feb 58

Solar radiation recorded on slant beams. Last of three days.

8 Feb 58

Auxiliary personnel up for weekend training.

9 Feb 58

One Auxiliary controller reported in due to others writing promotion exams. One unknown during period. Re-identified as a probable weather balloon.

10 Feb 58

TU-104 passed through our area on return trip. Scope photographs and Spotted Dog sent to Command.

11 Feb 58

MAC made available one P2V for approximately one hour during afternoon to test check effects of the P2V radar against ours. Scope photos taken. Monitored frequencies of picket ship and AEW&C aircraft stationed closest to us to obtain information on the feasibility of plotting traffic passed to them. Commenced photographing PE presentation on VL & VC every four hours for three days at 11 2200Z. 10 intercepts completed on the afternoon shift.

12 Feb 58

Received Mechanical ECM for approximately 35 minutes during the midnight shift. To TAC action taken. Monitored Picket Ship and AEW&C A/ConH/F.

14 Feb 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

15 Feb 58

Began 48 hour monitoring of Picket Ship and AEW&C a/c. Three Auxiliary controllers up for weekend training. Five unknowns during period.

16 Feb 58

No a/c from Chatham for auxiliary controllers during weekend. 15J1D u/s completely. Being shipped out. Electronic and Mechanical ECM received during day shift. Nil TACAN action.

17 Feb 58

Surveillance given to Navy 1306. U/S radio compass. H/F back to normal frequencies.

19 Feb 58

There were several unknowns during this period. The cause - EW IFF out of synchronization.

20 Feb 58

Scheduled ECM exercise cancelled. One unknown. No flight plan.

22 Feb 58

One Auxiliary controller present for weekend training. No a/c available from Chatham.

23 Feb 58

Two Auxiliary controllers present for weekend training.

25 Feb 58

Two surface vessels sighted by AEW&C a/c. Air Senior at 4360 degrees north, 5340 degrees west. These vessels remained unidentified.

26 Feb 58

20 surface vessels sighted at 4334 degrees north, 5000 degrees W identified as Russian trawlers. These ships have been under observation for some time. One unknown due to IFF out of synchronization.

28 Feb 58

Three unknowns during shift. No flight plans.

Summary of Operations for month of February 1958

Tracks detected

3568

Unknowns

19

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

14

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

21

Controlled Flights

2

Handovers

14

Emergency

nil

Radar Advisory

3

Canned Tracks

3

1 Mar 58

Four auxiliary controllers up for weekend training.

2 Mar 58

One unknown. No flight plan. Four auxiliary controllers present.

3 Mar 58

Three unknowns during shift period - no flight plans. Majority of the unknowns originated in the New York Oceanic Air Traffic Control area for which we do not receive flight plans.

6 Mar 58

ECM exercise with Fricassee 3 - one C-119 from St. Hubert. ECM (E) affected VL mainly. Little or no effect on other beams. Two Banshees scrambled from Shearwater successfully intercepted the ECM a/c under control of Redtape 6.

7 Mar 58

Unit Security Alert sounded when a stranger was found in the Operations building. The penetration team was organized by F/O Laurin by order of the Commanding Officer. Purpose - an internal check of Station Security measures. For the first time in this units history, Eagle Beak handed over 6 F-89’s for control to intercept a target consisting of two T-33’s. All aircraft were from Presque Isle. The fighters consisting of two sections of three a/c/ each. The a/c were under the control of controller #4 and #6. Results - 3 MA’s, 1 visual and 2 MI’s.

8 Mar 58

Three Auxiliary Controllers present for weekend training.

9 Mar 58

Four Auxiliary Controllers present for weekend training.

10 Mar 58

Nine day-fighter type intercepts attempted with two Banshees from 870 Squadron. 1 MI. Picket Station 12 A commenced a two week trial period in telling to this unit. One unknown which was re-identified FR by the Navy.

13 Mar 58

Combined RN, RCN and RCAF Exercise "Maple Royal" began at dawn. For the exercise the USAF provided one AEW&C a/c (RC 1210) whose mission was to provide early warning on the attacking fleets aircraft & to control land based fighters scrambled for intercept purposes. F/L Gatz of this unit was aboard the AEW&C a/c as an observer.

14 Mar 58

Small amount of Electrical & Mechanical ECM received from an ECM a/c in Midwife’s area. One unknown later re-identified as FR. Majority of tracks passed by Picket Ship is classified as unknown initially due to no flight plan information on their tracks.

15 Mar 58

One unknown which originated in New York Oceanic ATC area later re-identified as FR.

17 Mar 58

Commenced one week trial period which AEW&C a/c on Station 2 A will pass tracks to this unit.

19 Mar 58

Deputy AOC A/C Reyno visited Station on annual inspection. Considerable difficulty in maintaining H/F contact with picket ship and a/c. Two CF-100’s flew two missions over the combined RN/RCN fleet, 220-250 miles off shore. One unknown later re-identified as FR. No flight plan.

20 Mar 58

Seven PI’s with Navy Banshees. One unknown - later flight plan, re-identified FR.

22 Mar 58

Considerable difficulty in establishing two way contact with Seaward Extension units last few days.

24 Mar 58

Reasonable contact with Picket Ship. Poor contact with Picket a/c last few days. Seven intercepts with Navy Banshees.

25 Mar 58

One unknown, an MAC P2V, later re-identified FR. Seaward Extension test ended. H/F now on normal frequency.

26 Mar 58

One unknown re-identified FR. Aircraft beyond flight plan limits.

28 Mar 58

One unknown re-identified FR as a Navy Banshee on 100 NM local.

29 Mar 58

One intercept attempted & completed by Auxiliary Controller with 4 F-86’s from Chatham.

Summary of Operations for month of March 1958

Tracks detected

4475

Unknowns

8

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

37

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

nil

Controlled Flights

10

Handovers

16

Emergency

1

Radar Advisory

6

Canned Tracks

nil

1 Apr 58

One unknown due to FSP.

2 Apr 58

One unknown later re-identified as part of a SAC overfly.

3 Apr 58

One unknown re-identified FR by authentication.

10 Apr 58

Two unknowns. No flight plan, later re-identified FR. One unknown beyond flight plan correlation limits re-identified FR.

14 Apr 58

Eagle Beak handed over three F-89’s to intercept a T-33 on a round robin trip from PQI-CW-QM-FC-PQI. Two multiple intercepts attempted against the target. F/L Hall at Eagle Beak advises an attempt will be made to hand over fighters for an exercise of this type more often. All concerned were very satisfied with the exercise.

15 Apr 58

15 practice intercepts with Navy Banshees.

16 Apr 58

Eight CF-100’s from 413 (AW) Squadron now at Chatham. These a/c will be based at Chatham for the next two weeks for the purpose of giving controllers in #2 Sector intercept practice. Eight intercepts with CF-100’s. Received H/O of three F-89’s from Eagle Beak. One multiple intercept attempted and completed. IFF modified in order that Mode 3 presentation be received on the normal position and interrogation on Modes 1 & 2 on the spring-loaded positions. One Auxiliary Controller here two weeks for summer camp completed nine intercepts with Banshees. One unknown - no flight plan.

17 Apr 58

Received H/O from Eagle Beak of three F-89’s to intercept a Faker target? One multiple intercept attempted and completed. Eight intercepts with CF-100’s. Seven intercepts with Banshees by Auxiliary controller. One unknown due to faulty surveillance.

18 Apr 58

19 intercepts with CF-100’s.

19 Apr 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

21 Apr 58

Received UFOB from Bagpipe. Unable to obtain information as to possible identification. One unknown - no flight plan. Two intercepts with CF-100’s.

23 Apr 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

24 Apr 58

12 intercepts with CF-100’s. Two unknowns - late and incorrect flight plans.

25 Apr 58

Four unknowns - no flight plans. Four intercepts with CF-100’s.

28 Apr 58

Six intercepts with CF-100’s.

29 Apr 58

Six intercepts with CF-100’s. This is the last mission with the CF-100’s as they return to BG tomorrow.

30 Apr 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

Summary of Operations for month of April 1958

Tracks detected

4489

Unknowns

26

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

93

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

nil

Controlled Flights

nil

Handovers

13

Emergency

nil

Radar Advisory

5

Canned Tracks

nil

1 May 58

Four unknowns - no flight plans.

2 May 58

Five unknowns - no flight plans.

3 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

4 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

5 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan. Majority of these unknowns are re-identified FR by Wild Bill within 30 to 45 minutes.

6 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

10 May 58

Four intercepts by Auxiliary Controller with two F-89’s from Chatham.

13 May 58

Simulated Air Defence Readiness called at 1300Z - released at 1500Z. Navy ordered 3 a/c to 10 minutes at 1324Z - released to one hour at 1449Z. There was no further action. Two unknowns - no flight plans.

14 May 58

Received H/O of two F-89’s from Eagle Beak to intercept Faker aircraft - two MA’s.

16 May 58

Two unknowns - no flight plans.

17 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

19 May 58

Seven unknowns - no flight plans.

20 May 58

Three unknowns - no flight plans. Received H/O of three F-89’s from Eagle Beak to intercept a Faker target. Two MA’s, one MI. Two Banshees scrambled from Shearwater after same target. Both aircraft passed beneath while still climbing unable to make altitude in time. Four unknowns - three no flight plans, one late flight plan.

22 May 58

104 "K" Flight a/c Fricassee 1 in area for ECM exercise today and tomorrow. Electronic ECM received on EW Kit only. Condition one. Small amount of chaff received on b-B and EW beams. Navy unable to provide Banshees for intercept purposes.

23 May 58

Fricassee 1 more effective on 6-B and EW Kit beams today than yesterday. Navy Banshees cancelled due to weather.

24 May 58

Three unknowns - no flight plans.

26 May 58

Four unknowns - no flight plans.

28 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan. AF 64390 given navigational assistance around weather.

29 May 58

Two unknowns - no flight plans. Emergency squawk picked up in Midwife’s area under Midwife’s control.

31 May 58

One unknown - no flight plan.

Summary of Operations for month of May 1958

Tracks detected

5774

Unknowns

50

Intercepts against unknowns

nil

Intercepts - Practice - Live

7

Intercepts - Synthetic - Practice

nil

Controlled Flights

7

Handovers

32

Emergency

nil

Radar Advisory

10

Signed by:

(RD Forbes-Roberts) W/C
Commanding Officer,
RCAF Station Beaverbank, NS