CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT

IM Wired to the Web CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT Special Edition - [September 2008] CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT Special Edition Welcome to the 2008 special edition tours of CFS Leitrim, presentations of A brunch and closing ceremony of IM Wired to the Web marking the Special Service Medal to the early were held on 14 September. recent events to celebrate pioneers, the unveiling of a plaque Canadian Forces Station Alert – comm emorating the occasion, Congratulations to the "Frozen Chosen" 50 years of signals intelligence. displays of many artefacts from on this golden anniversary! Alert, and an evening gathering. Events were held on 4 September 2008 at Canadian Forces Station Alert and from 12 to 14 September 2008 at the main operational link for the Station, CFS Leitrim. These events recognized Canadian Forces personnel who have served in Alert as well as the aircrews, and construction and engineering teams who supported those in Alert. Ceremonies at CFS Alert provided some pioneers who were stationed there in the 1950s and beyond, the opportunity to reconnect to a memo - rable past. A commemorative plaque was unveiled, a mess dinner was held and the Amateur Radio Club, which had been dormant for 10 years, was reactivated to briefly reconnect with the worldwide amateur radio commu - nity. At CFS Leitrim, there was a meet and greet on 12 September. Activities for 13 September consisted of Photo: Cpl Angela Abbey, Combat Camera Did You Know? Alert Crest The black and yellow background of the Alert crest signifies the two conditions of twenty-four hours of darkness and daylight, which prevail in the Arctic. The muskox, a hardy animal who lives and survives despite the many hardships of the icy, barren and forbidding wastes of the Arctic, is suitably symbolic of those who man this northern station. The motto, “INUIT NUNANGATA UNGATA – Beyond the Inuit land,” is significant because no Inuit have been known to go and live as far north as Alert, except DND or other Federal employees. Name Canadian Forces Station Alert was not actually known by this name until 1966. Up until this point, it was known as Alert Wireless Station. Page 2 CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT IM Wired to the Web Of course, none of this would have been possible without the assistance Message from and support of many others, particu - larly the following members of the the DGIMO organizing committee: • CWO Bob Schofield (2 EW (Electronic Warfare) Sqn This month, events took place to some of those in attendance have Kingston (HAM - Amateur Radio) celebrate 50 years of signals intelli - not have seen each other for as long • Mr. Ken Halcrow gence (SIGINT) at Canadian Forces as 50 years, the camaraderie dis - (HAM - Amateur Radio) Station (CFS) Alert. Over the past played at these celebrations is a • Mr. Wayne Moore 50 years, the “Frozen Chosen” have testament to the bonds that exist (SRS (Supplementary worked tirelessly at the top of the between those with a connection Radio Systems) Old Timers) world. I had the distinct pleasure of to Alert. • Mr. Lynn Wartman accompanying some of the “Frozen (SRS (Supplementary Chosen” to Alert and to recognize The success of these events was the Radio Systems) Old Timers) their contributions over the years, as result of the many individuals who • Mr. Jim Humes well as attending the ceremonies at both attended and contributed to the (SRS (Supplementary CFS Leitrim. celebrations. Your presence and par - Radio Systems) Old Timers) ticipation were essential and were • Mr. George Stewart Those who have served at and ultimately what these events were (COS (IM) - Alert flights) supported CFS Alert have played a all about. • Mr. Peter Cork significant role in Canada’s history, (CSEC (Communications Security and the Station continues to be a At this time, I would also like to draw Establishment Canada site of great importance today. attention to the contributions of the (formerly CSE)) Both the events at CFS Alert and at lead organizers: Capt Tom Jenkins, • Mr. Rick Gallant (Leitrim Mess) CFS Leitrim were truly fitting tributes Capt Brian Kebic and CP01 Neil • Ms. Louise Marin to those who have served and sup - O’Hare. In addition to organizing the (Communications and ported the Station over the past events, these individuals took the Public Affairs Officer) 50 years. These events have not time to ensure that special details, only drawn attention to and celebrat - such as artefacts, calendars, photo To all those who participated ed these individuals’ tremendous books, and a commemorative coin and assisted in the event, thank you contributions on behalf of Canadians, would help mark this important occa - for your contribution to a truly they have also provided a wonderful sion. Their outstanding efforts have remarkable series of events. opportunity for old friends and col - produced an event that will be leagues to reconnect and reminisce remembered fondly by all those BGen Jim Ferron about their time at Alert. Although in attendance. IM Wired to the Web CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT Page 3 Minister of National Defence while they visited CFS Alert in late August in recognition of this important Message anniversary. They were provided with a preview of a plaque that would be from the COS(IM) unveiled at the official ceremony at CFS Alert in September in recogni - tion of the men and women who have served at the Station. This September, celebrations marking operational/signals intelligence role. 50 years of signals intelligence Today, SIGINT collection continues to Those who attended the CFS Alert (SIGINT) at CFS Alert took place at be the primary mission of this isolated or the CFS Leitrim ceremonies widely CFS Alert and at CFS Leitrim. In the Station. In addition to its primary mis - agreed that it was a great honour to context of signals intelligence, the sion, our presence at CFS Alert also be there and to stand among serving past 50 years have been a period of allows for the support of exploration, and former military members and significant achievement and prog- research, other government depart - civilians who had been deployed to ress. During this time, those who ments (e.g. Environment Canada), the Station. I was very pleased to have served and supported the and other military patrols. attend the activities in Leitrim where Station have always worked far from hundreds who had served in Alert the spotlight, but these events allow I would like to personally recognize gathered to salute the golden anniv- them to receive some of the recogni - the sacrifices of the individuals who ersary of Canada’s SIGINT presence tion that they deserve. worked at CFS Alert in the early in Alert. days, before the widespread use of Under the leadership of Prime the Internet. In those days, CFS Alert As the CF J6, I am proud of the Minister John Diefenbaker, Canada was an even more remote posting success of CFS Alert’s mission. recognized the strategic importance than it is today. Most of the sig - This success is due to the efforts of CFS Alert’s northern location, and nallers who served at the Station of all the men and women who have the site expanded its role to make were posted there multiple times. worked in and supported this isolated SIGINT its first priority. Today, CFS Whether they provided support to area of the world. Their contribution Alert reports through CFIOG to the Station or were directly engaged is recognized by Canada and our ADM(IM). The Station continues to in SIGINT work, the communications allies. To all those who served and to play an important role in Canadian researchers and all those who have those of you currently at the Station, defence and security. It continues to served at CFS Alert contributed to I wish to express my sincerest act as a key Government of Canada the Station’s support to Canada’s thanks and congratulate you on strategic presence and investment strategic role with respect to our marking 50 years of SIGINT at supporting CSEC, CDI, our Allies and allies over the course of the past CFS Alert. other departments and agencies. five decades. BRAVO ZULU! Over the years, technological In anticipation of the September cele - advances led to the reduction in the brations, I had the pleasure of joining MGen A.G. Hines number of personnel required for the the Chief of Defence Staff and the Photo: Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency travelled to Alert, Canada's most northern community, accompanied by Member of Parliament, Mr. Steven Fletcher to recognize the CFS Alert - 50 Years of SIGINT. Page 4 CFS Alert – 50 Years of SIGINT IM Wired to the Web The Lifeline to CFS Alert Speak to anyone who has served at Canadian Forces On behalf of all of the “Frozen Chosen” a heartfelt “thank Station (CFS) Alert and they will no doubt tell you about you” to all of the members of the aircrews who supplied the adventurous and long journey it takes to get there. Alert throughout the years. You made it possible for all of us to stand guard on top of the world. Aircraft have been, and still are, the lifeline of personnel at CFS Alert. In addition to being the only means of trans - Following are some stories that highlight how integral air - portation, aircraft bring all required supplies to Alert. craft are and have been to life at Alert. The stories that Before advances in technology, they were also the only follow are all part of Alert’s history, and part of the cher - contact with home by means of written letters delivered ished memories of the people who have served there.

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