CFS Falconbridge

Pearl Harbour clearly demonstrated the ability of enemy bombers to cross enemy lines and drop bombs on crucial targets. To shoot down such enemy planes, ground based guns and aircraft were used. The problem with aircraft interception was that the enemy planes had to be detected in time to launch intercepting aircraft before the enemy planes dropped their bombs.

On May 29, 1951 the Pinetree Planning Office (PPO) was established to establish long range aircraft warning. It was estimated that by 1954, the USSR would have the capability to send long range bombers. One such radar base which would provide enemy aircraft warning was built in Falconbridge. For more information, visit WWW.Pinetreeline.Org and Larry Wilson(a)s Page. The bases were constructed on what was called the pinetree line, presumably named for the terrain.

On August 15, 1952 the Falconbridge base began operations. It contained a chapel, mess hall, operations center, headquarters building, fire hall and even had a ski hill. It is interesting to note that not much has changed between my pictures and the 1999 pictures that Bob Agar took.

Location: Along Radar Road (appropriately named). Take the highway (# 85) from Sudbury out to Garson/Falconbridge and turn left at the sign to Skead/Coniston/Hanmer. This is Radar Road. Radar Rd. can also be reached by heading from the opposite direction, coming in from Val Caron. Do not turn into Skead/Airport Rd. but continue on down the highway. You will see a Pinegrove Trailer Sales on the left, this is the way in. Note: The only way in is through the gate at Pinegrove.

The station(a)s operational call sign was ""Tomboy"".

There is an entire host of pictures and information about CFS Falconbridge and her sister ""Treeline"" radar stations.

Link.

NOTE: The operations building, and towers, once located on the top of the hill have been torn down as of June 2007.