Beaverbank, NS

1960 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


SECRET

NARRATIVE REPORT
RCAF Station Beaverbank
1 Jun 60 to 30 Nov 60

Section II – CAdO

The following is an outline of the activities of the CAdO for this period.

8 Jun 60

W/C FR Sarty SOGT and F/L McCulloch visited this unit.

10 Jun 60

W/C EE Parks SOSup on regular staff visit from ADCHQ.

20 Jun 60

Station Chapel was accepted from the contractors.

23 Jun 60

A/C JB Harvey and G/C Grant visited this unit. An inspection was made of all sections, and the CStaffO attended social functions at the Senior NCOs and Officers Messes.

27 Jun 60

W/C RC Wilson presented the World Refugee Year fund with RCAF Station Beaverbank’s donation of $1,128.00. A group of USAF Officers, Colonel Hooker, Lt. Colonel Wiesner, Major Bailey and Major Verplank from 4602 Support Wing Ottawa visited this unit; also W/C Farrell.

30 Jun 60

The STelO, F/O McLachlan, gave lectures to members of an RCN Specialist Communications Course from HMCS Cornwallis.

1 Jul 60

F/C BA Dixon Pers./Admin. URTP from Acadia College, F/C TD LaRonde Tech/CE from UBC and F/C E Irvine Pers./Admin. From Mount St. Vincent Halifax reported in for summer employment.

15 Jul 60

S/L JC Bruner Air/P TOS from 3 (F) Wing Zweibrucken, Germany.

17 Jul 60

F/L RJ Lavigne Reserve Supply Officer from 2451 AC&W Squadron arrived for two weeks summer training.

19 Jul 60

W/C NJ Gallagher, ADCHQ RC Padre paid a staff visit to this unit.

22 Jul 60

S/L RA Osborne ADCHQ Matron and F/L Evoy ADCHQ Med Sec visited for two days.

29 July 60

F/C R Clements AS/FtrC URTP and F/C M Levin AS/FtrC URTP reported in for summer training.

1 Aug 60

F/L HE McCaffrey ADCHQ Pers./FSvO paid a staff visit to this unit.

2 Aug 60

F/C J Salois Tech/MSE URTP from UNB reported in for summer training.

3 Aug 60

S/L RC Keele Tech/Tel reported in from Mont Apica to assumed duties of CTSO.

5 Aug 60

Station Beaverbank was host to a group of crippled children from the City of Halifax. The children went swimming, had lunch, and participated in various indoor games.

10 Aug 60

F/C Grimmer Tech/Tel URTP from UNB reported in for summer training.

16 Aug 60

F/O J Graham Accounts reported in from Cold Lake to assume duties as SAO.

25 Aug 60

F/L KM Cady Accounts transferred to ADCHQ.

27 Aug 60

F/L J Ayres Air/P transferred to RCAF Station Gander.

28 Aug 60

A car accident occurred on the Beaverbank Road approximately 9 miles south of the station. Mr. N Dolbec, a civilian employee on the station, and LAC T Thorpe were killed. LAC Walker, the other occupant of the car, was injured.

30 Aug 60

Funeral held for Mr. Dolbec and LAC Thorpe.

2 Sep 60

LAC McDonald on strength this unit was killed in an auto accident near Calgary Alberta. Cpl. Orford and LAW Poirier were both injured. At 1340 hours, a forest fire was reported approximately four miles north of the station. At 2100 hours, airmen were called out to help fight the fire, and at 0145 hours, the fire was brought under control.

5 Sep 60

The airwomen at Station Beaverbank won the Nova Scotia Ladies Baseball Championship.

6 Sep 60

S/L FP Boyczuk Tech/Tel departed to attend Staff College in Toronto. F/O JJ Paskaruk Air/Obs transferred to RCAF Station Falconbridge.

8 Sep 60

Station Beaverbank won the ADC Wire Track & Field Meet.

9 Sep 60

G/C CC Smith CO of 5SD Moncton paid a liaison visit to this unit.

16 Sep 60

S/L McConnell ADC SOCE paid a staff visit to this unit.

25 Sep 60

F/L DA Ryan departed on TD for three months to attend a course at RCAF Staff College.

3 Oct 60

G/C Light DRA(P) and S/L K House Chaplain (P) visited this unit.

13 Oct 60

F/O JE Woods arrived this unit to carry out an SOCE visit.

21 Oct 60

A mess dinner was held in the Officer’s Mess. The Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia, Major General Plow, was the guest of honour.

23 Oct 60

The newly constructed Roman Catholic Chapel was dedicated by the Archbishop of Halifax, Gerald J Berry.

26 Oct 60

W/C Evans SOAF arrived this unit for a staff visit. Mr. Peter Carey from AFHQ arrived to help organize an arts and crafts club. He gave demonstrations in silk screening, metal etching, line block printing and metal enamel work.

28 Oct 60

A Station Halloween Dance was held in the Recreation Centre.

29 Oct 60

W/C W Barry SSOrg paid a staff visit to this unit.

31 Oct 60

F/O DB White transferred to this unit from RCAF Station North Bay.

8 Nov 60

S/L ER Heggtveit assumed command of the station at a Handing Over Parade at 0930 hours. W/C RC Wilson, the former Commanding Officer, was transferred to Stewart Air Force Base.

11 Nov 60

An Armistice Day Church Parade was held on the station.

18 Nov 60

F/L G Fyfe and Sgt. Foley arrived to carry out a Supply inspection.

19 Nov 60

F/L Beattie SOPhoto arrived for annual visit from ADC.

22 Nov 60

S/L R Millage SOPA and F/L O Wonnacott arrived to carry out annual inspection.

26 Nov 60

F/L L Williams SORec ADC visited this unit.

Section III – Chief Technical Services Officer

The following is an outline of the activities of the sections under command of the CTSO.

7 Jun 60

W/C FR Sarty (SOGT) visited section this date on staff inspection and discussed training problems.

7 - 10 Jun 60

W/C EE Parks, SOSup ADC, conducted annual staff visit.

8 - 9 Jun 60

WO2 IC McIvor from ADC visited station on semi-annual Fire Inspection.

12 Jun 60

Fire in PMQ 41 occurred at 1410 hours. Fat boiled over on stove.

20 Jun 60

Mr. JA MacPherson, CGE Inspection AFHQ; Mr. G Blackman, Mr. W Crossland and Mr. F Aulenback, DCL Inspectors, Halifax, visited station for inspection of chapel.

30 Jun 60

Nine RCN officers visited the Radar Section and were escorted through the section by F/O E McLachlan and F/O EH Stock. Miss LA Hickson, the civilian PBX Telephone Supervisor ceased employment on this unit upon transfer to Station Parent.

4 Jul 60

Mr. F Ethridge, representing USAF 4602nd Support Wing, Ottawa, arrived for technical assistance in off-loading AB-563 Towers. F/C TF LaRonde joined CE Section for summer employment.

11 Jul 60

WO2 HG Patrick and FS J prince ADC inspected heating system and also presided over Board of Reference Techs.

12 Jul 60

AB-563 GPS Towers each 2, arrived from Wayne Construction Company Incorporated, Seattle, Washington, USA.

14 Jul 60

Mr. EA Boys, AFHQ, inspected power requirements at operations area.

18 Jul 60

F/L RJ LaVigne, RCAF Auxilliary, Windsor, Ontario, reported for summer camp duties in Supply Section 18 Jul to 29 Jul inclusive.

25 Jul 60

Mr. J McPherson (AFHQ CCE) inspected PMQ services. Mr. JM Oliver, RCA Company representative, arrived at Beaverbank for a two day visit for pre-inspection of back-up radars and 15J1D trainer prior to overhaul.

26 Jul 60

Installation of SIF equipment was started under the supervision of Sgt. CF Baker.

2 Aug 60

F/C JLA Salois posted to Beaverbank for summer (Tech/MSE)

8 Aug 60

WO2 JS Rattee, ADC, inspected Water and Sewage Plant. Mr. EA Boys, AFHQ, inspected power facilities at operations site.

17 Aug 60

RCA overhaul and peaking crew under supervision of Mr. G Cram arrived to begin overhaul of 15J1D trainer and back-up radars.

25 Aug 60

At the Truck Rodeo held at RCAF Station Greenwood, LAC GN Snider placed 1st and LAC RB Colpitts placed 2nd. These two candidates will compete in the Eastern Truck Rodeo at St. Jean, Quebec on 13, 14 and 15 Sep 60.

1 Sep 60

The CAE Van Cal personnel arrived to begin calibration of all test equipment on the unit. Team leader was Mr. AG Findlay. Mr. Pete Smith of CGE arrived on unit for request maintenance on VHF antennae.

2 Sep 60

Station Fire Hall assisted forest fire at Mount Uniacke.

8 Sep 60

Station Fire Hall assisted forest fire at Hammond Plains.

15 Sep 60

F/C JLA Salois SOS on completion Special Duty on posting to University of New Brunswick, Sq. 15.

15 - 16 Sep 60

S/L G McConnell, ADC, visited CE Section for inspection.

22 - 29 Sep 60

FPS-6B Radar each 2 received from Toronto and Fort Erie, Ontario.

26 Sep 60

Mr. J Lamont, AFHQ and Mr. RM Theriault of Cribb Construction Company inspected power plant.

28 Sep 60

Mr. EA Boys, AFHQ; Mr. TD Grizzle, Mr. IJ Lum of Giffels and Vallet; Mr. Crosland, Mr. G Blackman, Mr. S Morrison, DCL Halifax inspected sites.

1 Nov 60

Ground broken for commencement of construction of Telco Building. Ground broken for construction of SAGE Annex.

4 Nov 60

F/L J Cowell, ADC, inspected Fire Hall and a number of the station buildings.

17 Nov 60

21093 WO2 JW Wilkes and 14099 Sgt. TR Naven, of #12 Exam Unit, Clinton arrived on unit to get personal assessment of recent graduates of #1 R&CS Clinton.

21 Nov 60

Ground broken for commencement of construction of GATR Building.

26 Nov 60

Fire truck G-8, Sgt. Coolen and LAC Craig responded to School fire at Kennetcook located 18 miles from the station.

 

Section IV – Senior Controller

The following is an outline of the activities of the Senior Controller section for this period.

1 Jun 60

Seven practice intercepts with Banshees. Jamming condition 1 from northwest lasted for 2 minutes - source unknown. L/L 538 to GObC at Turo was decommissioned. STP exercise carried out.

2 Jun 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s and ten with F-101s (Dow based). Two unknowns later IDFR by Boston. Emergency maintenance on EW lasted for 30 minutes. ECM condition 1 from the west lasted for 11 minutes (source unknown).

3 Jun 60

Four practice intercepts with CF-100s. RCC alerted this unit regarding missing Piper Alpine N6162D. Nil contact by this unit with a/c. Aircraft landed safely at St. John, NB. GCI site run with Puma 54 (condition 1). One unknown passed through this area on a westerly heading. Nil identification prior to fade.

4 Jun 60

VC954 given surveillance inbound to HZ. This a/c had lost all navigational equipment.

6 Jun 60

Thirteen practice intercepts with CF-100s. This unit placed on alert at 2000 hours (GMT) regarding "Desktop 3".

7 Jun 60

Sydney requested this unit carry out surveillance on 3 F-101s en route Otis AFB. Unable to contact a/c. Surveillance carried out by St. Margarets. Station placed on a one hour alert regarding "Desktop 3".

8 Jun 60

Simulated Air Defence Readiness "Big Noise" at 0732Z. During this exercise 52 critical tracks passed through this area. 22 simulated attacks with 870 Squadron were initiated. ALCOP was carried out by this unit during latter half of exercise.

9 Jun 60

Eight practice intercepts with Banshees. One unknown track later IDFR by Bangor as one KC-135.

10 Jun 60

Nine practice intercepts with Banshees. During "Big Blast" exercise four Banshees were scrambled for Pepper control. Nil fighter activity with this unit. ECM condition 1 was experienced during this exercise.

11 Jun 60

Two unknown tracks carried 150 miles south were IDFR by Boston.

14 Jun 60

Twelve practice intercepts with F-101s.

15 Jun 60

STP exercise carried out. Surveillance given to five SAC a/c upon request.

16 Jun 60

ECM condition 1 from Cure 25. Unknown track A384 IDFR as a flight of 3 B-47s.

17 Jun 60

STP exercise carried out. ECM conditions 1-3 from Sioux Arrow 5. None of these a/c working with 26th NORAD Region penetrated our area.

20 Jun 60

VC733 doing left-hand triangles was on test pattern for Shearwater ADR. STP exercise held.

22 Jun 60

STP exercise held. ECM condition 1 from "Team Scrimmage". Aircraft traversing Moisie area. Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. A/C Harvey landed at Sydney.

23 Jun 60

KC5010, squawking emergency landed at St. Margarets. Eight practice intercepts with F-101s. ECM condition 1 from a/c working Bangor area.

24 Jun 60

STP carried out.

26 Jun 60

Interference on scopes proved to be caused by "arcing" at Sydney. This interference in the form of "running rabbits" on EW only.

27 Jun 60

STP exercise held. A one hour demonstration run by EWU Boneyard 3 held successfully. ECM condition 2 from SAC working Bangor area.

28 Jun 60

VF870 Squadron on the Bonaventure until further notice.

29 Jun 60

Sector advised this unit that 2 submarines were operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Checking with Naval operations it was confirmed that these submarines were operating under naval control.

30 Jun 60

Because of the presence of USSR trawlers off the Halifax coast line, this unit was placed on a limited state of operations. This lasted until 3 Jul 60.

Summary 1 Jun 60 to 30 Jun 60

Tracks detected

6661

Unknowns

6

Intercepts (live)

65

Intercepts (synthetic)

422

Controlled flights

12

Emergencies

1

STP exercises

5

Remote Control (live)

0

Live Exercises

2

1 Jul 60

ECM condition 1 from unknown source lasted for 34 minutes. Kelly Lake (Halifax International Airport) operational as of this date.

5 Jul 60

This unit practiced scramble procedures through Halifax tower and ADR. One unknown track later IDFR.

6 Jul 60

STP exercise held. Mayday call from Hi-Fi 21 relayed to this unit by Cress 88. Aircraft landed safely at Dow AFB. Because of the presence of Soviet vessels in coastal waters, this unit went on "minimize". This condition of security lasted until 1927Z 7 Jul.

8 Jul 60

STP exercise held. CW jamming on 243.0 and 280.5 was taped. Investigation by naval operations discovered interference was caused by radio teletype from USS Lake Champlain in the Halifax Harbour. Five practice intercepts with CF-100s.

9 Jul 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. Communications other than forward telling lines to Sector and St. Margarets were unserviceable for 50 minutes.

11 Jul 60

STP exercise held. Remote control exercise with Chatham based CF-100s.

12 Jul 60

STP exercise carried out.

13 Jul 60

STP exercise "Duty Clock" held.

15 Jul 60

STP exercise held. Two a/c given flight following.

16 Jul 60

Exercise "Wide Awake" held between 2045Z and 0253Z. Five commitments with F-101s resulted in 4 MAs and 1 MI.

19 Jul 60

Seven practice intercepts with CF-100s. Hope (AEW) advised this unit of emergency SIF. This proved to be caused by a faulty SIF transmitter from an Argus on patrol.

21 Jul 60

Six practice intercepts with F-101s and nine with CF-100s. One unknown track IDFR by Bangor.

22 Jul 60

Seven practice intercepts with Banshees and eight with CF-100s. STP exercise held. Three SAC a/c given surveillance at their request.

23 Jul 60

Ten practice intercepts with CF-100s.

27 Jul 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. Boneyard 3 (EWU C-119( ran on this unit for two hours. Six MAs with F-101s.

28 Jul 60

Aircraft on "Team Scrimmage" overflew this area. Nil intercepts carried out.

29 Jul 60

STP exercise held. Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. ECM condition 1 from unknown source.

Summary 1 Jul 60 - 31 Jul 60

Tracks detected

6887

Unknowns

2

Intercepts (live)

68

Intercepts (synthetic)

419

Controlled Flights

6

Emergencies

1

STP Exercises

8

Remote Control (live)

1

Live Exercises

2

1 Aug 60

STP exercise held.

3 Aug 60

Exercise "Sioux Brave" held. Very little participation by this unit. 1 MA on one commitment with a CF-100. During the exercise, ECM condition 1 was the strongest experienced.

5 Aug 60

Seven practice intercepts with CF-100s and six with Banshees. One unknown carried until IDFR by Boston.

8 Aug 60

STP exercise carried out.

9 Aug 60

Eight practice intercepts with CF-100s.

10 Aug 60

STP exercise carried out.

12 Aug 60

Eight practice intercepts with CF-100s. STP held.

15 Aug 60

STP exercise held. Eight practice intercepts with CF-100s.

16 Aug 60

Eight practice intercepts with CF-100s. ECM condition 1 from a/c working Loring AFB.

17 Aug 60

FPS-502, CPX-501 and 15J1D on annual maintenance. Synthetic exercise CPX 2/60 was held lasting for approximately five hours. Seven practice intercepts with F-101s on Boneyard 1.

19 Aug 60

STP exercise held. Seven intercepts with CF-100s.

22 Aug 60

STP exercise carried out.

23 Aug 60

Eleven practice intercepts with F-101s and six with CF-100s.

24 Aug 60

Seven practice intercepts with F-89Js. Strong interference on HF nets from Voice of America radio station. Special 19 (USSR IL 18) passed over this area. Emergency squawk in Halifax area caused concern until reason for distress signal was found to be faulty transmitter.

26 Aug 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. ECM condition 1 from Foyer 16 and 18.

28 Aug 60

FPS-502 overhaul completed by RCA. Not satisfactory. Will require an additional two days work.

29 Aug 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s. One unknown IDFR by Sector.

30 Aug 60

Five practice intercepts with CF-100s. ADR carried out a "ferret" mission against this unit.

31 Aug 60

STP exercise held. Six intercepts with F-89Js (evening) four (day); and twelve (afternoon). While under control by this unit one F-89J crew bailed out over the Bay of Fundy. Both crew members were rescued.

Summary 1 Aug 60 - 31 Aug 60

Tracks detected

6692

Unknowns

0

Intercepts (live)

368

Intercepts (synthetic)

163

Controlled Flights

10

STP Exercises

8

Live Exercises

1

1 Sep 60

Exercise "Sioux Chief" held. Nil participation on our part.

3 Sep 60

Eleven intercepts with CF-100s.

7 Sep 60

Remote control exercise with Chatham based CF-100s. One unknown IDFR by Boston.

8 Sep 60

Four practice intercepts with CF-100s.

10 Sep 60

Exercise "Sky Shield" held. Very little active participation from this unit.

11 Sep 60

One unknown IDFR by Boston.

12 Sep 60

STP exercise held. MAC Ops requested information regarding five USSR vessels in the Moisie area. These vessels have been in the Gulf for the past few days.

13 Sep 60

Live exercise carried out with F-101s.

14 Sep 60

Six practice intercepts with CF-100s.

15 Sep 60

STP exercise carried out. Ten practice intercepts with CF-100s and four with F-89Js.

19 Sep 60

STP exercise carried out. Fifteen intercepts with CF-100s. Aeroflot 42463 overflew this area on flight from Boston to Gander.

20 Sep 60

Remote control exercise with CF-100s.

21 Sep 60

Seven intercepts with CF-100s. STP exercise held. Operation "Round Robin" flight of TU104 overflew this area.

22 Sep 60

Fifteen intercepts with F101s and six intercepts with F-89Js.

23 Sep 60

ECM condition 1 from a/c working Bangor area.

25 Sep 60

One Piper a/c overdue - unable to contact. Landed safely at Halifax.

26 Sep 60

STP exercise held. Six practice intercepts with F-86s.

27 Sep 60

F-86s given surveillance over Chatham range.

28 Sep 60

ECM condition 1 from Cure 25. Boneyard 3 ran GCI run on this site. Nil interceptors.

Summary 1 Sep 60 - 30 Sep 60

Tracks detected

6405

Unknowns

Nil

Exercises (live)

2

STP

8

Intercepts (live)

142

Intercepts (synthetic)

219

1 Oct 60

STP exercise held.

4 Oct 60

Seventeen intercepts with CF-100s.

5 Oct 60

Six practice intercepts with F-101s.

6 Oct 60

Exercise Sioux Dance held. Very little participation from this unit.

7 Oct 60

STP exercise held. Seven intercepts with CF-100s.

10 Oct 60

KAA29K - identification procedure - now in effect.

11 Oct 60

STP exercise held.

13 Oct 60

24 intercepts with CF-100s and 25 with Banshees.

14 Oct 60

STP exercise carried out. Surveillance given F-86s over Chatham range.

15 Oct 60

STP exercise carried out.

17 Oct 60

STP exercise carried out.

18 Oct 60

Two MAs with CF-100s on Boneyard 1.

19 Oct 60

Fourteen intercepts with CF-100s and seven with Banshees. Jamming condition 1 from a/c working Bangor area.

20 Oct 60

G/C Houle visited this unit. Nine intercepts with Banshees.

21 Oct 60

ECM condition 1 from Foyer 18. FPS-502 off for maintenance for two hours. G/C Ashman visited this unit. Intercepts carried out with F-101s.

22 Oct 60

STP exercise carried out.

24 Oct 60

STP exercise carried out.

26 Oct 60

Team Scrimmage a/c overflew this area - surveillance only. ECM conditions 1 and 2 experienced from this flight.

27 Oct 60

STP exercise held.

28 Oct 60

Eight practice intercepts with CF-100s. Various conditions of ECM experienced from a/c working Bangor and Boston areas.

29 Oct 60

STP exercise held.

31 Oct 60

STP exercise held. Four intercepts with Banshees.

Summary 1 Oct 60 - 31 Oct 60

Tracks detected

5808

Unknowns

Nil

Exercises (synthetic)

12

Intercepts (live)

184

Intercepts (synthetic)

215

1 Nov 60

Six intercepts with Banshees.

2 Nov 60

Exercise Top Team held.

3 Nov 60

Six intercepts with CF-100s, also one remote control exercise held. ECM condition 1 from SAC a/c working Boston.

4 Nov 60

Four intercepts with Banshees and six with F-101s. STP exercise held GCI site run carried out.

5 Nov 60

STP exercise carried out.

7 Nov 60

STP exercise carried out. All a/c diverted to Greenwood because of accident on Chatham runway.

8 Nov 60

Unknown IDFR by Boston. ECM strength 1 from a/c working Loring area.

9 Nov 60

Remote control exercise with CF-100s. Intercepts held with CF-100s.

10 - 30 Nov 60

Detail for this time period is not available.