St. Sylvestre, QC

1964 – Historical Summary – National Archives of Canada


HISTORICAL SUMMARY
RCAF STATION ST. SYLVESTRE
1 January 1964 to 20 July 1964

Introduction:

This period has been for RCAF Station St. Sylvestre a period of great change and activities. In March 64, announcement was made that this unit along with three others would close during the summer months.

Summary of Unit Activities:

16 Mar 64

Mr. Hellyer, MND announced closing of four radar sites of the Pinetree line, stations: Beaverbank, Parent, Edgar and St. Sylvestre.

1 Apr 64

The effective date of disbandment. The unit becomes a self-accounting Rear Party.

29 Apr 64

Ceremonial parade to mark the closing down of this unit. Reviewing Officer is A/C AC Hull DFC, CD, Chief of Staff ADCHQ assisted by S/L DA Reid, ADCHQ. At this parade three Canadian Forces Decorations were presented. The Fire Chief, FS Bellefleur with Cpl. Bedard and Cpl. Burelle were given a certificate of merit for the good work achieved by the Station Fire Prevention Team. The Parade was followed by cocktails and supper in the Officers Mess for A/C and Mrs. Hull and other guests with station officers and wives attending.

Operations:

29 Jan 64

Exercise "Cree Feather I" 29/23:10Z to 30/20:20Z

12 Mar 64

Exercise "Cree Feather II"

20 Mar 64

17:00 hourrs local. Station St. Sylvestre goes off the air forever. The only Technical sections still operating are ADCOM, TELCO, PBX, Tower Power Plants and Message Centre.

Training:

Besides TA programmes going on full time in the Technical Sections, a formal course was given from 10 Dec 63 to 20 Mar 64 on Digital Techniques and FST-2 operations in SAGE system. The FST-2 was studied in its Technical and Operational sides.

Technical:

25-26 Mar 6

F/O Orford from ADCHQ visited this unit to find out the areas of problems expected during operation "Phase-Out".

28 Apr 64

Arrival of two GEEIA representatives. They expect to be at this unit for approximately 45 days. They are responsible for overall supervision during dismantling, packing and shipping operations.

1 May 64

Antennas of the FPS-6B’s and FPS-20 are being dismantled. USAF personnel are expected to arrive in a few days to dismantle the radomes.

5 May 64

Arrival of USAF Radome crew.

1 Jun 64

Tower all cleared of business.

15 Jul 64

PBX and Communications Center ceases operation at 16:00 hours local time.

Administration:

31 Mar 64

00:01 hours local, Station St. Sylvestre becomes Station St. Sylvestre Rear Party. The station is still self-accounting.

6 Apr 64

Station St. Sylvestre is notified by message that transfers for all personnel will be received before 1 May 64 and that all PMQ’s are to be vacated by 15 Jul 64.

13 Apr 64

Public inventories are being checked. Equipment is being

27 Apr 64

Most transfers have arrived. The general reaction of personnel is good.

25 May 64

Beginning of M&I disposal through ADCHQ.

4 Jun 64

All M&I equipment not allotted to other units or Navy and Army is offered to station personnel.

10 Jun 64

Combined Mess ceases operation.

19 Jun 64

RC and Protestant schools closed.

20 Jun 64

Unit ceases to be self-accounting. Last DRO issued.

Organization:

22 Jun 64

19827 W/C EW Smith DSO, CD, relinquishes command of RCAF Station St. Sylvestre.

23 Jun 64

39605 F/L NJ Coles, DFC, CD, assumes command of 13 Radar Squadron St. Sylvestre Rear Party.

Official Visits and Inspections:

8 Jan 64

A/C M Pollard and W/C Colosimone from Ottawa NORAD Sector visited this unit to find out if any operational problems existed at this station and inspect our facilities.

9 Jan 64

Dr. Couturier, Minister of Health and Welfare of Province of Quebec and other officials visited this unit, to investigate the possibility for their department to use this unit if it closes.

20 Mar 64

Visit by officials of the "Protection Civile de la Province de Quebec" to investigate the possible use of the station for their organization.

May & June 64

More visits from Province of Quebec officials to investigate on possible use of the Station.

Recreation:

3-8 Feb 64

Winter Carnival – The Queen, Claire Bourgault, Civilian personnel representative is elected on the 8 February. The Airmen team wins the Sports Competitions. It is everybodys opinion that 1964 Winter Carnival was the most successful of all.

3 Apr 64

Mess Dinner in the Officers Mess to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the RCAF. Honored guests are:

G/C Tacherau – Lt. Governor Aide de Camp

W/C Dupuis – CO Lac St. Denis

S/L Jean – CO Recruiting Unit, Quebec.

Public Relations:

Since this unit is closing, PR has been kept to the minimum during the year 64. However, news reporters were present at the final parade and afterwards wrote in the local papers some very interesting articles.

Other:

23 Apr 64

Funeral at Lambton, PQ for LAC JLG St.-Pierre, who dies at Ste-Foye Hospital. LAC St.-Pierre was from 6 RD Trenton. This unit provided an attending party.

14 May 64

Funeral of Sgt. JPGG Lavoie from Quebec City who died at Station Cold Lake on 8 May 64. This unit provided six Senior NCOs as pallbearers.