jul 31, 1957 - DEW Line Operational

Description:

Since long-range weapons were brought to existence, Canada was put at risk to Soviet air attacks. For national defense, the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line was assembled, the last of three lines of radar stations built to detect Soviet air attack. This line specifically monitored activity over the North Pole, and its first phase was made operational on July 31, 1957.

These lines limited Canadian sovereignty, as only the US could launch counter-attacks if there was a need to do so. US military was required to be stationed in Canada for the first time to monitor each radar station. Furthermore, Canadians had to gain American security clearances to visit the Canadian lines, which was very angering throughout the nation.

Image: one radar station, part of the DEW Line

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