Lowther, ON

1968 - Lowther Plays Important Local Role - Julie Latimer

Canadian Forces Station Lowther was originally constructed in 1957 by the United States in joint agreement with the Canadian Government. This station was operated by the United States Air Force and was known as the 639th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. As part of the Pinetree Line it performed a vital role in the ever expanding North America Air Defence Command (NORAD). From 1957 to 1963 this Squadron performed the air defence role as a manual site. Target information was relayed manually by phone to higher formations in the NORAD Command network.

On June 26, 1963 the station became known as the 36th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron and was operated and maintained by the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was and is administratively and logistically responsible to Air Defence Command and operationally responsible to 23rd NORAD Region Headquarters situated in Duluth, Minnesota. At this time the Stations new radar and data processing equipment was installed so that thus Unit became part of what is called Semi-Automatic Ground Environment System (SAGE). The SAGE System is one of the most involved electronic systems ever built by man. This System uses high speed data processing computers to automatically collect, correlate and display all Air Defence information at Region Control Centres throughout North America. Data from CFS Lowther is fed to the computer at Duluth 24 hours a day seven days a week. This System of defence is required to cope with automatic weapons systems particularly the long range bombers, and air borne launched missiles which still constitute a major threat to this continent.

The present name of Canadian Forces Station Lowther became effective February 1, 1968 upon the unification of Canadas three Armed Forces. In addition to providing NORAD operations staff at Duluth with the location and height of all aircraft within the Lowther area, coverage facilities are available by which fighter aircraft/interceptor aircraft and ground to air missiles can be vectored to any hostile target. To accomplish this mission there are approximately 140 service and some 50 civilian personnel employed at CFS Lowther. Approximately 60% of the service personnel are employed with the maintenance and operation of the radars, communication and data processing equipment while the remainder are employed in the supporting activities such as administration, accounting, supply services, messing and construction engineering.

--This article was obtained from a copy of the Northern Times, dated Wednesday, June 23rd, 1971. The newspaper was provided to the Pinetree Line web site by Julie Latimer in May 1998.