Tofino, BC

1957 – Phasing Out RCAF Station Tofino – National Archives of Canada

SECRET

 

S955-102

Submitted by Cops

12 Aug 57

 

Supporting Data
for

Current Planning Committee
Air Defence Operations AC&W Squadrons
RCAF Tofino - Phasing Out

 

APPENDICES
APPENDIX "A" - Coverage Chart - Vancouver Island Area

 

Introduction

  1. The 1958-61 Programme of activities indicates the desirability of phasing out the AC&W Unit at Tofino during 1958-59. As a result of recent discussions between this Headquarters and the USAF concerning the Radar Improvement Programme (RIP) attention has been focused on Tofino because its present equipment (CPS-5D on loan from the USAF) is obsolete and becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. Furthermore, it is apparent that even with up-to-date equipment at Tofino there would be no increase in the effectiveness of the existing air defence system on the West Coast because adequate coverage is provided by the adjacent radars at Holberg and Neah Bay (USAF).

Situation

  1. Appendix "A" illustrates the coverage and capabilities peculiar to each unit in this area for the 5,000 ft., and 10,000 foot levels. This coverage increases with altitude. The chart is based on line of sight for a radar for FPS-3 capability. Tofino’s existing coverage is not definitely known, but it is less than that of an FPS-3 radar.
  2. The area coverage of Tofino is adequately covered by Holberg and Neah Bay. The control function for the Vancouver Island Area can be performed by Holberg and Neah Bay, with Comox handling scramble and recovery of aircraft. A realignment, excluding Tofino from the revised complex, will not detract from the overall effectiveness of the defence system in this area (Appendix "A").
  3. Operation of Tofino in its present AC&W role is redundant and uneconomical. This unit has an establishment of 15 officers, 162 airmen and 81 civilians. It has communications amounting to 18 voice and 6 teletype circuits to seven other formations within 5 Air Division. The expenditure of monies for manpower, communications, and services is not warranted in view of the very limited value from this operation.
  4. In this connection, AFHQ (COps and CTel) - ADC and CONAD are all in agreement with closing down Tofino.
  5. Air Defence Command have confirmed that it is operationally feasible and practicable to transfer Tofino’s operational responsibilities to Holberg and Neah Bay by re-alignment of the areas of responsibilities of the latter two units. Such action will result in a considerable saving in manpower and operating costs, and permit more advantageous employment of vitally needed personnel.

Recommendations

  1. It is recommended that Tofino be phased out of the AC&W system in the immediate future and placed on a care and maintenance basis.

Action to be Taken

  1. In support of the recommendation, implementation action will be required as follows:
  1. USAF agreement to the phasing out of Tofino as an operational unit be obtained in accordance with the Pinetree Agreement.
  2. Issuance of a disbandonment directive to ADC.
  3. A joint RCAF/USAF study to confirm whether or not the site will be required in the future so as to determine if complete abandonment action should be taken.