Falconbridge, ON

1956 – Historical Narrative – National Archives of Canada


Historical Records
RCAF Station Falconbridge
1 Jun 56 – 30 Nov 56

4 Jun 56

F/L Murchie, Armament Staff Officer, AFHQ, carried out an inspection of the station Armament Section.

13 Jun 56

S/L CH Markham (CTSO), F/O SB Roach (SSO), visited 1SD Downsview and DDP, Toronto for a familiarization tour.

18 Jun 56

W/C Steeves, SOComm, ADCHQ, made an inspection of the Comms section.

21 Jun 56

The teletype switchboard installation was completed.

23 Jun 56

Eleven telecom personnel from RCAF Station North Bay visited this unit for familiarization tour.

25 Jun 56

Sgt. WL Panton, retiring VMEO, departed on retirement leave.

30 Jun 56

394 intercepts completed by operations during the month.

3 Jul 56

Sgt. JA Finnigan became VMEO on transfer from St. Hubert.

4 Jul 56

F/L AC Thirlwall proceeded on release leave and was succeeded as Station Adjutant by F/O JM Roberts from St. Hubert.

14 Jul 56

Seven officer personnel from 2424 AC&W Squadron Hamilton for Summer Training.

20 Jul 56

The official opening of the children’s wading pool in the PMQ Area took place this date. The money for this project was provided by the Women’s Auxiliary. Three additional officer personnel arrived from 2424 AC&W Squadron Hamilton for Summer Training.

21 Jul 56

Inflammable stores building for Supply was completed last week of Jul 56.

23 Jul 56

F/L RM McKenzie (SAO) transferred to Station Bagotville.

26 Jul 56

19781 S/L CH Markham departed on transfer to AFHQ. F/L HWG Collard assumed duties of CTSO until arrival of S/L BHC Spicer. WO2 Smith assumed the duties normally handled by F/L Collard.

27 Jul 56

The installation of video mapping equipment was completed.

28 Jul 56

Twenty-two personnel of 50 GObC Detachment North Bay arrived for a familiarization tour. The party was broken into four groups and each group was conducted by a staff officer of this unit. Luncheon was served in the Officers’ Mess. F/L JA Barrett reported from Station Uplands and assumed the duties of SAO.

31 Jul 56

584 practice intercepts completed by operations during the month.

2 Aug 56

S/L Merrifield, REO at CGE Toronto inspected the installation of AN/FP-6 Tower.

3 Aug 56

AN/GPA 30 Video Mapper was put into service on this date.

9 Aug 56

Miss G Fulton and Mr. S Woodend arrived from ADCHQ as observers for Exercise Caveman. The second conference regarding the installation of AN/FPS-6 was held this date. In attendance were representatives from AFHQ, AMC, ADC, DCL, Fleet Mfg Co. and RCA Victor.

10 Aug 56

Exercise Caveman took place in 3 sector. Cameras for photographing PPI display and General Situation Map plotting board were installed.

22 Aug 56

A VME Contest was held to determine a representative for the ADC competition at Uplands – LAC RB Francis ME Tech was adjudged the winner.

27 Aug 56

S/L BH Spicer became CTSO on transfer in from 1 Air Div. The erection of steel construction for the Admin building was completed.

31 Aug 56

RCA engineers completed local acceptance tests on microwave installation. S/L Powell SOCE ADCHQ visited this unit to discuss 1957-58 CE estimates. 610 intercepts completed by operations this month.

10 Sep 56

Eleven graduating Tel Tech officers from R&CS Clinton visited unit on a two day tour.

13 Sep 56

Major Chiccolella and Captain Hill, CO and SigsO from 912 AC&W Ramore here for familiarization tour.

14 Sep 56

LAC RB Francis to Uplands to compete in driving contest.

16 Sep 56

Battle of Britain Sunday was celebrated at this unit by combined RC and Protestant services in the Rec. Hall.

17 Sep 56

S/L Hodgins, S/L Milne, AFHQ Supply Inspection Team arrived for a periodic inspection.

23 Sep 56

F/L HWG Collard transferred to 1 Group HQ Montreal for post-graduate work at McGill University.

24 Sep 56

Ten officers from 433 Squadron North Bay visited operations section for familiarization tour.

28 Sep 56

Mr. H Hately, Bell Telephone wire chief, returned to former job in Windsor, Ontario, after serving 22 months at this station.

30 Sep 56

580 intercepts completed by operations during the month.

5 Oct 56

Installation of the FPS-6 Height Finder commenced the middle of Aug. Six weeks later on 5 Oct flight trials were completed and the radar was accepted by the RCAF. Soon after this, and before the equipment had been used operationally, a major breakdown in the antenna system occurred. This took nine days to correct. A period of training followed during which both technicians and operators gained some knowledge of this new weapon. About the middle of Nov the FPS-6 was turned over to operations and it was put to serious use. Many component failures have occurred and many magnetrons have been used in the life of this radar. Most of these failures have taken place in the transmitting system. This is no doubt due to the very high peak power being transmitted. This radar is within 160 feet of the operations building and because of this some startling things have happened. The photographer has had many of his photo flash bulbs go off unexpectedly. The neon strip lamps used for lighting on the fourth floor have been seen to light when not switched on. Arcing has occurred in the FPS-3 antenna when the FPS-3 was off. These incidents were all caused by the powerful radiation from the FPS-6. The greatest problem created by this radiation was a damaging effect to the upper beam of the FPS-3. Finally operation of the FPS-6 in the direction of the FPS-3 had to be stopped. Since this action was taken the serviceability of the FPS-3 upper beam has been normal. With the coming of this very high power radar more serious thought has been given to the possible injury to personnel from radiation. Certain areas near the equipment are being treated with great respect. Periodical medicals will be given a higher priority.

12 Oct 56

Microwave communications over Adcomm Phases 5 and 6 was established between RCAF Station Falconbridge, Station North Bay, Station Senneterre and Station Edgar commencing operation at 0830 hours, 12 Oct 56. The system was installed by the RCA Victor Co. Ltd., using RCA CW20A microwave and Standard Telephone Co. Multiplex. Facilities are being maintained by civilian representatives from the RCA Co for 11 voice lines and 5 teletypes lines.

13 Oct 56

Visit of 32 personnel of the Sudbury branch of the Engineering Institute of Canada. Visit consisted of a briefing, lunch in Officers’ mess and complete tour of the station.

14 Oct 56

One officer and three airmen arrived on cross-training from 753 AC&W Squadron Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

15 Oct 56

Mr. HB Copeland took over duties of CPO. Demolition of 11 buildings in the old contractors camp on the east side of the station was completed second week of Oct 56.

18 Oct 56

Exercise Caveman "A" took place in 3 Sector.

31 Oct 56

484 intercepts completed by operations during the month.

1 Nov 56

W/C Berg proceeded on temporary duty to ADCHQ.

5 Nov 56

Four officers from 104 "K" Flight St. Hubert visited Operations for ECM lectures. S/L Spicer (CTSO) and F/O Thirlwall (CEO) proceeded to Foymount for inspection of combined Mess with view to minor renovations in our own.

12 Nov 56

Nineteen officers of Telecom Course 14 from Clinton, visited the station.

17 Nov 56

20002 S/L CAS Anderson proceeded to 104 "K" Flight St. Hubert for an ECM indoctrination course.

18 Nov 56

Exercise Caveman "B" took place in 3 Sector.

21 Nov 56

S/L CAS Anderson proceeded to 3 ADCC for an ECM Conference.

26 Nov 56

F/O Roach attended the Supply Officers Conference at ADCHQ.

30 Nov 56

Exercise Caveman "B2-Point Attack" took place in 3 Sector.