Sioux Lookout, ON

Capt. M Mykytyshyn took over as Ground Environment Officer effective 18 July 1983.

Capt. A Corriveau took over as the Station Construction Engineering Officer effective 11 July 1983.

Capt. R Mackley took over as Station Logistics Officer effective 4 July 1983.

Capt. W Kaine took over as Station Comptroller effective 4 July 1983.

Capt. GD Brown took over as the Station Administrative Officer effective 18 July 1983.

2 Lt L Ortuso filled the vacant Telecom Maintenance Officer position effective 11 July 1983.

WO RA Brophy was appointed the Station Warrant Officer effective 1 July 1983 and was subsequently promoted to MWO 24 November 1983.

CFS Sioux Lookout provides support to the following cadet squadrons:

Station personnel involved are:

The Military Police section conducts the annual physical security surveys and help conduct weapons training when the corps visit the station.

FY 83/84 was again a very busy and productive year for the Construction Engineering Section. The propane conversion represents the most important project completed in the FY. The heating system is now propane and individual furnaces have replaced the central heating system. Two tanks of 68,150 litres each and one of 11,500 litres supply the fuel to each building. The project cost approximately $2,000,000.00.

The Drake building has been renovated to make room for the electrical, plumbing and roads and grounds. Few maintenance projects were also implemented, like the replacement of the main septic field and new roofs on the MSE garage and Mess Hall. Few insulation projects were implemented. Finally, a few projects were designed for the community.

The station celebrated its 30^th anniversary with an air show on 7 Sep 83 with participation by:

The Snowbirds
The Skyhawks
The Musket Gold
CFRC Winnipeg
2 PPCLI MP Platoon
Station Search and Rescue Team

The station was granted the freedom of the town of Sioux Lookout in a ceremony and parade in the town on 10 September 1983. The parade was a huge success and was led by the LSSR band from Thunder Bay. Members of the five cadet corps in the area also participated in the parade.

The week was capped off by an all ranks ball held the evening of 10 September 1983 with music supplied by the LSSR dance band. Approximately 420 people attended the ball.

CWO PE Delaney, Air Command CCWO visited the station 27 - 30 Sep 83. He met many of the other ranks during a tour of all branches on the station. He was a guest of honour at a tea hosted by the wives club. An other ranks mess dinner was held on 28 Sep 83 with CWO Delaney as the guest of honour.

This station was instrumental in organizing and conducting the third annual Terry Fox Run. There were approximately 150 participants in the run this year.

The following events occurred in chronological order for the calendar year 1983:

a. From Feb 14 – 17 a SIG’s platoon from the Canadian Airborne Reg. paratrooped onto Minitaki Lake and then commenced an assault onto CFS Sioux Lookout. Search and Rescue were tasked to prepare the DZ area for exercise Polar Gloom 83-1. Search and Rescue then provided medical assistance during the para drop. There were no casualties.

b. Exercise 83-2, consisted of a one-day training exercise (3 May) through bush, hills and swamp. Search and Rescue were tasked to look for a downed Beach aircraft 99 and pilot carrying dangerous goods. The search was completed in 6 hours. All personnel benefited fully; a very good exercise.

c. Exercise 83-3 involved 11 personnel in a training exercise on the 30 may. Search and Rescue were tasked to search for a Civilian aircraft and pilot who went down in the CFS area. Exercise lasted approximately 5 hours: the finer points were brought to light; another very good exercise.

d. Exercise 83-4 was a one-day OPEVAL exercise Search and Rescue were tasked to search for two lost campers in the Big Vermilion area: Search and Rescue were tasked to set up base camp on the shore of Big Vermilion and conduct a near shore, and shore search. The two campers were found and first aid treated, as well as taken to hospital. OPEVAL evaluator was very impressed with our Search and Rescue teams. Passed without any problem.

A Training Week was conducted during the week 3 – 7 Oct 83. Many of the station personnel attended courses and lectures. Attendance was as follows:

a. Standard First Aid – 24 people trained.

b. First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment – 63 people trained.

c. Defensive Driving Course – 14 people trained.

d. Base Defence Force – 18 people trained.

e. NBC Training – 57 people trained.

f. COMSEC Briefing – 57 people briefed.

g. Security (OPSEC) – 57 people briefed.

Reference: Sentinel 1983/2 Article "Take That Station"

1. Polar Gloom 83-1 14 – 19 Feb 83

a. This exercise was conducted to test the defence ability of the station against a manned attack using small weapons and chemicals during a nuclear fallout condition.

b. To provide winter warfare training for 40 Airborne HQ and Sigs personnel from the Airborne Regiment Petawawa.

c. The exercise was a complete success with all sides getting lots of required training.

2. Polar Warrior 83-1 30 Nov – 3 Dec 83.

a. The aim of this exercise was to test and train CFS Sioux Lookout personnel in defending the station against a manned attack survival under nuclear fallout conditions.

b. To provide winter warfare training for the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

c. The exercise was very successful with all parties receiving the training required.

The big event for the CGEO Branch last year was the C&E Tech Visit. The Tech Visit team arrived on the 14 Nov 83 and consisted of Maj. GA Fatum, CWO K Robertson, MWO Bunnage, MWO EA McIver and Capt DJ Zuppi. Upon their arrival a general meeting was held with the station CO. The team then proceeded to the Ops Complex where a briefing was held for the CO, CGEO, SSTO, TMO and Section Heads. It was explained to all concerned that the visit was not a pass/fail inspection. Rather the team was here to find any problems, equipment or other wise, which might lead to operational limitations. When the briefing was completed each member proceeded to their appropriate section to begin the inspection. The inspections were completed over a two-day period. On the third day a debrief was given to the CO, all officers, the RadWO and the NCO i/c each section.

The past two years of careful maintenance and general upkeep of the branch was rewarded. The debrief went exceptionally well. There was nothing but good words from the team and we were informed if rated on a scale of 1 to 10 we were a 9 and that was the best the team had given any LRR site.

1983 was a year of change in the Operations Branch. In June we completed the transition from the 21^st NORAD Region Control Centre, and SAGE to come under the operational control of Canadian NORAD Region East Sector, and the ROCC. On the 29^th of September we became the 7^th LRR to re-establish an Operations Branch since the automated era began.

With the coming of ROCC was the involvement of this site in months of testing, and a large number of exercises. The exercises varied from the large scale, multi-region NORAD exercises to self-generated, inhouse EDP exercise. A list of exercises is attached as Appendix 1.

Branch members shared in a prosperous year for promotions and awards. The following were promoted to their present rank:

a. MCpl. P Beattie

b. Cpl. D Robicheau

c. Pte. E Ciotti

Tourism was booming this year as a record 235 registered guests were treated to a guided tour of Ops. Scout groups, Air Cadets, Reserves, and students represented the larger groups.

Overall 1983 was a very good year, a successful OpEval and a tour of the ROCC in North Bay topped it off. 1984 promises to be even better.

1983 proved a most successful year with excellent results during the OPEVAL, ROCC conversion, C&E Tech Visit and Thirtieth Anniversary Airshow and associated celebrations. The off-oil project was completed although removal of the last sections of suspended steam line await spring. The diesel conversion has been delayed awaiting receipt of the power switching equipment (Aircom co-ordinated project).

The spectre of Station closure appears to have begun affecting higher headquarters’ plans and Aircom/MILE have delayed both the barracks and PMH renovation plans. Renovations to other buildings continue however.

1984 objectives include:

a. re-roofing four buildings in the Ops Complex

b. completion of the curling club

c. completion of the diesel conversion

d. renovations of the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and Officers’ Mess

e. possible renovations to the Junior Ranks’ Club

f. continued development of a training programme towards a successful 1985 OPEVAL.