Edgar, ON

1961 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


NARRATIVE REPORT
Ottawa NORAD Sector, Edgar, Ontario
Period 1 Jun 61 to 30 Nov 61

10 Jun 61

Exercise "Think Ahead", a live exercise involving both NNR and 30th NORAD Region. This exercise was designed primarily to test as realistically as possible, under existing peacetime directives, all facilities of the two regions mentioned. It further served as a Tac evaluation of Cleveland ADA.

5 Jul 61

W/C CD Barnett assumed command of RCAF Station Foymount.

19 Jul 61

Exercise Catseye IV was a "No Warning" exercise conducted for Ottawa NORAD Sector only. The primary objective was to exercise all ONS units on a "no warning" basis, to emphasize the importance of target heights in an ECM environment, and to exercise the turnaround capability at fighter bases.

1 Aug 61

Effective this date, a change in operational boundaries occurred involving ONS. The changes are described in detail in ONS file 55-55-08 (SecCmdr) dated 3 Jul 61.

3 Aug 61

This unit was visited by Air Marshall Hugh Campbell, CAS RCAF. His visit consisted of a full briefing at the Sector Headquarters, in particular the new boundaries of Ottawa NORAD Sector.

15 Aug 61

Exercise "Desk Top IV" was an STM designed to test the complete operation of NORAD. Although a synthetic exercise, those points pertinent to the Air Defence of this continent were stressed, and most weaknesses made apparent.

21 Aug 61

Air Commodore PA Gilchrist, recently appointed Chief of Staff, NNR, visited ONS where he was briefed by G/C WA Hockney.

1 and 2 Sep 61

G/C Hockney attended the International Air Show as representative of AOC, ADC.

21 Sep 61

Exercise "Catseye V" was held, and all problems considered the exercise ran very well with all units in ONS experiencing little or no difficulties.

26 Sep 61

An STM Category III exercise was held this date involving both NNR and 26th NR. This film was designed to train Battle Staff personnel at sector level and to provide interceptor and surveillance training at GCI level. It particularly stressed coordination training between sectors.

28 Sep 61

G/C WL Gillespie, the CO of Station Uplands, visited ONS and received a briefing from G/C Hockney.

5 Oct 61

Exercise "Dutchmaster" was held with the 26th NORAD Region.

13 Oct 61

Tri-Region STM 727 with NNR as a preliminary to Exercise Sky Shield.

14 Oct 61

Exercise "Sky Shield II".

16 Oct 61

RCAF Station Edgar changed from manual to SAGE and commenced telling information to Syracuse, NY to whom they are now operationally responsible.

30 and 31 Oct 61

A COpsOs Conference was held in conjunction with an STOP Conference.

1 Nov 61

410(AW) Squadron was stood down and proceeded to Namao for conversion training on CF-101s.

10 Nov 61

A Bomarc Conference was held at ONS with Syracuse NORAD Sector to discuss the employment of Niagara Bomarcs in the ONS area of responsibility. A/C PA Gilchrist was in attendance.

21 Nov 61

Exercise "Dutchmaster" was held with the 26th NORAD Region.

26 Nov 61

Colonel EA Herbes, Commander of Syracuse NORAD Sector, visited ONS to discuss matters of mutual interest and attend a mess dinner.

28 Nov 61

Exercise "Desk Top IV (STM)" was re-run, involving all units of NORAD.

29 Nov 61

A new Tactical Control Line Agreement, was implemented between NNR and 26th NORAD Region this date.

Submitted by:

(WA Hockney) G/G
Commander
Ottawa NORAD Sector
RCAF Station Edgar, Ont.