NORAD Pinetree Stephenville Photos

---

Some family picture albums have been lost so I was looking for old photos of Stephenville, NL on the WWW. Google pointed to photos at this site www.c-and-e-museum.org/Pinetreeline/Photos/. The top-level domain redirects to the Military Communications And Electronics Museum which does not yet have the Stephenville 1959 photos. I got permission from the museum facebook page to use them.

Most of the photos are about the military site on "table-top" mountain usually called Pinetree. There were many PinetreeLine sites with big dish antennas for communications and RADAR. Powerful snowstorms sometimes ripped the roofs off buildings since there was nothing to break the wind on the mountaintop.

The Pinetree site was operated by 640 AC&W Squadron which was associated with Harmon Air Force Base. A drive to the mountain from Harmon passed through Stephenville, Kippens, and Port-au-Port so pictures of the route are included.

There are photos of the British Queen Elizabeth visiting Stephenville, NL in 1959. I vaguely remember that event since I was just a kid and it was idle curiosity for me.

---

I worked at other NORAD sites as a contractor:-

• 1982 Tyndall AFB, Florida
• 1983 Griffiss AFB Rome, N.Y. (now a civilian airport)
• 1984 March AFB, Riverside, California (now March Air Reserve Base )

I was there to install computerized operator displays for the Joint Surveillance System (JSS). The displays were made in Canada, the computers were made in California. 

---

New airport terminal at Harmon Field
- December 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

The bridge from Stephenville to the 640th AC-W Squadron
- December 1959
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti

Kippens - The road from Stephenville to the 640th site (up the hill)
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

CPS-6B radome after a snow storm
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

TPS-502 radome
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Bulldozer in action after a snow storm
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

George McCormack at the controls during snow removal
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

HF antennas 243
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Pole Vault troposcatter antenna
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Polevault 60 foot parabolic communications antennas
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

60 foot paraboloids of Pole Vault Troposcatter communications system
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

USAF personnel in a jeep during the winter months
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Peter Hancock at work
- October 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Peter Hancock at the Receiver Site with SP-600
receivers and RTTY units
- October 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Road back down the hill
- October 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Transmitter Site
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Receiver Site
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Canadian Marconi TH-41 HF transmitter equipment
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Transmitter site
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

A2C Jones in the Transmitter Site
- August 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

C-130 Hercules landing at Harmon Field
- August 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

This was a new building at Harmon AFB. It would
eventually become known as the "Harmon Hilton"
- August 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Unidentified airman waiting for a flight out of
Newfoundland. Note the cigarettes which were selling for $1.00 a
carton at that time
- August 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Replacing the CPS-6B radome
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Sunset taken from "B" barracks looking over "A"
barracks after the wind damage of 13th March
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Sunset taken from "B" barracks looking over "A"
barracks after the wind damage of 13th March
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View from "B" barracks. Note the tar wagon in
the foreground used for repairs on "A" barracks after the wind damage
of 13th March
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Climbing the tower for some picture taking
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View from the tower towards Harmon AFB and
Stephenville
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View from the tower towards Harmon AFB and
Stephenville
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View from the tower towards Harmon AFB and Stephenville
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Radar site as seen from the tower. Note the 2nd
floor of "A" barracks is missing
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Radar site as seen from the tower. Note the 2nd
floor of "A" barracks is missing
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Closer view of the previous photo
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View from the tower looking west
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Stan Nuehaus in work fatigues on an outside detail
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

CPS-6B search radar in the middle flanked by
TPS-502 and FPS-502 radomes
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Side view of Operations Building
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Water tower and power plant
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Transmitter site (located at West Bay)
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

BOQ (Officers Quarters) and Operations site
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Main gate and entrance to 640th AC&W
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Welcome sign at main gate
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

"B" barracks (left) "A" barracks (right) with radomes in background
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

640 AC&W Squadron area
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

General view of the 640th AC&W Squadron
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Transmitter site
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Work detail in local area
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Stan Neuhaus - 640th AC&W
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Radomes
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Radomes
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Entrance to Operations area
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

"B" barracks with radome in background
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

"B" barracks
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

"A" barracks - May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Stan Neuhaus smoking a cigar on stairs of "A" barracks
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Orderly Room - US and Canadian flags
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Orderly Room - US and Canadian flags
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

NCO Club - Home of nickle, dime and free night & slot machines
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Stan Neuhaus in "A" barracks
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Unidentified buildings in the domestic site area
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

General view of the squadron area
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

View from a radar tower towards Stephenville
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

US military truck that made runs to Harmon AFB
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Another sunrise as seen from the site
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

(L-R) Cloutier, unknown hamming it up in barracks
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

USAF helicopter visits the squadron
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Wind damage to barracks
- Friday 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Wind damage to barracks
- Friday 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Wind damage to barracks
- Friday 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Storm blows roof off of barracks. This took
place during the day during a storm, with the midnight crew inside
- Friday the 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

The remains of "A" barracks after the big blow
- Friday 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

"A" barracks after the big blow
- Friday 13th March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Squadron area looking from B Barracks towards the Airman's Club
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Entrance to the Chow Hall after a snow storm
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The "Run" and the road off "The Hill"
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Operations complex and "The Run" (left) Orderly Room and BOQ (right)
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Unidentified airman in front of B barracks
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

This way to the Operations building
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Yes, we did shovel a lot of snow
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

(L-R) as seen from the back of the Chow Hall. BOQ, Orderly Room, A barracks
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Bert Biron at the Chow Hall with B barracks in the background
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Pole Vault communications antennas
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The "Movie Theatre" in B barracks
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Silhouette of the site
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

VIP arrives by helicopter
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Helicopter with radome in the background
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Helicopter heading back to Harmon AFB
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Sunrise at "Table Top"
- March 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Snow removal in progress after a heavy snow storm
- February 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Unidentified A/2C at the MARS station
- February 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Church on left and school on right.
The KC-97 is still on approach to Harmon AFB
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

A Church in Stephenville
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Local homes on the road to the 640th AC&W Squadron
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

On the road to the 640th
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Kids on the way home from school
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Local homes. Note the horse drawn sleigh in the yard
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Turnpike to Kippens
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The road to the 640th
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

St. George's Bay
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

An ocean view from the road to the 640th
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Table Top Mountain, the home of the 640th
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Approaching the radar site. Note the stuck
vehicles ahead of us
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

View of the site from the access road
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Another car stuck in the snow has to be pushed out
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The squadron area Operations site
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Access road to the 640th AC&W Squadron
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bill Pike

Construction of the new Kippens bridge
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Approaching the old "one lane" bridge at
Kippens
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The old "one lane" bridge at Kippens
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Crossing the one lane bridge at Kippens. Note the side-rails
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Road to the main gate at Harmon AFB.
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Note: See the red and white radio beacon towers in the background on the left. They were still operating after the Harmon AFB was decommisioned. I checked the radio transmitters on my rounds as a Electronic Technician for the Canadian Government circa 1975. -BobMc

Main street in the town of Stephenville
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Alberts in downtown Stephenville
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Brown Derby in Stephenville
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Red Rose Club in Stephenville
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The end of Main Street. Note the KC-97 on approach to Harmon AFB
- January 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Bayview Trailer Haven
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti

Downtown Stephenville
- September 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti

Views from the road to Stephenville
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Views from the road to Stephenville
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Back row (L-R) unknown, unknown,
Staunches. Center front George Ehest. Taken in beautiful downtown Stephenville with gravel roads and sidewalks
- April 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Bayview Restaurant - a favorite hangout in Stephenville, NF
- May 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Stan Neuhaus

Aerial photo of Newfoundland Bay from a bush plane
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Aerial photo of a float plane landing at a nearby outport
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

British flag flying in Stephenville in honor of the Queen's visit
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Unidentified RCMP Officer and a local girl on the Stephenville streets
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Crowd lining the streets of Stephenville to see Queen Elizabeth
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip greeted by local dignitaries
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip greeted by local dignitaries
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen and the Prince preparing to depart the podium. Note the
Trans Canada propeller driven aircraft in the background
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen and the Prince prepare to enter the staff car. Note RCAF aircraft in background
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen speaking to young children
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen and the Prince enter the staff car. Note the tail number of the RCAF aircraft
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen and the Prince in the staff car driving away
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Part of the crowd at the TCA terminal for the Queen's visit
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

RCMP Officer in dress uniform for the Queen's visit
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Children trucked in to see the Queen
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Children trucked in to see the Queen
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

The Queen and the Prince drive by
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Part of the crowd in Stephenville to see the Queen
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

Troops from Pinetree came down the hill to see the Queen
- June 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Bert Biron

George and Connie Anderson, Jeanne Hancock and families at Port au Port
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Lobster traps on the Port au Port peninsula
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

Hancock "shack" and "Rolls" at Kippens
- July 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Peter Hancock

St. Stephen's church at dusk
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti

The shoreline at Port-Au-Port
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti

Cornerbrook
- November 1959.
Courtesy www.candemuseum.org
Joseph Valenti