The stations technological development parallels advances in the electronics field. In April 1954, RCAF Station Sydney became manually operational 24 hours a day; eight years later, with the progress of computer technology, the stations operational role and technical configuration were changed from a manual Ground Control Intercept (GCI) unit to become a Semi-Automatic Ground Environment long range radar station. By 1973, the radar data processing and transmission system had been further refined by incorporation of new transistorized equipment.
The stations recreational and social facilities have also developed steadily over the years. In 1957, the Recreation Centre, the Dispensary, the Administration and Construction Engineering Buildings were officially opened, and other construction in recent years has continued; in 1968, the Mobile Home Trailer Park was opened; in 1969, the Curling Rink and Gas Bar were erected, and in 1971, an extension was added to the Recreation Centre to house the CANEX Groceteria and Exchange, and in addition, the former Supply Building was modified extensively largely with self-help, to become the Bluenose Club (The Junior Ranks Mess).
Since 1953, CFS Sydney has changed from a collection of temporary huts with dirt roads to a modern, well-serviced radar station, on which Canadian Forces and DND civilian employees can be proud to work and live.
Roles: The primary role of this station is to collect, discriminate and transmit to designated centres, radar airsonic objects detected within the Stations area of radar coverage. A secondary role is to provide support for:
The Area: CFS Sydney is located approximately three miles from the centre of the city of Sydney. The city, with a population of approximately 40,000 is situated on the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island. Glace Bay, population 22,400 and North Sydney, 8,604 population are located within a twenty mile radius of the station. Also, within this twenty mile radius are many small towns such as New Waterford, Dominion, Reserve and Sydney Mines.
Although there is some fishing in the area, the economy is based mainly on coal mining, the production of steel, and the manufacture of steel and coke by-products. Many of the inhabitants earn less than 5,500 dollars per year. In Whitney Pier, less than three miles from the station, many of the houses are substandard and very old. This condition also applies to several areas within the City of Sydney. The lack of available housing and resulting crowded housing conditions have raised the purchase price of houses and rental costs in the area and have lowered the standard of living.
The people of Cape Breton are staunch supporters of the Military as evident from their participation in the Militia, Cadet units and other related groups. Per capita, this Island has produced more members of Canadas Armed Forces than any other segment of Canadian society of comparable size. The rapport between the local civilian community and the military personnel of CFS Sydney is excellent. Participation by both civilian and military personnel in community activities has created both friendly relations and mutual respect.
The area is rich in tradition and history, and boasts several nationally renowned tourist attractions such as the Cabot Trail, Fortress Louisbourg, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum at Beddeck and the Miners Museum in Glace Bay.
Since CFS Sydney is located on the north-eastern side of Cape Breton Island within five miles of the open sea, the climate is typical of an eastern seaboard community. There is always a large amount of moisture present in the air and the presence of the nearby salt water is evident. Because of its elevation, approximately 280 feet above sea level and 200 feet above the surrounding terrain, the station is subjected to the full force of strong winds which prevail most days of the year. The temperatures may vary from -10 degrees Celsius in the winter to 24 degrees Celsius in the summer. Approximately 1.35 meters of rainfall can normally be expected each year.
The station is located within a two mile radius of one of the worst sources of solid and gaseous corrosive pollutants in North America, i.e., the plant of the Sydney Steel Corporation and the associated coke ovens, from which over 250 tons of pollutant per square mile per month has been measured in current pollution surveys conducted in the area. Thus, we have a serious and continuous problem (unique among radar stations) in maintaining the cleanliness of buildings and equipment.
The Island: Cape Breton Island is a uniquely beautiful blend of land, sky and water. Its coasts are washed by the Atlantic Ocean and Northumberland Strait, and its land mass encloses the Bras dOr - an inland sea of 450 square miles, perhaps the finest contained and unpolluted salt water body in the world. Parts of the islands distinctive topography are characterized by massive rolling hills which slope into picturesque valleys. Along the coast, craggy shores entertain the restless pounding of Atlantic surf, while inland, warmer lake waters lap many sandy beaches. From the islands many look-out points, one can see spectacular panoramas of the dominating hills, lush green valleys and broad expanse of ocean or lake.
Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, spent many summers in his Beddeck, Cape Breton home. He wrote I have traveled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and the American Rockies, the Andes and the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all. Cape Breton has a colorful history. John Cabot claimed the island for England when he crossed the Atlantic in 1497. In the 18th century it was under French domination and was known as Isle Royale. Early settlers on the island were predominantly of Scottish descent. They found in the rugged hills of Cape Breton an echo of their own homeland. Each summer, the flash of colorful tartans and the skirl of pipes keeps alive the traditions and culture of these early settlers. Gaelic was the language spoken then and it is in that language that Cape Bretoners often greet their visitors: CIAD MILE FAILTE - A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES.
Royal Cape Breton Air Force: Nothing written on CFS Sydney could be considered complete without reference to the RCBAF. This august organization was officially founded on 25 April 1956 on the occasion of an Officers Mess Dinner honoring the departure of a native Cape Bretoner, F/O SB Roach. Prior to that time the RCBAF had existed only as an intangible morale factor in the life of Station Sydney.
One must remember that Cape Breton has a special place in the annals of aviation history. After all, the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire took place on 23 February 1909 at Baddeck Bay. On that occasion, JAD McCurdy flew the Silver Dart a distance of a half mile at a height of about thirty feet. In addition, in the early days, CFS Sydney, located as it is somewhat off the beaten track, received relatively few visitors from Headquarters Staff Officers. Consequently, an in-house jocular clich‚ developed that CFS Sydney was running its own Air Force and only paying lip service to the official RCAF hierarchy. Out of this grew the shape of the RCBAF as the personification of Air Force operations in the Cape Breton area, as practiced by Station Sydney. Doing things RCBAF style came to be synonymous with doing things differently and at least one cut better than any run-of-the-mill RCAF organization. This special RCBAF flair, a result of the Cape Bretoners natural independence and pride combined with our insular location, is soon imparted to the new arrival. In this context, the FCBAF organization has become more and more a real entity and the focal point for morale on the Station.
On the 25 April 1956, at the aforementioned farewell do, it was decided to give the RCBAF some tangible form and F/O Roach was therefore presented with the first membership scroll. This unique item was individually prepared, and from it, the final and current membership scroll was developed in printed form. However, the rather irreverent wording of the present scroll preserves the sentiment and sense of the original.
Originally, membership was to be restricted to RCAF members of the Officers Mess, Station Sydney, who had served at least six months at the Station. Since then provisions have been made to include Associate Members, and visiting Officers. On the 31 May 1956 on the occasion of A/V/M Wrays visit, the first Air Officer Commanding (AOC) to inspect CFS Sydney, honorary membership was devised to pay special recognition to distinguished visitors.
Evolution being what it is, the organization could not remain static and certain customs and traditions were incorporated. To cite several examples: the establishment of an RCNAF Mess Kit Mess Dress with the Cape Breton tartan bow tie instead of a mundane black one; special rum toast to the RCBAF in the true highland fashion all present, climbing onto their chairs with the right foot upon the table, reverently saying Chimo The RCBAF; the embodiment of the motto Nil Illegitimus Carboron Dum, translated Dont let the bastards grind you down; the replacement of the usual farewell mugs, with a sword which the faithful use to protect the homeland in times of great crises: the retention of former RCAF ranks on the scroll is another innovation; and finally the establishment of the office of Honorary Marshall of the RCBAF. To qualify for this exalted position one must be male, a Cape Bretoner and a member of the Officers Mess with a minimum of fifteen years continuous employment at CFS Sydney. Such customs and traditions only gave voice to the undefinable spirit which is the RCBAF something more than a mere esprit de corps. The good humored spirit, although somewhat impertinent, provides the focus for the RCBAF Station Sydney, as it is, THE BEST!
By the time this Issue appears in print, the RCBAF will have celebrated its 20th anniversary with a reunion and Mess Dinner scheduled for 24 April 1976.
--This article was written by Lt. JE Fitzgerald and was published in C&E Newsletter 1976/2.