Gander, NF

Confidential
Appendix A to
Historical Report 1965

1. No changes were made in the major role of the station which is: to collect, display, and relay to higher echelons, up to the minute information on the air situation within its area of responsibility.
2. During the past year Station Gander provided support services, material, accounting, and unit liaison to Newfoundland’s 12 Air Cadet Squadrons, 727 Comm Squadron, 114 U Squadron and CFRC at St. John’s.
3. Station Gander provided electronic spares support for DOT radio range stations at Gander, Buchans, St. Andrews and St. John’s.

1. During the year the squadron took part in 20 live exercises and 35 system training exercises. A total of 1,041 intercepts were completed by squadron controllers. The squadron took part in six evaluations, NORAD evaluation of NNR, NNR evaluation of Goose Sector, USAF ADC evaluation of Goose NORAD Sector, Southern Complex evaluation, and a Bi-Regional evaluation. The squadron had an ADC staff visit RSA from SCESO and a favorable report was received from ADC. The unit has the best over all PEGE record in the sector.
2. Six new controllers reported in during the year and five were transferred out. There was a staff increase of one officer and a decrease of twelve airmen.

All new controllers and NCOs completed cross training at the 640^th AC&W Unit and 59 FIS Det 1 at Harmon. A GNS operations officers conference at Goose Bay was attended by the COpsO and CStandO. Station Gander was host to a GNS training conference of twenty officers representing all units in the Goose NORAD Sector on 26 and 27 Oct. Early in December, the CStandO and his staff attended a surveillance conference at 640^th AC&W Unit, Stephenville. In telecommunications, personnel participated in 9 ECM training demonstrations. A maintenance control centre equipment status report training course was run locally in off duty hours. Two formal TA courses each of two weeks duration was conducted. EWU conducted a one day ECM familiarization course on the unit for technical and operations personnel. F/L Coll, AS/FtrC, conducted EDP training until his departure. F/L G Shaw, CTSO, assumed this duty in September and the Gander EDP was rewritten, tested, and proven in November. Four officer cadets received summer training as follows:

Technical

1. (a) Telecommunications

1. Two major modifications were made to this unit’s search radar converting it from FPS-20A to FPS-93A.
2. This unit’s advanced target simulator was sent to Station Mont Apica. In its place, Gander was supplied with a 15-J1D target generator.
3. A single shift maintenance concept was put into effect in the radar section to accommodate a decrease in establishment of 2 Sgts., 2 Cpls., and 2 Acs.
4. Message Centre hours of operation were changed from 0800-2359 to 0800-2000.
5. A communications Operator establishment was reduced by 1 Cpl. and 1 AC and functional control was taken over by the Canadian Forces Communications System.

(b) Photo

201177 Cpl. DF Piercey, Photo Tech 3Y, TOS 16 Oct 65 replaced 201973 Cpl. JF Grogan, Photo Tech 3Y, SOS 15 Oct 65.

(c) Supply

1. Five more PMQs were taken over from civilian occupants and were completely furnished.
2. A CHQ inspection was conducted on 5 Aug 65 by S/L Hines, ADC SOSup/Sup4.
3. Cpl. KS Donaldson was promoted to Sergeant effective 1 Oct 65.
4. The MIC747 modification was completed and surplus items were submitted for disposal.

(d) Construction Engineering

1. In Jan 65 F/L J Daniel replaced F/L Lee as SCEO.
2. In Jul 65, FS Mombourquette replaced FS Green as Foreman of Works.
3. In Aug 65, a major roof repair project to building 86 was completed at a cost of approximately $10,000.00.
4. Extensive interior painting to buildings and facilities was completed during the summer.

(e) Mobile Support Equipment

1. During the period 1 Jan 65 to 31 Dec 65, the unit MSE logged total mileage of 126,468 compared with 149,212 miles in 1964. There was only one accident of a minor nature. Duties included routine runs, ACLO duties, and transportation of visiting dignitaries.
2. The MSE section received a visit from the SOMSE branch in the month of Oct for the annual command inspection.
3. Several changes were made in "A" class equipment. One code A-11 vehicle was allotted to APDAL, and one code A-11 was transferred to the Canadian Army with a replacement code A-11 shipped but not yet received. One code A-6 was transferred to Station Chatham with a B-15 allotted to this station as replacement.

(f) Technical - General

1. The unit was off the air from 12-28 Aug 65 for installation of MK-747 modification. During this period the radomes were recaulked and repainted by a civilian contractor, Unitec International of Canada.
2. In Oct 0A-4381 modification was installed on search radar by unit personnel. At the same time, radar ancillary equipment was overhauled by Canadian Marconi field representatives.

On 12 Aug 65 command of the station was passed from 19893 S/L CN Stanley to 209059 S/L TM Swindells. In July, the accounts section was passed from 18184F/O R Yorke to 12104 F/O J Stager (now F/L). In July the SULO, 55342 F/O DH Douglas, was transferred and was replaced by 201165 F/L JR Raymond. In September 210509 F/L HG Andrews replaced 202402 F/L J Fenwick as COpsO. 99736W F/O B Buchanan replaced 95335W F/O J Mackay as Station Nurse.

Radar section establishment was decreased by 2 Sgts., 2 Cpls., and 2 Acs. Communications operator establishment was reduced by 1 Cpl. and 1 AC. Clerk Admin establishment was reduced by 1 AC.

Recreation

An extensive program of recreational activities was carried out under direction of the Station Recreation Council with a budget of $3,048.00 made up of $548.00 public, $1,500.00 NPF and $1,000.00 membership contributions. Activities included badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, broomball, curling, flag football, hockey, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, station dances, and woodworking. On 14 Jun 65 the annual sports banquet was held. Ralph Backstrom, centre player for Montreal Canadiens, was guest of honour.

On transfer of F/O B Hogan, F/L Starks assumed the duties of PIO on 1 Jun 65. Shortly thereafter, F/L Starks suffered a heart attack and passed his duties to F/L Raymond. In Sept, F/L Raymond was succeeded by F/O Dallimore.

A noteworthy event during the past year was the successful crash landing on 26 Jan 65 near Gander airport of the American aviatrix, Louise Sacchi of Pennsylvania, who was on a solo flight to Europe in a small private aircraft. Mrs. Sacchi is 52 and still owns and pilots her own aircraft. The Station Gander ground search team co-operated in getting her rushed to Patton Memorial Hospital where her injuries were reported to be slight. Other news items in 1965 included:

1. Annual opening Bonspiel 22-24 Jan won by Romaniuk of the Gander Airport Club.
2. Ice Carnival – 1 May, coordinated and organized by the chairman, F/L EH "Red" Andrew.
3. Visit of Hon JR Chalker, Provincial Minister of Public Works who was Guest of Honour at a Mess Dinner.
4. Visit of Ralph Backstrom, star of the NHL Montreal Canadiens who addressed the Annual Sports Dinner on 16 June.
5. Sgt. LG Robinson received Town of Gander and Red Cross citations for his contributions to the very successful Water Safety Program in Gander, utilizing the RCAF pool facilities.
6. Mayor Jack Robertson and former WO (Air Cadet) Pinset were guests of honour at the Annual Air Cadet Conference.

Appendix B to
Historical Report 1965

12 Jan 65

ECM Demonstration by EMU

Third annual Station Gander Invitational Bonspiel was held in the new curling rink.

Live Exercise Chippewa Hunt II. ECM by EWU.

MCCESR reporting course held during off duty hours – 6 personnel trained.

ECM demonstration by EWU.

Canadian Flag Raising Ceremony.

Live exercise Top Rung VII.

Mechanical inspection carried out on FPS-6B pedestal by Canadian General Electric personnel.

Cashier system commenced in accounts section.

ECM demonstration by EWU. 40190 Sgt. LG Thorne TOS as NCO i/c Communications. RSA Evaluation carried out by ADC team.

Formal TA course conducted for Tel personnel writing trade examinations – 10 personnel trained, seven were successful and one ComOp passed written exam but failed practical.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather IV.

Visit by Colonel W Murphy (GADS) Deputy Commander.

Live exercise Cree Feather XII.

Visit by Major General G Turcot, OC Eastern Area Command, and Colonel Pincock, OC Newfoundland Area.

Live exercise Cree Opal I.

ECM demonstration by EWU.

FPS-93A pedestal inspected and checked by Canadian Marconi Company (CMC) representative Goose Air Defence Sector.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather V.

Visit by Colonel WG Lucas, USAF Base Commander, Goose Bay and Commissioner Edwards of Goose Bay, Commissioner of Labrador.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather V.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather VI.

ECM demonstration by EWU.

Live exercise Cree Feather XIII.

Visit by Lt. General Walsh, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Welland, Chief of Operational Readiness, Major General Lilly and A/C Whiting.

Visit by G/C McCaig and G/C Monkman.

18731 Sgt. F Roach replaced 26050 Sgt. JK Tregloan as Chief Operator.

45492 FS WT Green replaced 32570 FS CE Spears as NCO i/c radar.

Passive tracking ECM exercise conducted by EWU.

Live exercise Mute XV.

AOC’s inspection – A/V/M MD Lister, AOC ADC, and W/C EL Olson.

AMC representatives – O/C BT Korchinsk and O/C CE Jackson visited the radar section to collect data for research reports.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather VII.

Station parade Station Handing Over Ceremony from S/L CN Stanley to S/L TM Swindells.

MK-747 modification installed on search radar by civilian contractor (CAE). Radome re-caulked and repainted by civilian contractor (Unitec International of Canada).

Live exercise SAGE 20-65.

Visit by Brigadier General AM Burke (GADS) Commander.

Visit by A/C R Wakefield – RAF Scampton.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather VIII. Single shift maintenance concept adopted in radar section. Visit by Brigadier LE Kenyon, Director General Intelligence CFHQ and:

13 Sep 65

ECM demonstration by EWU.

Formal TA Course commenced for Tel personnel writing trade examinations. Five personnel trained – all passed.

Central band visit – station dance.

Visit by G/C AC Bowes – ADCHQ/SCESO.

15-J1D installed. Radar ancillary equipment overhauled by Canadian Marconi Company field representative/

Visit by Colonel G Hale, Commander Newfoundland Area.

Visit by Inspector S McKinn, RCMP St. John’s.

Live exercise Apache Arrow I.

Visit by Colonel T Willie, Deputy Commander Operations GADS.

GNS Operations Officers Conference. SOSME Visit and Inspection.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather IX. Passive tracking ECM exercise conducted by EWU.

Regional Matron Major Warren visited.

Dental Officer, Major Crossman, on semi-annual visit.

Live exercise Top Rung X. 0A-4381 modification installed on search radar by unit personnel.

RCAC Officers Conference.

Visit and tour by Lewisport Young Peoples Association Group.

Live exercise Big Blast Foxtrot.

Live exercise Chippewa Feather X.

ECM demonstration by EWU.

New office built in FPS-6B tower.

Red Cross Examiners and Instructors Course was held in the Recreation Centre.