For sometime now I have been pondering the idea of putting up a couple pages on Alert. I suppose my problem with it is that I don't wish to step on anyone's toes. There is already and extensive Alert site located on the "Online Oldtimers" website. However between 1960 and 1989 I endured 8 tours in Alert for a total of 36 months and I think that qualifies me to do this. I enjoyed the work and as far as I am concerned there is nothing more awe inspiring as that desert we know as the Canadian High Arctic. You haven't seen scenery until you have flown in the Arctic above the tree line. It is spectacular!
I say "endured", but I didn't. I never really had any problem with serving at Alert. My first 3 tours I worked as a morse code operator. The next two as a Processing and Reporting analyst. My 6th tour I was Shift Supervisor of Shift 1, (the Animals from the Animal House) and my last two tours were done as the Operations Chief. I suppose if there were any highlights it would be my last three tours.
In putting this site together, I hope to be able to show you what is was like from when the first building was constructed on the Military site in 1957 right through to the present (or almost present) day Alert. I hope to show you the progression from a rather scary place to the modern marvel that is today an engineering feat of Canadian expertise to say the least. All of the material on this site has been gathered from people who served there over the years. This site is dedicated to all who served in Alert and especially those who pioneered the Station.
