Sydney, NS

1960 – Historical Narrative – National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
RCAF Station Sydney NS
1 Jun 60 to 30 Nov 60

1 Jun 60

S/L RM McDonald, CO, was visiting Stn Cold Lake as a guest at the Annual Rocket Meet.

2 Jun 60

Mr. Marcel Fortin, Wire Chief departed on transfer to Senneterre. His replacement is Mr. GD Finney.

5 Jun 60

W/C EE Parks, SOSup ADCHQ reported in on TD for 1 day on Supply Inspection.

6 Jun 60

F/O RH Smith TechCE reported on transfer from RCAF Station Uplands to be SCEO. WO2 McIvor, Assistant Command Fire Marshall reported in on TD for 1 day on semi annual Fire Inspection. The unit prepared the Emergency Defence Force in conjunction with Exercise Desk Top 3. Maximum security was maintained throughout the EDP exercise, no evidence of attempted infiltration or sabotage was found. Personnel showed keen interest in the exercise and proved that past training came into good use.

7 Jun 60

W/C FR Sarty SOGT ADCHQ and F/L JE McCullock SOGT AC&W Training ADCHQ arrived on TD for a 1day visit to confer with F/L Vine SGTO.

8 Jun 60

In the evening a mixed dining-in night was held in the Officers’ Mess with guests of honour being F/L & Mrs. Chase, F/L & Mrs. Henley, F/L & Mrs. Veals and F/O & Mrs. O’Leary, all transferred. The function was attended by regular and associate members and their wives. A most enjoyable time was had by all. The departing members were made members of the RCBAF and presented with the RCBAF scroll. In addition, each officer was presented with a suitable memento of his stay at Station Sydney.

10 Jun 60

F/L GW Chase COpsO, departed on TD to Richard Gabour AFB Kansas. On completion of his course there, he will be transferred to Great Falls Montana. F/L PJ Thomas assumes the duties of COpsO.

13 Jun 60

F/O Boynes & F/O Abbott depart for 1 day TD Station St. Margarets for briefing on Tactical employment and performance of F-106 and F-101B.

15 Jun 60

F/L Ireland, TechTel, from STelSO Branch ADCHQ arrived on TD for a 2-day staff visit.

19 Jun 60

Air Force Day was held at Sydney Airport. The weather in the morning was inclement, however it cleared by noon permitting the Air Show which included the Golden Hawks to proceed as planned. Estimated 40 to 50 thousand persons attended the show.

22 Jun 60

A/C JB Harvey, Chief Staff Officer, ADCHQ and G/C WJ Grant STSO ADCHQ inspected the Station on 23 Jun. Arriving the evening of 22 Jun, they attended an Officers Dining-In followed by a social evening attended by the Officers and Associate members and their wives.

23 Jun 60

The A/C was given a briefing of the station followed by a tour of the various sections. They departed at 1200 hours. Sgt. Corcoran NCO i/c AFP departed for Station St Hubert on TD to join the Guard of Honour for Her Majesty’s and President Eisenhower’s visit.

24 Jun 60

The CO and a party of 8 airmen proceeded to Cape North, Cape Breton to participate in the unveiling ceremony of a bust of John Cabot to commemorate his landing at that point. WO2 JA Cadieux TelMSupt G proceeded on 4 days TD to Station Foymount for familiarization of Radar Equipment.

27 Jun 60

F/L WJ Blackburn AS/FtrC departed on transfer to Station Mont Apica. F/C DA Muise & F/C WE Dauphinee URTP, arrived for summer employment.

28 Jun 60

Northern Electric maintenance crew of eleven reported in for maintenance of radar equipment.

30 Jun 60

Service personnel granted a stand-down with only a skeleton staff on duty as a reward for their efforts on Air Force Day.

1 Jul 60

F/O DE O’Leary promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

4 Jul 60

Sea Cadets from Point Edward Naval Base commenced their summer swimming training at the unit in the swimming pool from 0930 -1130 hours, Monday to Friday inclusive. Tests were held every Tuesday evening. About 75 – 80 sea cadets attended each swimming period.

6 Jul 60

FS Denis, Sanitary Inspector MACHQ reported in for 2 days TD for Command Health and Dairy Inspection.

8 Jul 60

The ASWelO from MACHQ visited this unit on welfare duties.

10 Jul 60

The Northern Electric maintenance crew departed from the Station having completed their maintenance duties on equipment.

14 Jul 60

A CO’s parade and inspection was held at 0830 hours. Canadian Forces Decoration was presented to Sgt. CW Buck by the Commanding Officer. F/O K Penny Air/Obs/AI reported in from Station Parent on transfer to be employed as Fighter Controller.

15 Jul 60

S/L RM McDonald, CD, CO, was promoted to the rank of Acting Wing Commander.

19 Jul 60

S/L Goldsmith OC 425 Squadron Station St. Hubert and F/O A Ramey arrived on the station for a visit and stayed overnight.

21 Jul 60

S/L R Osborne, Command Matron and F/L N Evoy, Command Medical secretary arrived on the station from ADCHQ for a one-day familiarization visit.

24 Jul 60

One officer and 8 airmen attended, along with members of the Army & Navy, an Anglican Church Parade at St. Georges Anglican Church in Sydney.

26 Jul 60

F/O LW Worton ACC, reported in on transfer as SAO from Station Goose Bay.

27 Jul 60

Three officers and 50 airmen took part in the Warrior’s Day Parade in the City of Sydney as part of the 175th Anniversary Celebrations. The Red Knight carried out a flying display in his T-33 during the afternoon. In the evening a Warrior’s Day Dance was held in the Rec. Hall. Attending the dance were members of the three services, veterans and city officials. F/L RAK Shives, Major White, Mr. Donkin & Mr. Murphy reported in to review siting plans and discuss the installation of radar equipment. Remained overnight.

28 Jul 60

F/L EH McCaffrey FSvO ADCHQ arrived on TD for 1 day Messing Inspection.

29 Jul 60

F/L RG Henley CTSO departed on transfer to AFHQ. F/L WC Veals SAO departed on transfer to SOAF Branch ADCHQ

31 Jul 60

A funeral party consisting of 6 Bearers and 15 airmen under Sgt. Bryden were dispatched to Louisburg for the funeral of LAC HW Ferguson of RCAF Station St Hubert who drowned at Station Chatham on 27 Jul 60. Sgt. Corcoran NCO i/c AFP was responsible for the administrative arrangements for the funeral.

1 Aug 60

A crew of consulting engineers reported in to review the siting plans for the new tower to be constructed. They anticipated remaining on the unit for 3 days. An excavation crew arrived to commence work on preparing the ground for the foundation for the new tower.

3 Aug 60

Security at main gate intensified due to pending exercise.

4 Aug 60

Security exercise implemented with alert being sounded at 0910 hours and all static guards were in position by 0930 hours. The "All Clear" was sounded at 1542 hours. Nil activity. Sgt. Reid departed on TD for 10-week course at Winnipeg; selected for employment as Radar Ops (Air) after completion of pre-OTU training: later CT’d from course.

8 Aug 60

F/L WS Howie, Van Cal project officer from 11 TSU arrived on TD to review operational requirements of Electronic Test Equipment Calibration Van #5.

9 Aug 60

WO2 Ratee on TD to inspect water and sewage treatment plants.

11 Aug 60

WO2 CN Vincent TelMSupt 4 reported in from Station Gander to be Radar WO.

12 Aug 60

Acting Sgt. MacKay departed on 6 weeks TD to Camp Borden for SGTS Course.

16 Aug 60

Six Van Cal representatives from CAE Montreal reported in for 2 weeks to check calibration equipment in Operations. F/L E Zapf ASWelO MACHQ reported in for 2 days welfare duties.

23 Aug 60

F/L Pineo reported in from ADCHQ on TD for 1 day visit.

24 Aug 60

Mr. H Farris reported in for one day from Fredericton Sector HQ on STP duties.

27 Aug 60

F/L JF McElroy departed on 1 day TD to Baddeck to attend unveiling ceremony of War Memorial.

29 Aug 60

F/L Vine departed on 4 days TD to ADCHQ for CGTO conference.

30 Aug 60

S/L KW House, Chap, arrived on 1 day TD for Chaplain’s Staff visit.

1 Sep 60

F/L Steeves CAdO, departed on transfer to Station Cold Lake. Exercise Sioux Chief in progress. Security intensified at 0900 hours. Maximum readiness was in effect at 1700 hours and during the exercise all three saboteurs were accounted for and either captured or killed. The exercise ended at 0015 hours 2 Sep 60. A good report on the station’s security force was submitted by the Assessing Officer.

11 Sep 60

Cpl. LJ Nadeau, LAC D Pineau, LAC J Berube all MME, departed for Station St. Jean for Safe and Skilled Driving Competition.

12 Sep 60

F/L B Durnin TechTel reported in from Station Clinton to assume duties of CTSO.

13 Sep 60

S/L McConnell SOCE Branch ADCHQ arrived on TD for 2-day inspection and staff visit.

24 Sep 60

Group of local Boy Scouts became lost while on a hiking trip. The station Search and Rescue team headed by Cpl. Struthers and F/O Abbott found them early the same evening.

25 Sep 60

F/L PJ Thomas proceeded on 3 Days TD to 870 Fighter Squadron HMCS Shearwater for purposes of controller cross training.

26 Sep 60

F/L AJ Anderson Air/P reported in from Station Cold Lake to assume duties of CAdO.

1 Oct 60

Officers’ Mess held Full Formal with city dignitaries present. Sgt. Corcoran elected Mayor of PMQ Council; replaces WO2 Maltby who did not run for re-election.

2 Oct 60

Mr. HC Cluett of Globe Furniture Co. Waterloo, Ontario, arrived to install Chapel pews ordered from his company – departed 12 Oct.

4 Oct 60

WO J Manach arrived to inspect self-help range and explosive storage, and to service small arms.

5 Oct 60

F/L E Zapf, ASWelO MACHQ arrived for 2 days TD.

6 Oct 60

WO2 Aucoin and FS Gagne ADCHQ arrived on 2 days TD for mechanical and electrical inspection of station installations and facilities.

9 Oct 60

Our fire fighting section under Sgt. Hay official opened Fire Prevention Week with an "open house". During the week, displays were show, prizes given away, fire drills and lectures held. On the last day, the Beauty Queen was crowned.

11 Oct 60

F/L Thomas & F/O Starks departed on 2 days TD to 640 AC&W Squadron Harmon AFB Newfoundland on liaison duties.

14 Oct 60

F/O Cain, STelO, departed on 4 week TD to Station Clinton for Computer Indoctrination Course. F/O Starks departed on 1 week TD to Station Clinton for Electronic Warfare Indoctrination Course. Sgt. T Melnyk departed on 10 week TD at Station Winnipeg. Selected for Radar Operator (A) after successful completion of pre OTU training. Later CT’d from Course.

20 Oct 60

F/L Durnin departed for IAM Toronto for test re Medical Flying Category.

23 Oct 60

F/O D Phinney departed on 3 weeks TD to Station Trenton for SIT Course.

24 Oct 60

W/C Evans and F/O Allison, SOAF Branch ADCHQ arrived on TD for M&I Audit Board and Inspection.

25 Oct 60

His Excellency WE Power, D.D., Bishop of Antigonish, officially accepted and blessed the new Roman Catholic Chapel. The Chapel is part of a double Chapel which was recently completed. The Bishop was assisted in the ceremony be G/C Rev. JR D’Airgon DRA/RC, AFHQ and W/C Rev NJ Gallagher, SORA/RC, ADCHQ. Sgt. Cavanagh ComOp Sup R arrived from ADCHQ to take over NCO i/c Message Centre. W/C Berry SOOrg ADCHQ arrived on 2 day TD. After a briefing by the CO, W/C Berry inspected the unit. In conjunction with an operational exercise, the station Emergency Defence Plan was put partially into effect. The alerting and providing suitable shelter for service personnel and dependents during nuclear fallout periods was the main theme of the exercise.

28 Oct 60

LAC Berthelet, AFP & AC Cook AFP, departed for Gagetown, NB, with prisoner LAC Chambers who had been awarded 21 days detention for setting fire to bedding.

1 Nov 60

G/C Houle, Sector Commander and S/L Pearson, arrived for a 5 day inspection and visit. An Officers’ Dining-In night was held on 4 Nov for the G/C. F/L Vine departed on 4 day TD to ADCHQ for SGTO Conference.

4 Nov 60

W/C McDonald, Commanding Officers departed on annual leave. F/L Thomas assumed command of the station in W/C McDonald’s absence.

6 Nov 60

S/L Cooke, SOCE Branch, ADCHQ arrived on TD 3 days for inspection visit. F/L Durnin returned from IAM Toronto. F/L Cowell, Command Fire Marshall arrived on 2 days TD from ADCHQ for semi annual inspection

7 Nov 60

Lt. J Pugh, RCASC DID Halifax, arrived on 1 day TD to discuss food services generally with CAdO and NCO i/c FSv. Sgt. EP Senos RecSpec, RCAF Representative on AAUOFC Boxing Committee, attended annual meeting of Armed Services Branch of Amateur Athletic Union of Canada in Halifax.

14 Nov 60

FS Brown, Command Sanitation Inspector, MACHQ, arrived on 1 day TD for semi annual hygiene inspection.

15 Nov 60

F/L J Cottrell & F/O Archibald, Organization and Establishment Branch ADCHQ arrived 1 day TD to discuss statistics returns.

16 Nov 60

F/L D Symington AS/FtrC arrived from Station Beaverbank as President of a Committee of Officers to investigate and make findings on a matter placed before them by the AOC.

18 Nov 60

F/L WK Beattie Tech/Photo, ADCHQ arrived on 1 day TD for staff visit. WO2 JW Wilkes and Sgt. TR Noven TSE Detachment Clinton arrived on 6 days TD for Radar & Communication Inspection.

23 Nov 60

F/L G Fyfe Tech/Sup arrived from ADCHQ on 2 days TD for supply inspection. S/L R Millage and F/L O Wonnacott, SOPA Branch ADCHQ arrived on 2 days TD for annual SOPA inspection.

24 Nov 60

F/L L Williams, SOPA, ADCHQ arrived for 2 days TD on annual Recreation inspection.

25 Nov 60

F/O E Siemens departed for 1 week TD to Station Clinton on Electronic Warfare Indoctrination Course.

27 Nov 60

The CO, F/L McElroy and F/L Vine departed for 2 days TD at Station St. Margarets on Fredericton Sector AC&W Commanders’ Conference.

28 Nov 60

F/L E Zapf, Area Welfare Officer reported in from MACHQ on TD for 1 day.

(RM McDonald) W/C
CO RCAF Station Sydney, NS