Holberg, BC

1 Jun 63

Change in unit role from Manual to Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) operation. The unit Working Establishment was reduced by a total of 48 personnel as a result of the change in method of operations.

A/V/M WA Orr, Air Member for Personnel, arrived at the unit for a one day visit on 3 Jun. A/V/M Orr arrived by Albatross from Vancouver at 1030 hours. The visit included a briefing by the CO, a tour of the domestic and operations sites, and a mixed reception in the Officer’s Mess preceding departure. A/V/M Orr also addressed the station service personnel during the visit.

Exercise "Right Cross".

AFTO 87 was signed for the AN/FST-2.

Exercise "Right Cross".

S/L Spiller, COpsO, was transferred to Syracuse Sector HQ, USA, and replaced by F/L CR Berry.

The Jun statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

3 Jul 63

AN/UPX-14 IFF interrogator-responder was accepted from Canadian General Electric. AFTO 88s were signed.

RCAF technicians replaced the AN/FST-2’s memory drums under the supervision of a Burroughs Business Machines Ltd. Representative.

AFTO 88s were signed for the partial installation of the GATR Site, which consisted of an AN/GKA-5 and two AN/FRT-49 installations for the transmission of data information, and seven UHF and two VHF installations for air to ground communications from Sector. The installation of the GATR Site equipment was completed on 26 Jun. System peaking and testing was completed 6 Aug. The installations of air to ground communication now consists of 22 UHF and one VHF channel. GATR then became fully SAGE operational.

Exercise "Bear Down".

On 26 Jul, 17634 W/C RL Fullerton handed over command of RCAF Station Holberg to 17921 W/C HF Wenz at a handing over and taking over ceremony and parade. W/C Wenz assumed command subsequent to completing the RCAF Staff College 1962/63 course. W/C Fullerton relinquished command on transfer to 4628 Support Squadron, 25^th NORAD Region, McChord AFB, USA.

Two day inspection visit by 27480 W/C AW Riddell, ADCHQ/SOCE.

The Jul statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

27 Aug 63

S/L JG Ultican, CGEO, transferred to AMCHQ/SO Avenonics and replaced by S/L LC Card.

The Aug statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

5 Sep 63

The AN/FPS-508A countermeasure control consoles were accepted.

General Grover C Brown, USAF, Commander Seattle NORAD Sector, and G/C RS Turnbull, RCAF, Deputy Commander, SENNDC, arrived at the unit for an inspection visit 6 Sep.

BUIC <ode III Operation held.

A parade consisting all available unit service personnel was held Sunday 15 Sep to commemorate the Battle of Britain Sunday. A special service was held in the station chapels.

A CE inspection was carried out by F/L LA Keading and F/O AF Haggart, staff officers from ADCHQ/SOCE.

Exercise "Right Cross". BUIC Mode III Operation held.

BUIC Mode III Operation held.

The Sep statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

2 Oct 63

The Annual SOPA inspection was performed by F/L GRO Wonnacott and F/O J Heffel, staff officers from ADCHQ/SOPA.

BUIC Mode III Operation held.

S/L EH McCaffrey and S/L FE Bell, ADCHQ/SOFSv, arrived for a two day inspection of unit messing facilities.

Exercise "Right Cross".

Three day BUIC Mode I manual operation conducted.

During the early hours of the morning, lightning struck the radome of tower #1 at the Operations Site, causing the following damage:

1. six radome panels damaged.
2. Main power cable burned out
3. Filter assembly on IFF antenna damaged
4. Many components were rendered unserviceable as a result of the lightning strike.

The lightning also disabled a main transformer supplying power to the FST-2. Manual operation was effected by jumping power wires to another transformer to supply power to the search radar proper. The replacement of the damaged transformer was effected within six days at which time the DMCC and FST-2 SAGE operation was resumed.

Extremely high winds carried away one of the panels on tower #1 which had been damaged by lightning. Emergency repairs were made by the CE Section using plywood sheets to replace the missing panel.

A two day staff visit was conducted by S/L WR Palmer and S/L WD Gordon, both from ADCHQ/SOPA. S/L Palmer inspected the unit recreation facilities and reviewed the sports and recreation program. S/L Gordon conducted a check of administrative procedures as they apply to the legal aspect of personnel administration. S/L Gordon also addressed officers, warrant officers, and senior NCO’s of the unit on correct legal procedures when dealing with charges.

The Oct statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

1 Nov 63

British Columbia Telephone Company assumed the responsibility for customer-owned equipment inside and outside telephone plants.

BUIC Mode III exercise held.

A Remembrance Day parade was held on Monday, 11 Nov, with all available service personnel participating. Department of National Defence civilian employees were invited to participate and comprised one flight. Religious services were held in the chapels.

BUIC Mode III exercise held.

Exercise "Sneaky Pierre" carried out.

BUIC Mode III exercise and transition.

G/C JP Davignon DRA (RC) and W/C R Poirier, ADCHQ/SORA (RC), arrived at the unit for a two day visit.

The Nov statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows:

During the month of November, over 33 inches of rain was recorded. The CE Section was required to concentrate on road repairs as a result of minor washouts and slides.

Mode III Operation carried out. W/C JN Bracher, ADCHQ/SORA (P), arrived at the unit for a two day staff visit. During the visit W/C Bracher performed seven baptisms.

A/C C Hull, ADCHQ Chief of Staff, visited Station Holberg on 9 Dec. The itinerary included a visit to the Operations Site including GATR, Manual Operations, T-2, DMCC, and the Radar Section; the Domestic Site tour included luncheon in the Officer'’ Mess, a visit to the Recreation Centre, and a tour of the PMQ area.

Exercise "Desk Top VI".

Seventy-one Indian children plus several staff members of the St. Michael’s School, Alert Bay, were entertained on the station. This project was sponsored by the Airmen’s Institute.

The Dec statistical report from the Medical Section was as follows: