microwave sites. Unlike the AAC radars, the DEW line stations were manned by civilian contractors, who operated the stations on 18-month renewable contracts. In 1959, the Aleutian segment of the DEW line became operational. Six additional AN/FPS-19 search set sites were built at Cold Bay (main site), and Nikolski, Port Heiden, Port Moller, Cape Sarichef, and Driftwood Bay (auxiliary sites). It was also tied into the White Alice communication network. NORAD and the Alaskan NORAD Region Canada joined the United States to set up the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) on an interim basis on 7 August 1957 based on an agreement between the Canadian Minister of National Defence (under authority from the new Prime Minister) and the United States Secretary of Defense. Formal confirmation of the new agreement was provided by the two governments on 12 May 1958 (the date of the opening session of the 1958 Canadian Parliament). Alaska became part of NORAD when the Alaska NORAD Region (ANR) was activated at Elmendorf AFB on 5 August 1958. The Commander in Chief, Alaskan Command was dual hatted as the Commander ANR. Alaskan Air Command was at its peak air defense strength when operational control of Alaskan air defense forces was transferred to the newly established North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). In 1961, the AAC COC system was replaced with a combined ANR Control Center (ANRCC) at Elmendorf. and the COC at Murphy Dome AFS became an alternate for the ANRCC. Alaska's two air defense sectors were combined with the introduction of the new ANRCC, and ANR became responsible for all of Alaska's airspace. It was connected to NORAD by microwave sites (B-route) down the Alaska Highway and undersea cable from Ketchikan to Seattle (A-route) to Cheyenne Mountain. In 1965, the ANRCC became automated with the operational activation of the AN/FYQ-9 Data Processing and Display system. Prior to the FYQ-9 installation, ANR had to manually track and plot aircraft tracks. The AN/FYQ-9 also provided increased data processing speed for air defense data sent from the Alaskan radar sites to Elmendorf AFB. Arctic Drift Stations From 1946 to 1961, the Air force engaged in observations of polar ice pack phenomena which resulted in the support of three major manned ice stations. In August 1946, a SAC WB-29 flying over the Arctic noticed what appeared to be an island where no known land existed. Subsequent investigations determined that it