1961 - Red Cliff - What, Where, When, Why?
Initial construction of the Red Cliff radar station started
in 1951 on a hill located approximately five miles northeast of
Pepperrell AFB (St. Johns, Newfoundland). The location selected for
the radar station had once served as a coastal artillery site during
World War II. The only remaining part of the World War II coast
artillery site at Red Cliff was a single gun placement where the
CPS-5 antenna tower was located for the original 108th AC&W Squadron
lash-up site. Robert Wilder (cross reference to the St. John's (Red
Cliff) photo section) was there for the original construction and
operation of both the original CPS-5 and for the CPS-6B "new" site
which was further up the hill. When the CPS-5 site was in operation
the communications site was behind what was to become the Tech
Supply building all the way on top of the hill. Personnel made use
of an all fabric "Jameway shelter" with plywood floors for the radio
and microwave site.
Since the Red Cliff radar station was to be a part of the North
East Air Command (NEAC) this unit was financed by the Americans and
the station was originally manned by the 108th AC&W Squadron which
arrived in Pepperrell AFB in August 1952. Red Cliff was intended to
serve as an Air Defence Direction Centre (ADDC). The 108th installed
the initial radar equipment the AN/CPS-5 Search radar and the
AN/TPS-1D search radar. The 108th was re-designated as the
642nd AC&W Squadron on August 1st 1953 and the 642nd became
operational in June, 1954 making use of the CPS-6B search radar at
that time.
As was the case with other Pinetree Line radar stations in
Newfoundland and Labrador, the station was supposed to be a
self-contained, self-supporting unit that would operate on a
continuous basis. The station was somewhat limited to its acreage
since it was located on top of a hill. Because of its open location
and the proximity to water, the station was subject to severe winds,
snow accumulations and extremely low temperatures. The structures
included barracks, shops, warehouses, dining halls, recreational
areas as well as the operations centre.
Radar operators in the AC&W Squadron tracked the movements of
aircraft sighted and passed speed, height and direction information
to a Direction Centre (DC) and fighter interceptor squadrons.
Fighter aircraft could be airborne in minutes after an alarm was
given, and they closed in on unidentified planes by means of
direction provided by the radar operators. Another of the Red Cliff
functions was furnishing navigational aid to friendly aircraft
operating in the area. Their detection of May-Day calls contributed
to quick search and rescue efforts.
It was subsequently determined that there was inadequate radar
coverage between Red Cliff and St. Anthony. To increase low altitude
coverage, and to provide some degree of back-up to the main Pinetree
Line radar stations, approval was obtained in 1955 for the
construction of some small light-weight radar stations making use of
the AN/FPS-14 radar equipment. These smaller AC&W units were to be
known as gap fillers. A gap filler, reporting to Red Cliff, was
constructed at Elliston Ridge (Bonavista Bay). This unit was known
as Det. #1 642 AC&W Squadron and was identified as site number
N-22B. This unit became operational at the end of April 1957 and it
was closed in 1960. The gap filler at Elliston Ridge was somewhat
larger than other gap fillers since its mission included additional
functions.
The Red Cliff AC&W operation was similar to other sites except
that more functional responsibility was given to the station because
of its close proximity to the NEAC (and, in 1960, the 64th Air
Division) headquarters at Pepperrell AFB. At the time that Red Cliff
was phased out in October 1961 there were 140 military and 106
civilians at this location.
When the Red Cliff AC&W station closed, the US Navy at Argentia
reconstructed and equipped one large building as an unmanned Radio
Communications Centre. While this was an elaborate operation, its
usefulness was short lived when more sophisticated radio equipment
came into use with long-range capabilities.
Apart from the specialized radar and radio equipment, all the
assets, including the buildings and their contents, were turned over
to Crown Assets for disposal. Only shells of buildings remain at Red
Cliff.
Source: Pinetree Line Website
Written by: Ren L'Ecuyer and
Robert Wilder
Courtesy of: Margaret L'Ecuyer and Robert Wilder:
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