Puntzi Mountain, BC

1966 – Historical Summary – National Archives of Canada

Appendix "A"
To Historical Report

Historical Summary
RCAF Station Puntzi Mountain
1 Jan 66 to 31 Dec 66

Introduction

1 As mentioned in earlier historical reports, RCAF Station Puntzi Mountain (Group III Site C-19) was taken over from the USAF on 1 Nov 62 and renamed the 55th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. The site is located in the Cariboo District of British Columbia – 117 road miles west of Williams Lake, BC, on the Chilcotin highway. The operations area is seven miles from the domestic site. All major domestic site services were outlined in the 1964 history introduction. 1966 is the last year of operation for this base, having been ordered to cease operations at 2359Z 30 Sep 66. The base is now in the process of disbandment.

Major Functions of the Unit

  1. In summarizing unit activities, it becomes apparent that the overall operational and administrative functions did not change appreciably during the period under review up to 30 Sep 66 when the official closing of the base was announced and operations ceased.
  2. The unit took part in many operational and training exercises in accordance with NORAD regulations and requirements prior to 30 Sep 66.
  3. The turnover of key personnel is as follows:
    4.

    S/L MaCauley

    replaced

    F/L Stewart

    as CGEO

    F/L Holland

    replaced

    F/L Emon

    as CAdO

    F/O McCluskey

    replaced

    F/O Ronberg

    as BCEO

    F/O Welland

    replaced

    F/O Powell

    as TelOpsO

  4. A number of staff visits and inspections were carried out by various ADCHQ staff officers. The unit was visited by a few distinguished guests. The first to arrive was the Commander of ADC, A/V/M MD Lister on 13 Jan 66; accompanying A/V/M Lister were G/C JC Hovey and party. On 1 Jun 66, Vice Admiral KL Dyer, Chief of Personnel, visited the unit accompanied by his PA.
  5. Recreational facilities and functions were extremely active during the year. On 29 Jan 66, W/C Avent officially opened the newly constructed Frontier Curling Club which was followed by a two day bonspiel. On 4 Feb 66, the second annual Winter Carnival was held, starting off with a parade throughout the base consisting of eleven floats from various sections. Throughout the day many sporting events were held and during the evening a station dance was held in the Airmen’s Club climaxed by the crowning of the Carnival Queen. The renovations were completed in the Sergeants Mess in May 66. Three new boats and motors were purchased in the spring and received extensive use throughout the fishing season. The golf course was also used extensively throughout the summer and several tournaments were held. The cable TV system has been working extremely well and has proven a real morale booster.
  6. The Station Flight and MSE sections were called upon to make 25 medical and search and rescue trips. The Otter aircraft made 12 airevacs involving 15 people. The MSE made 8 medical runs involving 9 people. Four flights were carried out in search for missing or over-due aircraft and one flight in search for a missing hunter. In addition, 121 KU Flight from Comox made 5 airevac flights from this unit involving 6 people. From 1 Jan 66 up to and including 24 Oct 66 the Otter had flown 287 hours, carrying 899 passengers and 84,950 lbs. of freight and mail.