CFS Alert RCCS 1958
 

While rummaging through some old photos on a hard drive I came across a bunch of photos taken at CFS Alert in 1958. These are RCCS personnel. The three receivers are a Collins R-388A, Hammarlund SP600 and RCA AR88. the Collins and Hammarlund were fairly new at the time the photo was taken having been manufactured in early 1950s. The RCA was made in early 1940s but still a decent receiver.

The repairman appears to be a well trained Forces tradesman. :)

The crowbar is a nice touch.....and the smoke.

Must of been very lonely up there in 1958 !

For those not familiar with CFS Alert it is a Canadian Armed Forces (RCAF) sigint station in the Arctic. It is the northern most permanently inhabited place in the world. There were not many personnel at that time, maybe 50 - 60. I guess past times would be cross country skiing, curling or hockey. :)

Here are a few more photos:

My son did a tour in Alert and received his promotion to lieutenant there. Nobody had rank pips so they improvised with paper cutouts or something.

Here is a group photo. He's the tall guy 6th from the right. Of all his adventures he says the artic wolves were the strangest. They would hover behind you and if you so much as put down a screwdriver they would steal it before you knew it was gone.