Lowther, ON

1964 – Historical Narrative – National Archives of Canada


APPENDIX A
TO HISTORICAL REPORT

RCAF STATION LOWTHER
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
1 January 1964 to 31 December 1964

Introduction

The major function of this unit is to provide surveillance data and Time Division Data Link facilities to Duluth Air Defence Sector under Mode I Operation. This unit functions as an NGCI under Mode III Operation, whereby tracks from RCAF Stations Pagwa and Moosonee are passed to this unit and are then passed with tracks from this unit to Calumet NCC. This unit has a manual interceptor control capability as required under Mode III Operation.

SUMMARY OF UNIT ACTIVITIES

All SAGE testing and peaking completed, the AN/FPS-27 Search Radar Equipment was officially SAGE accepted in May 1964.

This unit passed its Radar Squadron Assessment in June 1964. This was the first such assessment this unit has been exposed to since this station was handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the United States Air Force on 26 June 1963.

Royal Canadian Air Force personnel from this station participated with other military personnel in the area, in the Battle of Britain Commemoration Day Parade and the Remembrance Day Parade in Kapuskasing.

The 1964 Air Force Day at this unit commemorated the first anniversary of Royal Canadian Air Force operation of Station Lowther. Lectures and tours of the station were given to civilians of the surrounding area to provide them with some knowledge of the functions of this unit.

OPERATIONS

16 Jun 64

This unit is credited with a ‘PASS’ on its Radar Squadron Assessment.

TRAINING

10 Jan 64

BUIC Manual Operations training programme for FtrCop personnel held at this unit.

6 Oct 64

First Aid training programme held at this unit.

30 Oct 64

Weekly Fire Brigade training programme initiated at this unit.

10 Nov 64

First Aid training programme held at this unit.

NOTE* An On-the-Job Training programme has been carried out in all operations sections throughout the year.

TECHNICAL

3 Feb 64

AN/FPS-27 memory drum installed in the AN/FST-2.

4 Mar 64

MPS-7 (FPS-3) put on 24 hour standby.

25 Mar 64

15J1D Fighter/Target simulator installed. GPS-T2 Overhaul completed.

27 Apr 64

F/L TR Axcell, CGEO, attended BUIC Operations Familiarization Course at Station Mont Apica.

4 May 64

AN/FPS-27 SAGE accepted.

26 Jul 64

USAF GEEIA team began dismantling the MPS-7 (FPS-3)

ADMINISTRATION

13 Apr 64

F/O G Johnston, SCEO, SOS, F//O D Westcott assumed SCEO duties.

19 Jun 64

F/O JOPA Bernard, PAdO, SOS, O/C D Wilkinson became A/PAdO.

14 Sep 64

F/L JB Miller, TOS, Assumed duties of CAdO.

20 Sep 64

F/O PE Welsby Med/Nur, SOS.

ORGANIZATION

1 Jul 64

Establishment for one Med/Nur changed to Establishment for one Senior NCO Med A.

OFFICIAL VISITS AND INSPECTIONS

20 Jan 64

Cpl. M Tilando and LAC R Beattie of North Bay inspected the Nuclear Defence facilities on this unit.

23 Jan 64

S/L Johnston and a CE inspection team carried out the annual CE inspection on this unit.

3 Feb 64

F/L KG Leavitt (ADCHQ) inspected the Accounts section on this unit.

4 Feb 64

G/C Cameron, Senior Control Environment Staff Officer, visited this unit.

7 Feb 64

Mr. D Swetman (Northern Electric) inspected the AN/FPS-27 antenna on this unit.

18 Feb 64

F/L Thacher DArchC (Rep) and F/O Rozan DCEC (Rep) visited this unit.

2 Mar 64

Captain F Fraese, RCADC, arrived at this unit to perform dental services.

3 Mar 64

FS CR Nasmyth and LAC RC Smith of North Bay inspected the AFP section on this unit.

8 Mar 64

S/L Lahaye, Padre (RC), visited this unit.

9 Mar 64

S/L Mould, Padre (Prot), visited this unit.

22 Apr 64

F/L Redher inspected the Supply section at this unit.

30 Apr 64

S/L Mannix and Major Eckford inspected this unit’s MIR facilities.

9 Jun 64

A/C Hull, C of S ADC and S/L MacCaulley OPC arrived for the Annual Command Inspection.

12 Jun 64

Major F Burgess RCPC, inspected this unit’s postal facilities.

16 Jun 64

The Radar Squadron Assessment Team arrived at this unit to complete the Annual Operational Evaluation.

30 Jun 64

Lt. K Cline, (RCASC) of North Bay, inspected this unit’s kitchen and messing facilities.

24 Jul 64

F/L F Golding SOPA M&I, inspected this unit’s Messes and Institutes.

26 Jul 64

The USAF GEE1A team arrived to dismantle the MPS-7 (FPS-3).

6 Oct 64

Ontario Mobile Safety Check Lanes visited this unit.

13 Oct 64

Captain Deyette, RCADC, arrived at this unit to perform dental services.

2 Nov 64

S/L Miller, SOPA-4, inspected this unit’s recreational facilities.

16 Nov 64

S/L Sullivan SOAF, inspected the accounts section at this unit.

2 Dec 64

F/L AK Ford (ADCHQ) inspected the MSE section at this unit.

14 Dec 64

F/O Fanning (ADCHQ) inspected this unit’s Armament section.

RECREATION

21 Jul 64

Station Pagwa defeated Station Lowther in the zone three Softball league playdowns.

28 Nov 64

Station Pagwa defeated Station Lowther in a game of Flag Football.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

10 Mar 64

Station personnel donated $65 to the Canadian Cancer Society.

16 Mar 64

This unit raised $750 for the extension of Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing.

27 Jun 64

Air Force Day – Station opened to public.

20 Sep 64

Two Flights of RCAF personnel from this unit were on the Battle of Britain Commemoration Parade in Kapuskasing.

11 Nov 64

This unit supplied two Flights of RCAF personnel to participate in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph in Kapuskasing.

17 Dec 64

Money donated by unit personnel was given to two Church leaders in Kapuskasing for distribution to needy people in the local area.

OTHER

17 Apr 64

RCAF 40th Anniversary Mess Dinner.

30 Apr 64

A/V/M Harvey made an unofficial visit to this unit.

15 May 64

F/O G Miezitis (DOO) TOS

8 Jun 64

F/L F Chin (ECCMO) TOS

20 Jun 64

F/O DW Orr (controller) TOS

20 Aug 64

F/L TH McCullough (OpoTrainO) TOS

6 Sep 64

F/L DG Lisson (OpsTrainO) SOS.

18 Sep 64

Unit representatives attended Mess Dinner at Station Ramore.

3 Oct 64

F/L P Berlanquet (Controller) SOS. F/L RJ Barr (Controller) SOS. F/O DA Stewart (Controller) SOS

20 Oct 64

F/O RK Ismond (DOO) SOS

14 Dec 64

F/O NJ Carscadden (DOO) TOS. F/O PJ Dunne (DOO) TOS

21 Dec 64

Safe Driving Display erected.

(ID Tenove) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Lowther

 

APPENDIX "B"
TO HISTORICAL REPORT

MONTHLY RECORD OF ACTIVITIES

9 Jan 64

A Badge designed by Cpl Thomson was submitted to AFHQ for approval as the Official 36 Radar Squadron Badge.

10 Jan 64

A training programme was set up on this unit to train FtrCop personnel in BUIC Manual Operations. Twenty-six personnel received training on the two month course.

20 Jan 64

Cpl. M. Tilando and LAC R Beattie of North, Bay inspected the Nuclear Defence facilities at this unit.

23 Jan 64

S/L Johnston and a CE inspection team arrived from ADCHQ and carried out the annual CE inspection of this unit’s CE facilities.

3 Feb 64

The memory drum for the AN/FPS-27 Search Radar was installed in the AN/FST-2. F/L KG Leavitt arrived from ADCHQ to carry out an inspection of the accounts section on this unit.

4 Feb 64

G/C Cameron, Senior Control Environment Staff Officer, arrived at this unit. During his short visit he inspected the unit and held an informal discussion with the officers.

7 Feb 64

Mr. D Swetman of Northern Electric arrived at this unit to check the AN/FPS-27 Search Radar Antenna

18 Feb 64

F/L Thacher and F/L Rozan, representatives of DArchC and DCEC respectively, arrived at this unit to investigate the feasibility of PMQs at this station.

2 Mar 64

Captain F Fraese (RCADC) arrived at this unit to attend to the dental problems of station personnel for a three week period.

3 Mar 64

FS CR Nasmyth and LAC RC Smith of North Bay inspected the AFP section and its facilities at this unit.

4 Mar 64

MPS-7 (FPS-3) was put on 24 hour standby as the AN/FPS-27 was still being SAGE tested.

8 Mar 64

S/L LaHaye, Padre (RC) arrived to carry out the annual command inspection of this unit.

9 Mar 64

S/L Mould, Padre (Prot) arrived to carry out the annual command inspection of this unit.

10 Mar 64

The $65 collected in the Cancer Drive on this Unit was presented to the Hearst Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society.

16 Mar 64

A campaign committee was set up on this unit to raise funds for the extension of Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing. Over $750 was collected and donated to the Hospital.

25 Mar 64

The 15-J1D Fighter/Target simulator installation was completed. Northern Electric personnel completed the overhaul of the GPS-T2 at the same time.

1 Apr 64

Press release in the Northern Times, Wednesday, 1 Apr 64. (See Attachment "I" to APPENDIX B).

13 Apr 64

F/O G Johnston, SCEO transferred to RCAF Stn North Bay. F/O D Westcott appointed SCEO at this unit.

17 Apr 64

A Mess Dinner was held in the Officers’ Mess to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the RCAF. Attending guests included a number of Ex-RCAF servicemen from the local area.

22 Apr 64

F/L Redher arrived at this unit and inspected the Supply Section.

27 Apr 64

F/L TR Axcell, CGEO at this unit, attended a BUIC Operations Familiarization course at Station Mont Apica, Quebec, 27 Apr – 8 May 64

30 Apr 64

S/L E Mannix and Major Eckford arrived at this unit to inspect the MIR facilities and the Nurses’ quarters. A/V/M Harvey of North Bay inspected the 647th Air Cadet Squadron at Kapuskasing. A/V/M Harvey then visited Station Lowther and participated in a social evening.

4 May 64

The AN/FPS-27 Search Radar was officially SAGE accepted. SAGE testing and peaking was carried out by Mr. JJ Jankowski of Western Electric Company Inc. and Mr. G. Silson of International Telegraph and Telephones.

15 May 64

F/O G. Miezitis Tech Tel, TOS, Stn. Lowther Duties – Duty Operations Officer

8 Jun 64

F/L F Chin TOS at this unit and assumes responsibilities of ECCMO.

9 Jun 64

The ADC Chief of Staff A/C Hull and S/L MacCaulley, OPC arrived at this unit to complete the annual command inspection. (See attachment "II" to APPENDIX B, Visit Order for C of S.

10 Jun 64

Departure Guard of Honor for A/C Hull consisted of 35 personnel commanded by F/O R Ismond. Press release in Daily Press and Northern Times regarding A/C Hull’s visit. (See attachment "III" to APPENDIX B).

12 Jun 64

Major F Burgess of RCPC visited this unit to inspect the postal facilities.

16 Jun 64

The Radar Squadron Assessment Team arrived to carry out the annual evaluation of this unit. The team consisted of a team captain, S/L Clair from ADCHQ and seven members, S/L Ultican (AMC), S/L Fox (DUADS), F/l Young (ADCHQ), F/L Bullock (ADCHQ), F/L Gaffrey (ADCHQ), F/L Hawke (ADCHQ), and Tech Sgt Hill (30th Air Div). The team spent four days assessing all operational phases of this unit. After all assessments were completed this Station was credited with a ‘PASS’.

19 Jun 64

F/O JOPA Bernard, PAdO, SOS Station Lowther – released. O/C Wilkinson was made Acting PAdO until arrival of new PAdO.

20 Jun 64

F/O DW Orr, Air/P, TOS Station Lowther from Mont Apica – Controller duties.

22 Jun 64

F/O V Nauffts and F/O W Robbins promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

27 Jun 64

The 1964 Air Force Day commemorated the first Anniversary of RCAF operations of this Unit. Civilians from the surrounding area were given a tour of the tour of the Unit and were then served cocktails in the Officers’ Mess. (See Attachment IV to APPENDIX B, Daily Press clippings).

30 Jun 64

Lt. K Cline, RCASC, of North Bay inspected the rations, kitchen and messing facilities on this unit.

21 Jul 64

RCAF Station Pagwa defeated RCAF Station Lowther in a best of three Soft Ball series. Station Pagwa thereby emerged the winners of the zone three softball league playdowns.

24 Jul 64

F/l F Golding (SOPA M&I) arrived to spend three days inspecting this unit’s Messes and Institutes.

26 Jul 64

The USAF GEEIA team arrived at this unit and began dismantling the MPS-7 (FPS-3) Search Radar.

13 Aug 64

F/O DW Orr appointed Unit Public Relations Officer vice F/LDG Lisson who was being transferred.

20 Aug 64

F/L TH McCullough, AS/FtrC, TOS Station Lowther – assumed duties of Ops Train O vice F/L DG Lisson.

6 Sep 64

F/L DG Lisson, SOS, Station Lowther. Transferred to EWU Station St. Hubert.

14 Sep 64

F/L JB Miller, TOS Station Lowther, assumed responsibilities of CAdO.

18 Sep 64

F/L Stewart of Station Pagwa carried out a cash count at this unit. Five members of the Officers’ Mess travelled to Station Ramore to represent Station Lowther at a Mess Dinner in the Officers’ Mess on that unit.

20 Sep 64

F/O PE Welsby, Med/Nur, SOS Station Lowther. Transferred to 3 (F) Wing, Germany. The Parade commemorating the Battle of Britain was held in Kapuskasing. The paraded consisted of a colour party, two flights of Station Lowther personnel and two flights from the 647th Air Cadet Squadron, Kapuskasing. Wreaths were laid at the Kapuskasing Cenotaph by W/C Tenove and Mr. L Atkins representing the Mayor of Kapuskasing. During the ceremony a T-33 aircraft from Station North Bay, piloted by two Lowther Officers, made a slow fly-past. (See Attachment "V" to APPENDIX B, Battle of Britain Parade Order and pictures).

3 Oct 64

F/L Berlanquet, F/L RJ Barr and F/O DA Stewart, SOS Station Lowther – Released

6 Oct 64

Ontario Department of Transport Mobile Safety Check Lanes arrived at this unit. All motor vehicles on the Station were checked during a two day period. Over a three day period, Sgt Jacobs of this unit’s MIR gave First-Aid lectures and training to 16 Station personnel who did not hold a valid First-Aid certificate.

13 Oct 64

Captain Deyette (RCADC) arrived at this unit. From 13 Oct to 30 Oct Captain Deyette attended to the dental needs of unit personnel.

20 Oct 64

F/O RK Ismond SOS Station Lowther. Transferred to Station Moosonee.

30 Oct 64

A Station Fire Brigade was originated. The 23 appointed personnel receive instruction and training every Wednesday, on the use of Fire Fighting Equipment, procedures, etc.

2 Nov 64

S/L Miller (SOPA-4) inspected the recreation facilities at this unit.

10 Nov 64

Over a three day period, Sgt Jacobs of this unit’s MIR gave First-Aid lectures and training to 5 station personnel who did not hold a valid First-Aid certificate.

11 Nov 64

REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE

Two flights of RCAF personnel from this unit, with members of A Squadron Algonquin Regiment (Militia), the Royal Canadian Legion and the Kapuskasing Air Cadets were on the Remembrance Day Parade held in Kapuskasing. W/C ID Tenove, Commanding Officer RCAF Station Lowther, laid a wreath at the Kapuskasing Cenotaph on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force. (See Attachment "VI" to APPENDIX B, Remembrance Day Parade order and Pictures of Kapuskasing Cenotaph).

16 Nov 64

S/L Sullivan (SOAF) inspected the accounts section on this unit.

28 Nov 64

The Station Lowther Flag Football team hosted the Pagwa team. Pagwa departed with all the honours.

30 Nov 64

F/L R Walsh, SAO, went to Station Ramore to perform a cash count at that unit.

2 Dec 64

F/L AK Ford of ADCHQ inspected the MSE section and equipment at this unit.

11 Dec 64

W/C Forbes-Roberts, Commanding Officer of RCAF Station Ramore, and two Officers of that unit attended a Mess Dinner at the Officers Mess on this station.

12 Dec 64

Approximately $65 was collected from personnel on this unit by voluntary donation. This money was then turned over to two parishes in Kapuskasing for distribution to needy people in the area. (See Attachment "VII" to APPENDIX B, Press release).

14 Dec 64

F/O NJ Carscadden, TECH TEL, and F/O PJ Dunne, TECH TEL, TOS at Station Lowther. Assumed duties of Duty Operations Officers. F/O Fanning of ADCHQ carried out an inspection of the armament section on this unit.

21 Dec 64

Safe Driving display erected at main gate to Station. Display consisted of wrecked car rolled onto its side with signs encouraging drivers to beware and use extra care during the festive season. (See Attachment "VIII" to APPENDIX B, Press release).