NRS Aldergrove
Encyclopedia
Naval Radio Section Aldergrove, or NRS Aldergrove, is a Canadian Forces
naval radio communications facility located in both Aldergrove
and Matsqui, British Columbia
.
NRS Aldergrove is Maritime Command's
primary communications relay site for Maritime Forces Pacific
. The Aldergove receiving site is located 59 kilometers east of Vancouver, British Columbia in the community of Aldergrove whereas the Matsqui transmitter site is located 28 kilometres northeast of Aldergrove.
The Aldergrove receiving site comprises 1220 acres (4.9 km²) while Matsqui comprises 230 acre (0.9307778 km²). About 440 acres (1.8 km²) of the Aldergrove site are used for the antenna field, while the remainder is used as an Electromagnetic interference
(EMI) buffer zone from local development. Currently, Aldergrove and Matsqui are staffed with 1 operator and between 15 to 17 technicians.
NRS Aldergrove held the traditional naval designation of HMCS Aldergrove from 1956–1967 and Canadian Forces Station Aldergrove (or CFS 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.
established a wireless telegraph broadcast station in Matsqui, British Columbia. The following November, a wireless telegraph receiver station was established in Aldergrove, British Columbia
. These stations served to meet the regional needs of the RCN during World War II. Staffing levels were reduced following the war.
In the 1950s, as the Korean War
erupted in Asia, HMCS Aldergrove experienced growth common to many North American military bases during the early years of the Cold War
. With the unification of the Canadian Forces
in 1967, the station designation was changed to CFS Aldergrove. By now, the station was providing ship/shore and air/ground communications for Canadian and Allied military 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 1990s 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 1990s 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 NRS Mill Cove and NRS Newport Corner
(in Nova Scotia
) respectively. CFB Halifax
can also operate the receivers and transmitters at Aldergrove and Matsqui.
Between 1996 and 2006, several buildings on the station were dismantled, including the single quarters, the station's water tower, and the junior ranks mess. Since the downsizing, the site has been plagued by crime on its property, and has had several security breaches.
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 [Canadian Navy web site (http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/images/marpac_images_e.asp?section=5&category=4&page=1) still calls it Naval Radio Station].
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 indicated by a sprig of two alder leaves; these are shown red because there is a subspecies of red alder common in the area where the base is located.
Ship's Colours: White and Red
Motto: Loud and Clear
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
naval radio communications facility located in both Aldergrove
Aldergrove, British Columbia
Aldergrove is a small town within the jurisdiction of the The Township of Langley, a municipality within Greater Vancouver. Located at the southeastern edge of both Langley and Greater Vancouver, and nearby to the metropolitan area of Abbotsford, British Columbia just east, Aldergrove has a...
and Matsqui, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
NRS Aldergrove is Maritime Command's
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
primary communications relay site for Maritime Forces Pacific
Maritime Forces Pacific
In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Pacific is responsible for the fleet and operations of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Pacific Ocean...
. The Aldergove receiving site is located 59 kilometers east of Vancouver, British Columbia in the community of Aldergrove whereas the Matsqui transmitter site is located 28 kilometres northeast of Aldergrove.
The Aldergrove receiving site comprises 1220 acres (4.9 km²) while Matsqui comprises 230 acre (0.9307778 km²). About 440 acres (1.8 km²) of the Aldergrove site are used for the antenna field, while the remainder is used as an Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference is disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the circuit...
(EMI) buffer zone from local development. Currently, Aldergrove and Matsqui are staffed with 1 operator and between 15 to 17 technicians.
NRS Aldergrove held the traditional naval designation of HMCS Aldergrove from 1956–1967 and Canadian Forces Station Aldergrove (or CFS Aldergrove) from 1967–1996. Downsizing and automation in the mid-1990s led to the facility becoming an attachment of CFB Esquimalt
CFB Esquimalt
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is Canada's Pacific Coast naval base and home port to Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific Headquarters....
, rather than an independent Canadian Forces Station.
History
In December 1942, the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
established a wireless telegraph broadcast station in Matsqui, British Columbia. The following November, a wireless telegraph receiver station was established in Aldergrove, British Columbia
Aldergrove, British Columbia
Aldergrove is a small town within the jurisdiction of the The Township of Langley, a municipality within Greater Vancouver. Located at the southeastern edge of both Langley and Greater Vancouver, and nearby to the metropolitan area of Abbotsford, British Columbia just east, Aldergrove has a...
. These stations served to meet the regional needs of the RCN during World War II. Staffing levels were reduced following the war.
In the 1950s, as the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
erupted in Asia, HMCS Aldergrove experienced growth common to many North American military bases during the early years of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. With the unification of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
in 1967, the station designation was changed to CFS Aldergrove. By now, the station was providing ship/shore and air/ground communications for Canadian and Allied military 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 1990s replacing older, maintenance-intensive equipment with modern and more reliable electronics.
Extensive cutbacks to the defence budget during the post-Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
era of the early 1990s 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
CFB Esquimalt
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is Canada's Pacific Coast naval base and home port to Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific Headquarters....
can operate the receiver and transmitter sites at NRS Mill Cove and NRS Newport Corner
NRS Newport Corner
Naval Radio Section Newport Corner is a Canadian Forces naval radio station located in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia.-History:NRS Newport Corner was established by the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 in the St...
(in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
) respectively. CFB Halifax
CFB Halifax
Canadian Forces Base Halifax is Canada's east coast navy base and home port to the Atlantic fleet, known as Maritime Forces Atlantic....
can also operate the receivers and transmitters at Aldergrove and Matsqui.
Between 1996 and 2006, several buildings on the station were dismantled, including the single quarters, the station's water tower, and the junior ranks mess. Since the downsizing, the site has been plagued by crime on its property, and has had several security breaches.
Primary Reserve and Cadets
NRS Aldergrove is home to several Primary Reserve and Cadet units:- B Troop, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA15th Field Regiment, RCA is a Primary Reserve Royal Canadian Artillery regiment based in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Bessborough Armoury. 15th Field Regiment is part of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group of Land Force Western Area....
- B Company, The Royal Westminster RegimentThe Royal Westminster RegimentThe Royal Westminster Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. It is based in New Westminster, British Columbia at The Armouries, located at the corner of 6th and Queens....
- 746 "Lightning Hawk" Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
- 169 COLUMBIA Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps
- 1922 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, "Royal Westminster Regiment"
- Navy League Cadet Corps 125"COLUMBIA"
Commanding Officers of Aldergrove
- Lt Riddell, R.M. 1 December 1942 – 14 December 1945 Deceased
- Lt Blackmore, DSK 14 December 1945 – 2 March 1947 Deceased
- C.O. Hibbert, W 3 March 1947 – 1 January 1949 Deceased
- Lt Hall, J.S. 2 January 1949 – 22 February 1951 Deceased
- Lt Waters, WH 23 February 1951 – 24 February 1952 Deceased
- Lt Cupples, A.M 25 February 1952 – 22 July 1952
- Lt Waters, WH 23 July 1952 – 30 May 1955 Deceased
- LCdr Stewart, J.R.K. 31 May 1955 – 26 October 1958 Deceased
- LCdr Pearce, G.D. 27 October 1958 – 3 November 1960
- LCdr Machan, S.G 4 November 1960 – 28 May 1963
- Lt Siddons, J.N. 29 May 1963 – 25 July 1965
- LCdr Ellerton, J.H. 26 July 1965 – 11 November 1969 Deceased
- LCdr Henderson, W.D 12 July 1969 – 18 September 1972 Deceased
- LCdr Dykes, R.M. 19 September 1972 – 14 May 1974
- LCdr Hall, W.H. 15 May 1974 – 9 September 1976
- LCdr Cameron, M.D. 10 September 1976 – 19 June 1979
- LCdr Johnston, P.L. 11 September 1979 – 26 July 1981
- LCdr Poole, W.J. 27 July 1981 – 11 July 1984
- LCdr Stanley, M.E. 11 July 1984 – 22 July 1988
- LCdr Van Ek, O. 22 July 1988 – 26 July 1991
- LCdr Wolfe, T 26 July 1991 – 22 July 1994
- Lt Munro, D.J. 22 July 1994 – 26 August 1994
- LCdr Darlington, C.A.H. * 27 August 1994 – 31 March 1996
- 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 [Canadian Navy web site (http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/images/marpac_images_e.asp?section=5&category=4&page=1) still calls it Naval Radio Station].
The Crest of NRS Aldergrove
Blazon: Barry wavy of ten Argent and Azure, a CaduceusCaduceus
The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. The same staff was also borne by heralds in general, for example by Iris, the messenger of Hera. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings...
from the head of which issue three forks of lightning pointing to the dexter, centre and sinister chief respectively, Or, between the alder
Alder
Alder is the common name of a genus of flowering plants belonging to the birch family . The genus comprises about 30 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, few reaching large size, distributed throughout the North Temperate Zone and in the Americas along the Andes southwards to...
leaves conjoined on one stem Gules.
Significance: The Caduceus is the attribute of Hermes
Hermes
Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology and a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was born on Mount Kyllini in Arcadia. An Olympian god, he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and...
of Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, 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 indicated by a sprig of two alder leaves; these are shown red because there is a subspecies of red alder common in the area where the base is located.
Ship's Colours: White and Red
Motto: Loud and Clear