Holberg, BC
1950 - A History of Holberg - 30th Anniversary Yearbook
- October 1950 -- Initial construction of the Holberg Radar Station began. Horses were used to extend the plank logging road from the Alaska Pine Logging camp to the current domestic site. Construction of living accommodation was started, and utilizing a hastily built connecting road with very steep grades, the top of Mount Brandes was leveled to accommodate construction of the radar site. It was some three years before the buildings were accepted from the contractors.
- 15 December 1953 -- Beautiful day. Accounts Officer arrived - paid at 20:00 hours in the canteen.
1953 - 1956 -- A/S/L RFM Walker
- 1 January 1954 -- The unit was activated for administrative purposes in order to take over the services and maintain buildings as completed by the contractors. The initial establishment was 7 Officers, 101 Airmen and 27 civilians for a total of 135. (Establishment in 1984 consisted of 16 Officers, 174 other ranks and 57 civilians for a total of 247).
- 25 April 1954 -- The unit becomes operational. Officially designated #501 Aircraft Warning Squadron, RCAF Station Holberg, BC, its primary function was that of early warning: "to collect, evaluate and display information on the air situation within its area of responsibility and provide early warning services in the area of surveillance of its radar". Although originally to be in operation 8 hours per day, from the offset it fulfilled its function around the clock despite the fact that it was manned by an establishment intended for 8 hours. Operational control was exercised by AOC Air Defence Command through the Sector Commander of 5th Air Division Control Centre in Vancouver. A title change on 5 July 1954 to RCAF Station Holberg, BC, did not alter its role of 16 hours Early Warning and 8 hours of Ground Control Intercept.
- 27 July 1954 -- Heavy gale today, knocking clothes dryers in the PMQ area all over.
- 27 December 1954 -- A snow plow operated by one of our CE section airman slipped off the road and plunged down the mountain side coming to rest against a tree stump. The driver unable to leave the cab at the time of the incident was shaken and bruised. The vehicle itself sustained only minor damage to the left front mud guard.
- 21 December 1955 -- Holberg Inlet covered with a four inch layer of ice. One foot of snow has fallen to date.
1956 - 1958 -- S/L DK Game
- 1 August 1956 -- A change in the operational role to continuous Ground Control Intercept resulted in the Squadron being re-designated as the 53rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. In this configuration it continued to assume a major role in the Air Defence System in Canada.
- 10 February 1957 -- Gale force winds, coupled with a power failure resulted in the destruction of the radome. The power failure lasted only 26 minutes but the unit was off the air until 5 March 1957.
- 3 May 1957 -- The number of pets owned by married RCAF personnel at this Vancouver Island base has dropped off at an alarming rate during the last few months. It's a problem, but not a mystery. The dogs and cats are being eaten by cougars. Base officers say 17 dogs and cats have disappeared in six weeks and now there are only seven cats and five dogs left in camp.
- 30 September 1957 -- When RCAF Station Tofino closed down on 30 September, Holberg assumed responsibility for their sub-sector and with it their share of the intercept load. This resulted in 463 intercepts for the month of October. The pace slowed down in November to 248 due to poor weather and aircraft unserviceabilities.
- 30 November 1957 -- There have been, during the past six months, several new construction projects which have added to the social and recreational picture at this unit, such as: Airman's Wet Canteen has been relocated in a LOX building; Corporal's Institute has been built and is to be officially opened on 6 December 1957; two bowling alleys have been under construction to be in use in early December 1957.
- 1 December 1957 to 31 March 1958 -- Two main problems still affect the operational efficiency of the unit. One is the difficulties still being encountered with the VHF reception. Much work has been carried out to remedy this problem but radio reception is still unsatisfactory. The second is the personnel shortage which is becoming even more critical with the increased work load. There is no simple remedy to this problem until additional accommodation is made available.
1958 - 1960 -- W/C TJ Evans
- October 1958 -- Construction has been let to A&B Construction Ltd. of Nanaimo, BC for construction of a new PMQ site. This is situated at the north end of the present domestic site, This contract is supervised by Defence Construction (1951) Limited, The value of the project is approximately $2 million dollars and it consists of 7 apartment blocks designated to house 67 families, plus a school accommodating approximately 150 students. Work started on 1 October and is 3% completed. Target date is 30 June 1960.
- June 1959 -- The station hospital continues to be a section of prime importance due to the lack of urban medical facilities. It provides medical care for not only RCAF personnel and dependents but also the residents of the local area. A total of 61 patients were admitted during the past six month period over and above those attending the regular sick parades. There were 5 births recorded and 4 emergency flights out of this unit to Vancouver for cases that required obstetrical or surgical care. With the strength of the station and the residents in the surrounding area on the increase, facilities are not adequate to cope with the additional work load.
- September 1959 -- The new rigid radome has been completed and following considerable caulking and painting, it is proving reasonably satisfactory. It is felt that with the addition of air circulating equipment, the high humidity encountered at present will be eliminated.
- September 1959 -- Due to the limited school facilities, it is necessary to have an arrangement with the school at Holberg village to accommodate all dependents of school age. Two four-bedroom PMQs are still being used as classrooms for permanent dependents at this station.
- November 1959 -- In addition to the decking of a float, 4 docks have been constructed jointly with the Rayonier Logging Company and boom logs have been placed for breakwater purposes. This, in conjunction with the new unloading docks previously constructed, has developed this area into a well protected and very adequate marine installation.
- December 1959 -- The Officer's Mess and Sergeant's Mess are presently being enlarged and nearing completion.
- December 1959 -- The food services section has served 45,000 meals and catered 135 parties during the last six months. (That works out to 5.2 parties per week).
- May 1960 -- There were seven babies born at the hospital with boys outnumbering girls four to three. Three air evacuations were carried out by RCAF Search and Rescue, Sea Island, BC.
- 15 May 1960 -- With the North American Air Defence Agreement between Canada and the United States of America, operational control for NORAD commitments was now exercised by the Commander 25th NORAD Region in McChord, Washington. The squadron's role was to "provide control facilities for interceptor aircraft, collecting, evaluating and disseminating information on the air situation within its area of responsibility and provide flight following service on request, within unit capabilities".
1960 - 1961 -- W/C JR Austin
- September 1960 -- Construction of a SAGE annex progressed favorably. The advance survey team from Burroughs Ltd. is to arrive in November for preliminary talks regarding the installation of the SAGE equipment.
- November 1960 -- The radome on #1 height finder was installed though extremely high winds damaged the radome during construction. Construction of the second radome is delayed until more favorable weather conditions are present.
- January 1961 -- The installation of FPS-508 (FPS-20A) by Northern Electric Co. was finalized on 18 January. Two radomes for the height finders arrived for #2 and #3 towers. The height finding radars to be installed in the near future.
1961 - 1963 -- W/C RL Fullerton
- August 1961 -- The GATR building is 99% completed. The bridge footings are poured and 60% of the project is finished. The poles for the antenna farm have arrived and erection is expected to commence in early January, 1962.
- September 1962 -- On 29 and 30 September, an unusually heavy rain fall occurred. The Goodspeed River rose to a height of 9 feet above normal giving a total depth of 10 feet 9 inches at the Goodspeed Bridge. This caused approximately 250 to 300 feet of access road between bridge 1 and 2 to washout. The washout required approximately 3500 yards of fill. Necessary work was conducted by the CE and Transport sections.
- July 1962 -- Saturday, 7 July marked the official opening of the newly established Hudson's Bay store at Station Holberg. Several "Bay" officials were on hand for the occasion of the opening of the 252nd Hudson's Bay store in Canada. The ceremonial ribbon was cut and business commenced at 09:00 hours.
- January 1963 --The civilian aircraft CF-HJK Alert Bay crashed near Holberg dock. Casualties were picked up by MV "Avocet". Sgt. WL McCallum, on attached duty from Station Cold Lake, was Coxswain of the "Avocet".
- 16 April 1963 -- After receiving approval from the BBG, radio station CFHG operating on a frequency of 1490 kilocycles was formally opened by W/C RL Fullerton. Station personnel organize and run all programming and operation. CFHG broadcasts a total of 28 hours each week. Music, news, CBC taped programs, and special features of local interest make up the majority of CFHG's programming.
- 2 May 1963 -- During this winter and spring period, the recreation centre conducted a varied program of athletic and social activities. Service and civilian personnel were able to participate in activities according to their own interests. At the end of May the destroyer escort, HMCS "Saguenay" visited Holberg. The recreational staff organized a sport competition between Air Force and Navy personnel.
1963 - 1965 -- W/C PF Wenz
- 10 June 1963 -- The advent of faster and longer ranged aircraft over the years spurred the need to change from Manual control to an automated operation. To meet this demand, SAGE was born. Semi-Automatic Ground Environment operation required the unit to "collect, discriminate and transmit to a designated SAGE centre radar data appearing within the area of coverage". To provide the data required, preceding years had seen the installation of then modern radar and computer equipment. The FPS-3C Search Radar was replaced with the FPS-20, the TPS-502 Heightfinder and the FPS-508 and FST-2 computer were installed. (Later replaced with the FYQ 47). Upgrading the Ground Air Transmit Receive (GATR) site with additional radio equipment capable of high power transmission provided the Air Ground Air communication for Sector control.
- 1 January 1964 -- With all SAGE equipment fully operational, the primary role of the unit was broadened to act as a NORAD Ground Intercept station by "assisting 25th in controlling weapons and performing limited identification" as well as providing data for the SAGE Centre at 25th NRHQ. This basic role continued for many years.
1965 - 1967 -- W/C DA Child
1967 - 1970 -- LCol LS Deyell
- August 1967 -- Title changed to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Holberg.
- 1 May 1969 -- Various changes in the defence concept resulted in the Back Up Intercept Control (BUIC) system which culminated with BUIC III where, as alternates to 25th, Othello AFS or secondary Reno AFS would receive our data if the primary failed.
1970 - 1972 -- LCol D Dickson
- 1972 -- A new Canex store was erected adjacent to the San Josef School. It is much larger and more modern than the Hudson's Bay store. It houses a larger retail, produce and butcher shop. With the increased warehousing space, product lines are greater.
1972 - 1974 -- LCol C Hodgson
- 31 December 1973 -- The BUIC concept was phased out leaving Holberg as the first line back-up in our area of responsibility should there be a failure with 25th NORAD Region SAGE.
- 31 December 1973 -- Hurricane force winds lifted one half of GATR (Bldg. 78) roof, blowing it over the side of the mountain and breaking two guy-wires on nearby antenna poles.
- 11 January 1974 -- DMCC moved to SAGE Annex with the FYQ 47 for easier maintenance and operations and radar equipment was consolidated on the third floor of the main tower.
1974 - 1976 -- LCol WJ Read
- June 1975 --A project to replace three diesel generators in the Station Power Plant commenced. Replacements were Blackstone diesel generators from CFS Moosonee which upgraded the plants generating capacity by 1200 to 1500 KW.
1976 - 1978 -- LCol GR Huhn
- July 1975 -- Work started on a new guardhouse with electronically operated gates on the Ops Site road. Project resulted from crossing of DND road by a logging road.
1978 - 1980 -- LCol CE Cooper
- November 1976 --Nimpkish II assisted in returning 397 civilians to Port Alice between 14 and 16 November. Town of Port Alice was evacuated after a mudslide engulfed a portion of the town during a storm.
- 1 January 1979 -- CFS Holberg celebrates its 25th anniversary. To commemorate this historic event, a silver jubilee publication was produced to collectively display historical data.
- 1979 -- A new auxiliary power unit was installed at the Station Hospital and the Pathology Lab was extended to provide a larger more practical work area.
- 1980 -- Construction Engineering contracted to have the PMQ's repaired, including re-roofing the apartments, replacement of hot water lines in 17 units and the installation of aluminum siding to 16 PMQ's.
1980 - 1982 -- LCol CG Harvey-Clark
- 6 April 1980 -- The Station was tasked to provide secondary surveillance data to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in Vancouver.
- 1981 -- Cable TV service was provided to Station personnel by means of a series of satellite dishes located at Holberg. Most station residents took advantage of this opportunity to receive additional TV coverage.
- 12 May 1981 -- UPA - 62C Update with the installation of two new indicators in DMCC. These indicators replaced ones that had been in service for almost thirty years resulting in an improvement for autonomous operations.
- November 1981 -- A terrific amount of rainfall caused the road to Port Hardy to wash out and remain closed through the night and the next day while government crews made necessary repairs. It all happened so suddenly that several residents of Holberg and CFS Holberg shopping in town that day were forced to remain in Port Hardy.
- 1982 -- Renovations were carried out to improve the appearance of the Combined Mess dining area. This project was completed as a joint effort by CE as well as considerable self help by the kitchen staff.
1982 - 1983 -- Major DG Ling
- 10 June 1982 -- Major conversion of the Height Finder from the FPS-507 to the FPS-06X. This work was performed by on site personnel as well as General Electric representatives.
- 18 June 1983 -- CFS Holberg provides radar data to the Canada West ROCC located in North Bay, Ontario.
1983 - -- Major RD Sword
- September 1983 -- Acquisition of three Crummie 4x4 passenger vehicles enabled the Transportation Section to rid itself of the always unserviceable 28 passenger Thomas buses.
- October & November 1983 -- Station personnel ready themselves for their Operational Evaluation by conducting copious simulated exercises involving Ops, BDF, Command Post, EDP, DRP and NBCW. The hard work and professionalism exhibited by all Station personnel resulted in a successful conclusion. "We passed."
- November 1983 -- I CER from Chilliwack conducted a major road upgrading project that involved our Road and Grounds Crew as well as SPV Section equipment and operators. The project was carried out during adverse weather conditions but has proven to be satisfactory as the base road is stable and only requires additional gravel finishing.
- 1 January 1984 -- Thirty years have passed since the opening of the Station. The years have seen the passing of many personnel, military and civilians , who have provided the professional skills and personal dedication which has enabled the unit to fill its assigned role.
- 2 April 1984 -- A parade was held on the Station to unfurl the new Air Command flag. For the first time since Air Command became the successor to the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada's current day air force has a flag of its own waving at bases and stations across the country and abroad.
- 20 August 1984 -- Operational control switches from 25th McChord Air Force Base Tacoma Washington to 25th NORAD Malmstrom, Great Falls, Montana as reconfiguration to Regional Operations Control Centre (ROCC) concept takes place.
- 1 January 1989 -- CFS Holberg celebrated its 35th anniversary. Later in the year a budget was passed in the House of Commons containing cuts in the defence budget. Reduction of expenditures included the closure of several military installations including CFS Holberg.
-- 30th Anniversary Yearbook
