Map showing the DEW,Mid Cda and Pinetree Early Wng Radar Stns

Map showing DEW, Mid-Canada, and Pinetree warning lines.

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14 Responses to Map showing the DEW,Mid Cda and Pinetree Early Wng Radar Stns

  1. Tinyurl.com says:

    How long did it take you to post “Map showing the DEW,
    Mid Cda and Pinetree Early Wng Radar Stns | DEWLine Adventures”?
    It offers an awful lot of beneficial information and
    facts. With thanks ,Jay

    • Brian says:

      I’d like to take credit for making the map Jay but I can’t. And because I can’t remember where I lifted it from, I can’t give the proper accreditation.

  2. Jim savoy says:

    Were you working at any Pinetree sites, Mid canada sites, or any Dew Line sites ? if so please tell me at what sector were you at . I was at fox Sector and at mile 308 the mid canada line , in 1954 I was in the RCAF at Holberg B.C, Maybe we know each other .reply my email is jimasavoy@outlook.com or ph me in calgary 587 350 3911.

    • Brian says:

      Jim:
      Thanks for visiting my DEWLine website. I was never on the Pinetree or Mid-Canada Lines. I was on the DEWLine from 1960 to 1963 in Fox Sector and served time at all the Aux sites from CAM-4 to FOX-3 as well as at FOX-Main and two I-Sites, CAM-D and FOX-C.
      Brian

  3. Kurtis says:

    Awesome site, thanks for the info. Flew a twin otter into Cape Parry yesterday with some supplies. How many of these sites are still active?

    • Brian says:

      Kurtis:
      Thanks for visiting the DEWLine website and for your comment. In answer to your question, all of the Pinetree and Mid-CanadaLine sites are closed now and I’m not entirely sure of how many of the original DEWLine sites were converted to the North Warning System (NWS). Many of the NWS stations were either built close to or on the original DEWLine sites or nearby in a more suitable spot.
      Brian J.
      VE3UU

  4. l giroux says:

    I was maintenance mechanic on Breevort Island in 2011. What a great & unforgettable experience it was. I have been interested on the DEW & North Warning System ever since. Spend many hours reading all i can on the net. The history of this should be taught in our Canadian schools.

  5. Normand Belanger says:

    I was a Radar Tech at a number of the Pinetree Radar Sites, also NCO i/c of numerous radar and SAGE systems. As secondary duties, I was also i/c of Ground Training, Quality Control, NBCW Co-ordinator, member of numerous Ground Search and Rescue and Health and Safety Officer.

    I’ve tried to get information or documents indicating the materials used to build and insulate these Radar towers. Not only were the techs exposed to radiation from the klystron and the antenna but also crumbling asbestos to galore; it was in the building siding, the floor tiles, sealing the piping and dropping in clumps from the ceilings. Asbestos was also used for insulation in the married quarters, the h-huts barracks, the MIR, the mess hall, the roads and grounds departments, the maintenance departments and the gyms/recreation centers.

    Question: Where can I find such information about the use of asbestos at these radar sites?

    • Brian says:

      Normand:
      I have very little information pertaining to the Pinetree and Mid-Canada Lines.
      As far as I know most, if not all, of the Pinetree sites were closed down by 1998 and the assets all sold off. I don’t believe there were any remediation efforts made to either the building or the sites. Back then, asbestos, and other such material were not considered hazardous.
      In response to your question regarding asbestos at military sites, that answer lies with the Department of Defence and the Government. Good luck dealing with that lot!
      Keep in mind that I’m not military. I never served because of being deaf in one ear. The extent of my quasi-military service was to serve on the DEWLine for 3-years. You would have better luck contacting a DND historian (if such a thing exists).
      I’m sorry that I can’t be of more assistance to you.
      Brian Jeffrey

  6. Normand Belanger says:

    I big thing I remember about the Pinetree Radar Sites was the camaraderie between the sites.

    I don’t know if anybody remembers this, but when I went through the RCAF Clinton electronic school (for almost 1.5 years of equipment after equipment testing), in the entrance of the HQ Building there was a “Snitcher’s” trophy. It started with just a small piece of hockey stick with subsequent longer ones added every time it ended at a different radar site. The CO had it in a heavy plexiglass case, bolted to a large oak stand and with a lock on it.

    Question: Anybody knows where it went? Is it, and it should be, in one of our military museum?

    • Brian says:

      Normand:
      My interests are primarily the DEWLine which was non-military. Your question would be best answered by someone from DND or the History department at RMC. Sorry I can’t help and good luck with your quest.
      Brian Jeffrey

  7. Raymond Williams says:

    In 1979 I was working at the Fairbanks airport for Hawkins and Powers av. On a Sunday, I went to the boneyard and saw the remains of a huge “tractor” that pulled many trailers on huge rubber tires. I was told that it had been used to supply the DEW radar sites. I haven’t seen any pictures or even references to it anywhere. Do you know anything about this?

    • Brian says:

      Raymond:
      While I’m not familiar with that particular “tractor,” but there were large (very large!) tractors used to move equipment and supplies across the tundra during the construction days (1955-57). I have seen construction-time videos showing huge tractors dragging trains across the tundra. They would have all disappeared by the late 1950’s when they were no longer required and supplying to the various sits was done by sealift or airlift.
      There is very little known or documented about the construction days. I have gathered whatever I could find and put it on the website.
      I hope this helps answer your query.
      Brian J.

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