Parent, QC

1961 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


Narrative Report
RCAF Station Parent
1 Dec 61 to 31 May 62

1 Dec 61

LAC SP Bannister was selected as Airman of the Month for December, 1961.

3 Dec 61

F/L LM Vaughan assumed the duties of CStandsO vice F/O R Serrao.

7 Dec 61

The MSE Section was visited by the ADCHQ Team composed of F/L Sear and FS Griffens from SOMSE Branch. A complete inspection of the MSE Section was made including Control and Planning, Operations, Maintenance and an inspection of all vehicles. A favorable report was received from SOMSE on this visit.

8 - 9 Dec 61

On these dates the unit participated in live exercise Mute I with full Battle Staff.

11 - 14 Dec 61

The Air Staff Visiting Team from ADCHQ consisting of S/L Pattison, OC AC&WVT, F/L Birch, Control, F/L McLeod, Surveillance, F/L Standing, MNS and F/L McMahon MMNS STP visited the unit for 4 days. The re-evaluation showed a satisfactory operational capability.

15 Dec 61

F/L SK Robinson Med./Nur from 2(F) Wing was TOS as Matron.

19 Dec 61

The Betteridge and Smith Construction Company commenced the construction of the passageway to the SAGE Annex.

31 Dec 61

For the month of December there were 18 Battle Staff STP missions carried out by Operations. Four of these were Bi-Sector and one was Tri-Sector.

1 Jan 62

Corporal RJ Freeland, Steward, was selected as Airman of the Month for Jan 62.
The annual East-West Football game was played this New Years Day. All ranks participated in snow two feet deep. The East were victors.

3 Jan 62

The Betteridge and Smith Construction Company commenced repairs to the Ops Building roofs.

4 Jan 62

The Burroughs Corporation started work on FST-2 installation in the SAGE Annex.

4 - 5 Jan 62

Apache Echo Exercises were held with Bangor Sector. This unit supplied surveillance only.

8 Jan 62

The first class in the new Physical Fitness program was held.
This date marked the beginning of a new era for Station Parent with the arrival of the FST-2 SAGE Computer Complex. After installation, an extensive period of testing will take place before it is placed in operation.

10 Jan 62

F/L Albrough and Mr. Wright, ADHQ Inspection Team, visited the unit for the takeover of Telco and GATR buildings and for partial takeover of the SAGE Annex.

15 Jan 62

W/C NJ Gallagher, SORA (RC) at ADCHQ carried out an inspection visit of Station Parent.

22 Jan 62

Dr. H Tipler, civilian medical officer, arrived from St. Hubert and North Bay to act as SMO until F/L Ackers returns from his training course.

24 Jan 62

Dr. ET Alderdice, Montreal Sector SDC Representative, visited the unit to inspect the STP Section.
Cpl. W Crumwell, Radar Tech 3A, was selected as Airman of the Month for February, 1962.

24 - 26 Jan 62

WO1 Harkin and WO2 Patrick, CHQ Inspection Team, visited the unit for an inspection of the heating system.

29 Jan 62

F/L WF Schram, Sector Intelligence Officer, visited the newly appointed SIntO to discuss intelligence matters pertaining to this Sector.
S/L ER Wilson and F/L WGT Watson, Sector HQ, arrived at Station Parent for a familiarization visit.

30 Jan 62

Mrs. L MacKay, CBC Radio Tape Division and F/L C Wilcox of ADCHQ visited the unit to see the radio station facilities and to discuss the provision of CBC tapes.

31 Jan 62

An STP Exercise Duty Clock was run with MNS, ONS and FNS and Syracuse NORAD Sector participating. In addition, over this period, 8 surveillance and 40 site-centered exercises were carried out.

1 - 2 Feb 62

The unit took part in Exercise Shock Wave II - Surveillance only. NNR, 26 and 30 Regions participated.

6 Feb 62

WO2 Churcott from ADCHQ visited the unit in company with a representative from Keeprite Refrigeration. The purpose of the visit was to make recommendations for repairs to refrigeration units on the station.

7 Feb 62

Station Parent controlled its first CF-101 HT-E2 on tow line.
G/C JC Hovey, Sector Commander, and F/L Healey-Ogden carried out the Sector Commander’s quarterly visit, STP and briefing.

8 Feb 62

This date marked the opening of the Annual Winter Carnival with curling, hockey, broomball, badminton, bowling and basketball underway. A parade was led by the Station Band and included 5 floats from different sections. The Carnival Queen, LAW Gerry Woolridge of the Hospital Staff, was crowned by W/C SC Tugwell, the Commanding Officer. The coronation took place at the ice throne situated outside the Rec. Centre. F/O Carole Lewis, Med./Nur and her newly-trained corps of drum majorettes led the parade and later provided a floor show in the Rec. Centre prior to the Winter Carnival dance. (Annex 1)
The representative of Defence Construction Limited turned over keys, plans and deficiency lists for takeover of SAGE, GATR and Telco Buildings.
Mr. R Gauthier, DCL representative, departed the unit to return the summer months for final takeover of the GATR Building.

12 Feb 62

Mr. Ogden of DND Inspection Services, Toronto, paid the unit a 3-day visit to inspect the SAGE Annex installation.

13 Feb 62

Mr. Fiegehen of the Burroughs Corporation Quality Control Department visited the unit for 3 days.

15 Feb 62

Fifty-five personnel from Station Parent proceeded to Station Senneterre to participate in the Station Senneterre Winter Carnival. Our personnel were treated to the utmost in hospitality but lost the competition.
F/O WD Dewar completed his tour of duty as STelO and departed on transfer to Station Barrington. F/O JDCE Langlais assumed the duties of STelO.

16 Feb 62

A curling team consisting of Sgt. Nivens, Cpl. Taylor, FS Smith and Cpl. Smith proceeded to Station St. Hubert to participate in the RCAF Curling Bonspiel. After one victory over Station Moisie our team was eliminated.

20 Feb 62

G/C KC Cameron from ADCHQ briefed all Telecom personnel on increased maintenance capacity.

22 Feb 62

First Aid Lectures, demonstrations and films commenced in the Station Theatre. These will be given each Thursday from 0900 to 1600 hours for a month until all personnel have had 6 hours of First Aid Training.

24 Feb 62

S/L A Harvey, COpsO, departed to attend a 7 week course at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base, Grandview, Missouri, on OZR 1744B-4 Air Surveillance SAGE Course.

25 Feb 62

F/L MA Brown, ADCHQ, F/L LS Burns and FS CW Aebig of EWU visited the unit for briefing and conference.

28 Feb 62

Cpl. SL Smith was selected as Airman of the Month for March 1962.
The MSE reported 10 inches of snowfall for this month making a total of 63 inches for the year which was removed by heavy equipment with no accidents. The MSE Section has operated for 334 days for a total of 18,940 miles or a daily average of 568.3 miles accident free.

1 Mar 62

The installation of the FST-2 was completed this date.

2 Mar 62

This date marked the acceptance of the FST-2 by GSMO and DND/IS. Present were Mr. W Staire from GSMO, Mr. H Hornsby from DND/IS, Mr. W Ross, Burroughs Representative in AMCHQ, F/L CS Murchison from ADCHQ, Mr. G Mitchell, Mr. J Balant, Mr. P Defoe from Burroughs Corporation, also Mr. L Westra, site engineer and Mr. E Stanier from Burroughs. Station Parent was represented by S/L SA Brightwell, CTSO, F/O JE Langlais, STelO, and Sgt. WJ Smith.

8 Mar 62

WO2 P Renouf, CHQ Explosive Inspector visited the unit and was conducted on his inspection by F/O RB Adams, Station Armament Officer.
WO2 ER Power, Foreman of Works, and FS RS Smith, Accounts, were advised of their promotions to commissioned rank.

8 - 27 Mar 62

Six babies were born in the Station Hospital during this period.

9 Mar 62

S/L CA Brunger, Tech/Tel, F/O L Beattie, Tech/CE and F/L GS Higgins, Tech/Tel, all of ADCHQ gave a briefing to unit personnel on increased maintenance responsibility.

12 Mar 62

WO2 Churcott of ADCHQ completed an inspection of the unit refrigeration equipment.

14 Mar 62

Mr. HA Wickert of Western Electric Company of North Bay visited the Radar Section and discussed SICL reports and SAGE construction.
An ECM Course conducted by the EWO, F/O JE Langlais, and WO2 A Velleman was held in the Station Theatre on 14 and 16 Mar. All operations personnel attended.

21 Mar 62

Douglas Hilliker, son of one of the Commissionaires, was evacuated by train from Parent to LaTuque and from LaTuque to Montreal by RCAF aircraft. Douglas suffered a fracture skull in an accident in the town of Parent, but his condition was reported as good after surgery.

22 Mar 62

The Tower tours commenced with 14 servicemen’s wives visiting the Tower for a briefing and a tour. The highlight of the visit was in the Operations area where an intercept was carried out for all personnel on the tour to see.

28 Mar 62

LAC M Parsons, FtrCop 3, was selected as Airman of the Month for April 1962.
STM Exercise 401 was carried out.

30 Mar 62

The following personnel received promotion to higher ranks effective 1 Apr 62:

To Sgt.

203982

Cpl. DJ Zinck

 

41734

Cpl. LC Walkey

 

213415

Cpl. KG Taylor

 

228974

Cpl. JE Beaulieu

To Cpl.

42636

LAC KW Papineau

 

206878

LAC WA Newman

 

237137

LAC T Rutter

 

29706

LAC JG Ferland

 

47566

LAC JA Roy

 

239069

LAC JG Hivon

 

246623

LAC LA MacKenzie

 

246120

LAC BH Maughan

 

216701

LAC BH Ritchie

31 Mar 62

During the month of March, 365 live intercepts were carried out by the unit.
The MSE Section reported a total of 63 inches of snow with no snow removal registered for March. The snow was removed by heavy equipment with no accidents. The MSE Section has operated 365 days accident free for a total of 206,185 miles or a daily average of 564.8 miles.

3 - 27 Apr 62

VanCal 6 arrived at Station Parent. The team consisted of CAE Ltd. Personnel; George R Jones, Engineer in charge, Arthur M Burrell, Willis A Ball, Garth Thorne, Roland Ducap and Roland Bernard. F/O Langlais, STelO, was appointed coordinator for Station Parent. The team carried out the calibration of all test equipment on the Unit. The VanCal Team is expected at Station Parent at the beginning of September.

4 Apr 62

F/L GRO Wonnacott and F/L RV Crook, ADCHQ SOPA Inspection Team, carried out an inspection of the administrative services at Station Parent.

5 Apr 62

Shock Wave III, a live exercise, commenced at 0800 hours local and faded out about 1130 hours local.
WO1 Aucoin, ADCHQ, completed an inspection of diesel equipment.

11 Apr 62

WO1 Mills and Sgt. JJPR Taillon, Met Observers from ADCHQ visited the unit for Met Inspection and Refresher Training.

14 Apr 62

A Sportsman’s Show was held in the Rec. Centre with tents, sleeping bags, boats, fishing gear, etc., being displayed for sale.

15 Apr 62

The Station men’s Basketball Team traveled to Senneterre to compete in the 1962 "Golden Ball" tournament. Station Parent won for the second consecutive year.

16 Apr 62

S/L A Harvey returned from the SAGE Surveillance Officers Course at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base and assumed the duties of COpsO.
F/O A Schulte assumed the duties of Station SGTO.
Mr. JH Limick of 11 TSU, Mr. A Findlay of CAE and Sgt. W Gorman of 11 TSU visited Station Parent for VanCal liaison with unit and to conduct a quality control audit on VanCal 6.

17 Apr 62

STM Exercise 603 was conducted with NNR, 26 & 30 Region participating.

19 Apr 62

Live Exercise Cold Wind 35 was held, siren sounding at 1730 hours local and fading out at 2330 hours local.

25 Apr 62

WO1 McDougall, ADCHQ, carried out a Command Fire Inspection.

26 Apr 62

Cpl. ER Dale was selected Airwoman of the month for May 1962.

27 Apr 62

The Right Reverend Russell Brown, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec and Canon CES Bone of LaTuque visited the station for confirmation ceremonies.
Eighteen Grade 8 - 9 students from the town of Parent were given a briefing and tour of the Operations Building. The boys were accompanied by Rev. Couture and Mr. Sirois. The entire briefing was in French language including an intercept on the 15J1D trainer.

30 Apr 62

A briefing and tour of the Operations Building was given to 5 servicemen’s wives.
The total number of intercepts for the month was 405.
The MSE Section has now operated 395 accident free days, a total of 221,415 miles for an average of 560 miles per day.

2 May 62

F/L JR Cairncross, AS/NDef., and Sgt. MB Fletcher, GDefmn, North Bay, visited Station Parent regarding Training Liaison for 1962 Requirements and Advice on Passive Defence Measures.

3 May 62

Exercise Shock Wave IV was held. The siren sounded at 2045 hours and the first target appeared at approximately 2230 hours. Two CF-101s and 6 F-89s were controlled. Fade Out came at 0200 hours.

4 May 62

The new volume of Air Defence Command Instructions were received by the unit.

8 May 62

The Nuclear Defence Team from CHQ commanded by F/L Winchester carried out a "no-notice" alert. All phases of the Station Parent EDP were exercised. Personnel spent approximately 1 ½ hours in the shelters.

9 May 62

FS J Sword, Supply Section, reported in on transfer from Station North Bay.

11 May 62

S/L SI Evans, Assistant for Women’s Personnel at AFHQ, carried out a staff visit and attended the Airwomen’s Mess Dinner in honour of her coming retirement from the Service. (Annex 1)

14 May 62

F/L DA Tite reported in from St. Hubert to replace F/L AJ Slugoski as CAdO. F/L Slugoski is transferred to EWU St. Hubert effective 21 May 62.

17 May 62

STM Exercise 727 was conducted this date, with NNR, 26 and 30 Regions participating. Problem started at 1200 hours and lasted 3 hours.

18 May 62

A Fishing Derby was held in Rainbow Lake to determine whether the re-stocking of fish last fall had been successful. A 6 inch speckled trout was caught.

22 May 62

F/L LM Vaughan assumed the duties of Standards Officer. The Control and Surveillance positions have been combined due to reduced controller manning.

23 May 62

Mr. FW Wright, AFHQ, Mr. Betteridge and WO2 Fulmer visited the unit for final inspection of SAGE, GATR and Telco construction. No papers were signed as the final adjustment to MM controls were required.

24 May 62

Mr. Watson and Mr. Ryder of Westinghouse Company visited the unit regarding Tropospheric Scatter Van siting.

28 May 62

Sgt. AW Waddell, Cpl. CE Jones, LAC TR Massey all MW Techs from Station North Bay carried out an inspection of small arms and explosives.

29 May 62

Exercise Cold Wind 36 was conducted. The siren sounded at 0730 hours with the exercise ending at 1330 hours.
Mr. M Morin, Mr. P Smith and Mr. G Chalmers of CGE visited the unit to incorporate 3 Height Finder modifications.

30 May 62

S/L EH McCaffery, ADCHQ, visited Station Parent on a Command Inspection of Food Services.
Mr. Keenan of La Tuque Telephone Company visited the unit regarding cabling between Telco and GATR.
Mr. W Ruddy, Superintendent of Montreal Air Movements Information Service and Montreal Aircraft Control Centre visited for 2 days. He briefed the Operations Staff on AMIS procedures and discussed problems that have been encountered between AMIS and AC&Ws. He also visited the Communications Section re AMIS circuit.
WO1 WAM Smith, ADCHQ Photo Specialist, carried out a staff visit.

31 May 62

STM Exercise Double Time Alfa was conducted with the film starting at 1200 hours. Temporary battle damage from the units was well exercised in this program.

The number of intercepts for the month of May was 342.

During the month of May, 4 babies were born at the unit hospital.

Signed by:
(SC Tugwell)
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Parent, PQ