HISTORICAL SUMMARY
RCAF STATION ST. SYLVESTRE
1 June 1963 to 31 December 1963
1 Jun 63 to 31 Dec 63
During this period the Unit changed from manual to semi-automatic operations, becoming fully SAGEd on 1 Oct 63. On 1 Oct 63, at 11:00 hours, Station St. Sylvestre resumed operations with the Ottawa Sector at North Bay, having been under the operational control of Bangor Sector since the disbandment of the Montreal Sector.
It was rather an active period for public relations with groups of students, teachers and general public visiting the Unit. They were all given briefings on the role of the Unit, which included tours of the tower and townsite. These organized tours also include a complete NORAD briefing in both French and English. It was also a great period of frustration and rumours, starting off in November with the future of the Unit in doubt.
5 June 63
Triangulation exercise with Drumstick – seven aircraft involved. 05/1510Z to 05/1733Z
19 Jun 63
Air Commodore Sharp, Bangor Sector Commander, inspected the Unit.
26 Jun 63
Geronimo Yell exercise. Simulated BMEWS warning and nuclear attack.
5 Jul 63
Triangulation Exercise with Bangor Sector. Three aircraft involved.
8 Jul 63
Height finder tests carried out to see if our equipment would interfere with NRC measurements during the solar eclipse.
16 Jul 63
Air Vice Marshall Harvey, Commander Northern NORAD Region, and Air Commodore Sharp, Commander Bangor Sector, visit the Unit.
20 Jul 63
Group Captain Cameron of ADC Headquarters visited the Unit.
28 Aug 63
Simulated Reflex Action with Drumstick – three aircraft involved. 1240Z to 1355Z.
1 Oct 63
Station St. Sylvestre commenced SAGE operations under the operational control of the Ottawa Sector. F/L RV Furneaux appointed CadO.
10 Oct 63
Exercise "TOP RUNG" – simulated heavy radar jamming on all frequencies, with simulated nuclear attacks and nudet reporting.
12 Oct 63
The conclusion of an excellent week of Fire Prevention. This important occasion was celebrated with a Fire Fighting Competition between the RCAF and surrounding fire brigades. The team from Ste. Agathe won the trophy. RCAF Station St. Sylvestre was honoured by the Provincial Government, whose representatives presented a Certificate of Merit to the Station, for its outstanding contributions in Fire Prevention. Station St. Sylvestre is the only RCAF unit to be so honoured, and it has only been awarded to one other military organization.
17 Oct 63
Exercise "CATSEYE D".
21 Oct 63
Exercise "APEX E".
30 Oct 63
Exercise "SWIFT KICK ONE".
7 Nov 63
Exercise "MUTE SEVEN". F/L B Wasiuta, CadO, transferred to Station Bagotville.
21 Nov 63
Officers’ Mess Dinner – Group Captain G Taschereau, Sec and Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor was guest of honour.
3 Dec 63
Exercise "CATSEYE F".
6 Dec 63
Exercise "DESK TOP VI".
9 Dec 63
Exercise "DESK TOP VI".
15 Dec to 31 Dec 63
Two excellent weeks of festive activities. Everyone looking forward to 1964, hoping that the future of RCAF Station St. Sylvestre will be decided shortly. Morale has never been better.
Signed:
(EW Smith) W/C,
Commanding Officer