NRS Aldergrove
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Naval Radio Section Aldergrove is the Canadian Navy's primary communications relay site for the Pacific fleet. It is located 59 kilometers east of Vancouver, British Columbia and comprises two communications sites which work together; Aldergrove being the receiving site, and Matsqui which is the transmitting site. The Aldergrove receiving site comprises of 1220 acres. About 440 acres are used by staff and antenna field, while the remainder is used as an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) buffer zone from local development. The Matsqui transmitting site comprises 230 acres located 28 km to the northeast. Currently, Aldergrove and Matsqui are staffed with 1 operator and between 15 to 17 techs, with a CPO2 Tech in charge.
Formerly, NRS Aldergrove held the traditional naval designation of "Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Aldergrove" from 1956-1967, and "Canadian Forces Station Aldergrove" from 1967-1996. Downsizing and automation in the mid-1990s led to the facility becoming an attachment of CFB Esquimalt, rather than an independent Canadian Forces Station.
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[edit] History
In December 1942 the Royal Canadian Navy established a wireless telegraph broadcast station in Matsqui, British Columbia. The following November, a wireless telegraph receiver station was established near the town of Aldergrove. It served to meet the regional needs during the Second World war. Following the war, it had staffing levels reduced.
In the early 1950s, as the Korean War erupted in Asia, HMCS Aldergrove experienced growth common to many North American military bases during the Cold War. With the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1967, the station designation was changed to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Aldergrove. By now the station was providing ship/shore and air/ground communications for Canadian and Allied armed forces on the Pacific coast.
From 1975 to 1978, CFS Aldergrove once again underwent major building and upgrading programmes to meet the operational and support needs of the fleet. This included the addition of a microwave radio relay tower, providing over the horizon communications. The station was again upgraded in the mid 1990's replacing older, maintenance-intensive equipment with modern and more reliable electronics.
Extensive cutbacks to the defence budget during the post-Cold War era of the early 1990's resulted in CFS Aldergrove being placed under remote control and came under the command of CFB Esquimalt. The transmitter and receiver sites became operated by a Remote Control and Monitoring System (RCMS). This resulted in staff reductions from 130+ personnel to about 20. Current staffing consists of a core of technicians who perform routine maintenance and repair equipment failures. For fault tolerance and backup, CFB Esquimalt can operate the receiver and transmitter sites at Mill Cove and Newport Corner (in Nova Scotia) respectively. CFB Halifax can also operate the receivers and transmitters at Aldergrove and Matsqui.
Between 1996 an 2006, several buildings on the station were dismantled, including the single quarters, the stations water tower, and the junior ranks club. Since the downsizing, the site has been plagued by crime on its property, and has had several security breaches.
[edit] Primary Reserve and Cadets
NRS Aldergrove is home to several Primary Reserve and Cadet units:
- B Troop, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
- B Company, The Royal Westminster Regiment
- 746 "Lightning Hawks" Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets
- Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Columbia
- 1922nd Corps, Royal Canadian Army Cadets
- Navy League Cadet Corps Columbia
[edit] Commanding Officers of Aldergrove
- Lt Riddell, R.M. 1 Dec 42 - 14 Dec 45 Deceased
- Lt Blackmore, DSK 14 Dec 45 - 2 Mar 47 Deceased
- C.O. Hibbert, W 3 Mar 47 - 1 Jan 49 Deceased
- Lt Hall, J.S. 2 Jan 49 - 22 Feb 51 Deceased
- Lt Waters, WH 23 Feb 51 - 24 Feb 52 Deceased
- Lt Cupples, A.M 25 Feb 52 - 22 Jul 52
- Lt Waters, WH 23 Jul 52 - 30 May 55 Deceased
- LCdr Stewart, J.R.K. 31 May 55 - 26 Oct 58 Deceased
- LCdr Pearce, G.D. 27 Oct 58 - 3 Nov 60
- LCdr Machan, S.G 4 Nov 60 - 28 May 63
- Lt Siddons, J.N. 29 May 63 - 25 Jul 65
- LCdr Ellerton, J.H. 26 Jul 65 - 11 Nov 69 Deceased
- LCdr Henderson, W.D 12 Jul 69 - 18 Sep 72 Deceased
- LCdr Dykes, R.M. 19 Sep 72 - 14 May 74
- LCdr Hall, W.H. 15 May 74 - 9 Sep 76
- LCdr Cameron, M.D. 10 Sep 76 - 19 Jun 79
- LCdr Johnston, P.L. 11 Sep 79 - 26 Jul 81
- LCdr Poole, W.J. 27 Jul 81 - 11 Jul 84
- LCdr Stanley, M.E. 11 Jul 84 - 22 Jul 88
- LCdr Van Ek, O. 22 Jul 88 - 26 Jul 91
- LCdr Wolfe, T 26 Jul 91 - 22 Jul 94
- Lt Munro, D.J. 22 Jul 94 - 26 Aug 94
- LCdr Darlington, C.A.H. * 27 Aug 94 - 31 Mar 96
- LCdr Duke, Peter.S.
- Lt(N) Hansen, Jeff
Note: LCdr Darlington was the last C.O. of CFS Aldergrove before it was downgraded to a detachment of CFB Esquimalt. On 31 March 1996, Aldergrove was disbanded and ceased being a Canadian Forces Station, instead being referred to as Naval Radio Section Aldergrove.
[edit] The Crest of NRS Aldergrove
Blazon: Barry wavy of ten Argent and Azure, a Caduceus from the head of which issue three forks of lightning pointing to the dexter, centre and sinister chief respectively, Or, between the alder leaves conjoined on one stem Gules.
Significance: The Caduceus is the attribute of Hermes of Greek mythology, who was the messenger or herald of the gods. It is used here as a symbol of one who carries, sends or receives messages. The fact that these particular messages are transmitted by means of radio is indicated by the three flashes of lightning that shoot out from the head of the Caduceus.
The name Aldergrove is referred to by displaying a sprig of two alder leaves; these are shown red because the particular kind of red alder that grows in the area where this station is located.
Ship's Colours: White and Red
Motto: Loud and Clear
