Lowther, ON

1325-1 (Compt)

Commanding Officer
CFS Lowther
Kapuskasing, Ontario
P5N 2Y7

07 May 76

Air Defence Group Headquarters
CFB North Bay
Hornell Height, Ontario
P0H 1P0

ATTENTION: A/COS C AND E ADM O

REF: A. - Your DCSCE 332 dated 252000Z MAR 76

1. The following is an outline of the unit history pertaining to the operational complex and equipment was used at CFS Lowther from its inception to the present date:

CFS Lowther was originally built by the USAF in 1957 and designated the 639^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. The station became operational in 1958 with the call sign C119. On 01 Jul 63, the station was officially handed over to the RCAF and became known as 36 Radar Squadron. On 10 Aug 67, the station was re-designated Canadian Forces Station Lowther.

Hydro for the operational site was originally supplied by Ontario Hydro with emergency diesels located in the present R&M Shop. In 1962, a four diesel power plant was built which supplies power to the operational complex and Mess Hall.

The AN/MPS-7 (a version of the AN/FPS-3) Radar provided the search radar coverage. In 1963, a new radar tower was built to house the AN/FPS-27 which replaced the AN/MPS-7 in Aug 64. In Sep 73, an extensive modification was carried out which removed the receivers and GLA8. The removal of this equipment was done in the record time of 2 ½ days. The installation of the "Seed Clear" modification followed the removal of the obsolete equipment which converted the AN/FPS-27 to the present configuration of AN/FPS-27A. The Seed Clear modification was accepted and the system became fully operational on 08 Oct 73.

The UPX6 was the initial IFF System. This was replaced by the AN/UPX14 dual channel IFF/SIF System in 1963/64 in conjunction with the installation of the AN/FPS-27.

The UPM 99 a major piece if SIF test equipment was replaced by the AN/UPM137A in 1974.

The first Height Finder radars were the AN/MPS14 (mobile version of AN/FPS-6) and AN/FPS-501. The AN/FPS-501 was removed in 1962 and the AN/MPS-14 was modified and renamed the AN/FPS-6 which is the present active Height Finder.

In 1962, the AN/FPS-26A height tower was built and the equipment installed. It became operational in 1963 and continued to operate until April 1975 when it was deactivated.

Initially CFS Lowther was a manual site. The SAGE annex was constructed in 1961. In Mar 1963, we were integrated in the 23^rd NORAD Region SAGE System. The AN/FST-2, a dual channel system was the Data Processor at that time. This system was replaced by AN/FYQ-47 a single channel solid state Data Processor in 1971. This new equipment was put "on line" in Nov 72 and the FST-2 was dismantled and removed in 1973.

In Jul 73, a UHF AN/GRC-27 RX/TX and ECR 100 line amplifier was installed in the DMCC for level five operation. In 1975, a VHF/FM TX/RX (AN/FRC-507) fixed station was installed for communication purposes between DMCC and mobile units of Base Defence Force and Military Police vehicle.

The GATR Site was built in 1962. The VHF equipment was the BC-639 and BC-640. The UHF equipment was the GRT-3 and GRR-7. The Time Division Data Link (TDDL) was the AN/GKA-5 and the High Power Transmitting System was the AN/FRT-49. All GATR equipment remained unchanged with the exception of the VHF equipment which was replaced by the FRT-502 transmitters and URG-60 receivers circa 1962.

The TACAN Site is located at the Kapuskasing airport which is located some 30 miles east of CFS Lowther. This equipment is monitored by the MOT and serviced by radar technicians from CFS Lowther.

The first installation is believed to be the AN/TRN-6 Mobile Equipment installation circa 1960. A permanent TACAN building was built in 1961 and a high power AN/GRN-501 TACAN was installed. In 1972, the GRN-501 was replaced by the AN/GRN-502, this system was later modified to high power configuration in Apr 73. In Jul 73, the TACAN identification code was changed from YU to UYU.

2. Listed below are the names of the unit Commanding Officers:

Signed by:

KJ Mott
Captain
for Commanding Officer
CFS Lowther