Historical Reference Paper
Number One

US AIR DEFENSE
IN THE NORTHEAST
1940 - 1957

By
Lydus H. Buss

DIRECTORATE OF COMMAND HISTORY
OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES
HEADQUARTERS CONTINENTAL AIR DEFENSE COMMAND


PREFACE

Ent Air Force Base
Colorado Springs, Colorado
1 April 1957


HOW THE UNITED STATES
OBTAINED BASES IN THE NORTHEAST *

_____________

* The term Northeast, as used in this paper, means the entire area where U.S. forces operated including Newfoundland, Labrador, Northeastern Canada, and Greenland - - unless otherwise defined.


U.S. FORCES IN THE NORTHEAST DURING WORLD WAR II

_____________

* Denmark ratified this agreement in 1945 with some minor changes. See note, page 9, for discussion of 1951 agreement between Denmark and the U.S.

** Newfoundland became the tenth province of Canada on 31 March 1948.


_____________

* See Appendix III for a complete list of NBC, USNEC/NEAC, and 64th Air Division commanders.

** A NEAC historian made some interesting comments on the choice of Narsarssuak. "The exact reason for the choice of Narsarssuak is not clear. An early history of the Air Transport Command in Greenland remarks that in the late spring or early summer of 1941 a party surveyed southwestern Greenland `in a rather casual manner' . It also appears that a Major Gorlinsky of the Engineers reported on the site without actually visiting it. He spoke of gravel, but when the task force arrived in July, they found not gravel, but a mass of large rocks for which their equipment was inadequate. The term `Gorlinsky Gravel' was given to the galcial till". Quoted from NEAC, U.S. Operations in the Northeast, 1940 - 1950, p 45.


NEW BUILD-UP: CREATION OF USNEC AND NEAC

On 1 October 1950, the Joint Chiefs of Staff established the U.S. Northeast Command as a unified command. The purpose was "to provide a more direct operational control by the Joint Chiefs of Staff over U.S. forces on bases in Canada and Greenland". (10) USNEC's mission was to defend the U.S. from attack through the arctic regions in the northeast area, defend the USNEC area, and support SAC, MATS, and other military and governmental agencies using Northeast bases. (11) The headquarters was placed at Pepperrell AFB.

_____________

* The U.S. and Canada signed a lease on 5 December 1952 that gave the U.S. certain rights to 7,000 acres of land at Goose for 20 years.


THE NEAC RADAR SYSTEM

Most of the NEAC heavy radars were part of the stations built throughout Canada under the Canada-United States Radar Extension Plan (known as the "Pinetree" plan). In early 1950, the Continental Air Command (ConAC), which was responsible for air defense, drew up the first plan. USAF approved this plan, but it hit a cost-sharing snag with the PJBD.

The USAF assumed responsibility for radar coverage in the northeast. A number of long range radar stations were established to cover this area of responsibility. Details of the NEAC (Northeast Air Command) Temporary Radar System (early 1950's) are as follows:

_____________

* United States forces had remained in Greenland on the basis of the 1941 agreement (mentioned on page 2), which was ratified by Denmark in 1945. A new agreement was completed by Denmark and the U.S. on 27 April 1951 (it went into force on 8 June 1951). This agreement was made at the request of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which was formed by the nations signing the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949. Both Denmark and the U.S. had signed this treaty. NATO asked that the two nations arrange for the use of facilities in Greenland by the armed forces of the parties to the NATO in defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area. The agreement provided for the mutual use of bases and other facilities in Greenland and guaranteed that the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark would not be prejudiced. The agreement, being in implementation of the North Atlantic Treaty, was to remain in effect for the duration of the North Atlantic Treaty. Thule Air Base was built by the U.S. as a result of this agreement. It was completed in 1953. The complete Denmark-U.S. agreement may be obtained from the Directorate of Command History, Headquarters CONAD.


Site

Type of Site

Location

Unit

Remarks on AC&W Units

Radar
Equipment

Approximate
Date Station Operational

L-22A

ADCC

Pepperrell, NF

152nd Group
64th AD

1 August 1951 - Federalized
8 April 1952, Activated

 

June 1952

L-22

ADDC

Red Cliff, Pepperrell, NF

108th Sq.

1 August 1951 - Federalized

AN/CPS-5
AN/MPS-4

June 1952

L-23

ADDC

Harmon AFB, Stephenville, NF

105th Sq.

1 August 1951 - Federalized

AN/CPS-5
AN/MPS-4

April 1952

L-24

ADDC

Goose Bay, Labrador

107th Sq.

1 August 1951 - Federalized

AN/CPS-5
AN/MPS-4

May 1952

L-32

EW
GCI

Thule,
Greenland

Det. 1
152nd Gp
931st Sq.

July 1952 - Activated
8 November 1952 - Activated

AN/TPS-1B
AN/MPS-4

July 1952

B-2

EW
GCI

McAndrew AFB, NF

920th Sq.

1 August 1951 - Federalized

AN/CPS-5
AN/TPS-10A

July 1952

The USAF assumed responsibility for radar coverage in the northeast. A number of long range radar stations were established to cover this area of responsibility. Details of the NEAC (Northeast Air Command) Permanent Radar System (as of December 1956) are as follows:

Site

Type of Site

Location

Unit

Remarks on AC&W Units

Radar
Equipment

Approximate Date
Station Operational

N-22A

ADCC

White Hills,
Pepperrell, NF

64th AD

8 April 1952, Activated

 

June 1954

N-22

ADDC

Red Cliff,
Pepperrell, NF

642nd Sq.

1 August 1953
Re-designated from 108th

AN/CPS-6B
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

Mid 1954

N-23

ADDC

Stephenville
(Harmon AFB), NF

640th Sq.

1 August 1953
Re-designated from 105th

AN/CPS-6B
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

May 1953

N-24

ADDC

Melville
(Goose Bay)
Labrador

641st Sq.

1 August 1953
Re-designated from 107th

AN/CPS-6B
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

Spring 1953

N-25

EW/GCI

Gander, NF

226th Sq.
(RCAF)

1 August 1953
Formed

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

Fall 1953

N-26

EW/GCI

St. Anthony, NF

921st Sq.

1 October 1953
Assigned to 64th ADiv

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

November 1953

N-27

EW/GCI

Cartwright,
Labrador

922nd Sq.

1 October 1953
Assigned to 64th ADiv

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

November 1953

N-28

EW/GCI

Hopedale,
Labrador

923rd Sq.

1 November 1953
Assigned to 64th ADiv

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

November 1953

N-29

EW

Saglek Bay,
Labrador

924th Sq.

10 December 1953
Assigned to 64th ADiv

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

Fall 1953

N-30

EW

Resolution Island,
NWT

920th Sq.

1 August 1951
Federalized

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/FPS-502

November 1954

N-31

EW

Frobisher Bay,
NWT

926th Sq.

19 December 1953
Assigned to 64th ADiv

AN/FPS-3C
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

December 1953

N-32

ADDC

Pingassuit
(Thule)
Greenland

931st Sq.

8 November 1952
Activated

AN/FPS-3
AN/FPS-6
AN/FPS-4

July 1953

N-33

EW

Etah,
Greenland

Det. 1
931st Sq.

1 Oct 1953 - Activated
Fall 1956 - De-activated

AN/TPS-1D
AN/TPS-1D

December 1953

N-34

EW

Ice Cap,
Greenland

Det. 2
931st Sq.

1 October 1953
Activated

AN/TPS-1D
AN/TPS-1D

Spring 1954


COMMUNICATIONS

INTERCEPTOR FORCE

NEAC's first fighter-interceptor unit arrived in September 1952. This was Detachment 1 of the 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron which went to Thule with four F-94B's. (27) It began limited operations on 11 September and on the seventeenth began standing alerts with two aircraft on five minute readiness from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. (28) When the shorter hours of daylight came, the alert period was changed to 0800 to 1700. For an alert hangar, the detachment used Atwell-type buildings located near the runway.

_____________

* On 19 August 1953, after arrival of the 318th Squadron at Thule, the 59th's Detachment was deactivated and the equipment and men returned to the parent squadron.


FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR FORCE

Unit

Location

Date
Arrived

Aircraft
Orig. - New - Date Converted

59th Sq.

Goose Bay

Oct 1952

F-94B - F89D - May 1955

Det 1,
59th Sq.

Thule

Sep 1952

F-94B (Inactivated Aug 1953)

61st Sq.

Harmon

Jul 1953

F-94B - F89C - Dec 1953
F89D - Jun 1955

74th Sq.

Thule

Jul 1954

F89C - F89D - Jun 1955

318th Sq.

Thule

Jul 1953

F-94B (Returned to U.S. Aug 1954)

ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE

THE PROBLEM OF DISTANCE AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL

NEAC Headquarters felt that the 64th Air Division was too far away from Thule to effectively control the units there. Both the 931st ACW Squadron and the detachment of the 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Thule had initially been placed under the operational control of the Thule 6612th Air Base Group. (35) The 64th Division was not given control of these units until 1953.

CANADIAN OPERATIONAL CONTROL

There has been much study and inter-service dispute on this subject. The Canadian Government feels that there should be a NATO arrangement in the Northeast. The Canadian Army feels that there should be a Canadian commander in the Northeast. The RCAF opposes this and takes the stand that it is unreasonable to suggest a Canadian Commander in view of the fact that all forces are U.S. forces. They have come up with the proposal, which has been accepted at the Joint Planners level, that there be a Canadian second in Command in the Northeast. This proposal is now before the "Chiefs".

_____________

* The NEAC territory grouped itself conveniently into three areas for defense: (1) Thule area which had the 74th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 549th AAA Battalion, 931st ACW Squadron; (2) Newfoundland area which had the 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 642nd ACW Squadron, 640th ACW Squadron, 921st ACW Squadron, 226th AW Squadron, and the ADCC; (3) Goose area which had the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 641st ACW Squadron, 923rd ACW Squadron, 924th ACW Squadron,920th ACW Squadron, and the 926th ACW Squadron.


It is my impression that the Canadians are not after a Combined Command but will be content with a Canadian Vice Commander. I explained that such a person could not legally assume administrative command in the CG's absence; they understood and agreed. I am of the opinion that we should support this proposal when it is raised, since it will remove most of the obstacles generated by "political considerations", national sovereignty, etc.

THE MID-CANADA EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

_____________

* For information on the Mid-Canada Line and the Distant Early Warning Line, see CONAD Historical Study 10, Seaward Extension of Radar, 1946-1956, pp64-69; and History of CONAD/ADC, July-December 1955, PP 68-77


Location

Number

Detachment

Cape Makkovik, Labrador

N-28A

Det. 1, 923rd Squadron

Cut Throat Island, Labrador

N-27A

Det. 1, 922nd Squadron

Spotted Isle, Labrador

N-27B

Det. 2, 922nd Squadron

Fox Harbour, Labrador

N-26A

Det. 1, 921st Squadron

La Scie, Newfoundland

N-26B

Det 2, 921st Squadron

Elliston Ridge, Newfoundland

N-22B

Det. 1, 642nd Squadron

Elliston Ridge, Fox Harbour, and Cape Makkovik became operational in February 1957; the three other stations were scheduled to become operational by the end of April 1957.

THE DISTANT EARLY WARNING LINE

RESPONSIBILITY FOR NORTHEAST AIR DEFENSE
GIVEN TO CONAD

_____________

* Northeast as used here means both the Canadian and the Greenland areas.


AIR DEFENSE UNITS - 64TH CONAD DIVISION AREA
(As of 31 December 1956)

Interceptor
Squadrons
Unit - Base

ACW Units
Unit - Base

Antiaircraft
Units
Unit - Base

Other
Unit - Base

59th - Goose

640th - Harmon

7th AAA Gp - Thule

6630th REV/ECM - Goose

61st - Harman

641st - Goose

127th AAA Btry - Goose (Augmentation)

62nd GOBC Det - Gander (RCAF)

74th - Thule

642nd - Pepperrell

   
 

Det #1 - Elliston Ridge

   
 

920th - Resolution Island

   
 

921st - St. Anthony

   
 

Det #1 - Fox Harbour

   
 

Det #2 - La Scie

   
 

922nd - Cartwright

   
 

Det #1 - Cut Throat Island

   
 

Det #2 Spotted Island

   
 

923rd - Hopedale

   
 

Det #1 - Cape Makkovik

   
 

924th - Saglek Bay

   
 

926th - Frobisher Bay

   
 

931st - Thule

   
 

Det #1 - Ice Cap

   
 

226th - Gander (RCAF)

   

KEY COMMANDERS

NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND

15 January 1941 - 16 July 1941 Colonel Maurice D. Welty

16 July 1941 - 22 September 1941 Brig. Gen. H.W. Harms

22 September 1941 - 18 October 1941 Colonel Maurice D. Welty

18 October 1941 - 7 January 1943 Maj. Gen. Gerald C. Brant

7 January 1943 - October 1944 Brig. Gen. John B. Brooks

October 1944 - 1 January 1946 Brig. Gen. Samuel Connell

1 January 1946 - 20 January 1946 Colonel Albert L. Edson

20 January 1946 - 1 July 1949 Brig. Gen. Caleb V. Haynes

1 July 1949 - 1 October 1950 Maj. Gen. Lyman P. Whitten

NORTHEAST COMMAND AND NORTHEAST AIR COMMAND

1 October 1950 - 20 March 1952 Maj. Gen. Lyman P. Whitten

20 March 1952 - 31 July 1954 Maj. Gen. Charles T. Myers

31 July 1954 - 1 September 1956 - USNEC Lt. Gen. Glenn O. Barcus
31 July 1954 - 1 September 1956 - NEAC Lt. Gen. Glenn O. Barcus

64th AIR DIVISION (DEFENSE)

8 April 1952 - 12 September 1952 Colonel Willard S. Magalhaus

12 September 1952 - 20 May 1954 Colonel Charles R. Bond, Jr.

20 May 1954 - 1 December 1954 Colonel Charles B. Downer

1 December 1954 - ? Colonel Wallace R. Jordan

? - 23 July 1955 Colonel Joseph Myers

23 July 1955 - 1 April 1957 Colonel Carroll W. McColpin

64th CONAD DIVISION

1 April 1957 - Colonel Carroll W. McColpin


REFERENCES

(1) W.F. Craven and J.L. Cate, editors, The Army Air Forces in World War II, Plans and Early Operations, January 1939-August 1942, Vol. I (Office of Air Force History, Univ. of Chicago Press) p 121.

(2) O.T. Barck and N.M Blake, Since 1900, A History of the United States in Our Times (New York: Macmillan Co, 1947), p 6.

(3) NEAC, U.S. Operations in the Northeast, 1940-1950, p 47.

(4) Ibid.

(5) Ibid., PP 9-15.

(6) Ibid.

(7) Ibid., p 45.

(8) Ibid., p44.

(9) Ibid., p22.

(10) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1951, p V (Introduction)

(11) Ibid.,

(12) USAF to MATS, NBC, GBC, "Re-designation of the Newfoundland Base Command and Hq and Hq Sq. Thereof; Reassignment and Discontinuance of Certain Air Force Units," 22 Sep 1950 (DOC 1); NBC GO # 8, 30 Sep 1950 (DOC 2); USNEC GO # 1, 1 October 1950 (DOC 3); NEAC GO # 1, 1 October 1950 (DOC 4); USNEC GO # 2, 1 Oct 1950 (DOC 5).

(13) NEAC GO # 3, 10 Oct 1950 (DOC 6); NEAC GO #9, 12 Dec 1950 (DOC 7).

(14) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1951, p II (Introduction)

(15) Ibid., Jul-Dec 1952, PP 54-56; Danish - U.S. Agreement, 27 April 1951 (DOC 8).

(16) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1951, PP 37-40

(17) Ibid., Jul-Dec 1953, p 63

(18) Ibid., Jan-Jul 1952, p 70.

(19) USAF to NEAC, "Constitution and Activation of the Hq, 64th Air Division (Defense)," 8 Apr 1952 (DOC 9)

(20) NEAC GO # 48, 22 Dec 1952 (DOC 10); Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1952, p 14.

(21) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1952, p 12.

(22) Hist. 64th Air Div (Def), Jul-Dec 1952, pp124-128; Jul-Dec 1953, PP 2-6.

(23) Hist. 64th Air Div, Jan-Jun 1954, "Special Monograph on the Greenland Ice Cap Early Warning Sites of the 64th Air Division", PP 1-2.

(24) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1953, p 11.

(25) Hist. NEAC, Jan-Jun 1956, p 203.

(26) Ibid., p 201.

(27) Ibid., Jul-Dec 1952, p 12.

(28) Hist. 64th Air Div, Jul-Dec 1952, p164.

(29) Ibid., p 141.

(30) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1953, p 85.

(31) Hist. 64th Air Div, Jan-Jun 1954, p 12.

(32) USNEC GO # 18, 16 Nov 1953 (DOC 11).

(33) NEACR 55-21, "Rules of Engagement and Employment of Anti-Aircraft Weapons" 28 Dec 1953 (DOC 12)

(34) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1953, p 123.

(35) Ibid., Jul-Dec 1952, p 65.

(36) Hist. 64th Air Div, Jan-Jun 1953, p 2.

(37) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1955, p 2.

(38) Hist. NEAC, Jul-Dec 1951, p 108.

(39) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1952, PP 36-37.

(40) Ibid., Jul-Dec 1952, PP 70-72.

(41) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1953, p 45.

(42) USAF-RCAF Operations Plan, 1 Jun 1956, pp66-67 (HRF 306).

(43) Ibid., Jan-Jun 1955, p 128.

(44) Ibid.,

(45) USAF to Dist., "Decisions Relative to Operations of the DEW Line", 20 Jun 1956 (DOC 13)

(46) As in n 42, p 34.

(47) Hist. NEAC, Jan-Jun 1956, PP 176-181

(48) Msg., C/S USAF to CINCONAD, CINCNE, et al, 20 Aug 1956 (DOC 14)

(49) Msg., CINCONAD to CINCNE, 28 August 1956 (DOC 15)

(50) ADC GO # 13, 26 Feb 1957 (DOC 16); NEAC-ADC-SAC-MATS-AMC Agreement Pertaining to the USAF reorganization in the Northeast Area, 5 Dec 1956 (DOC 17)

(51) Air Defense Agreement, 1 Jan 1957 (DOC 18)

(52) CONAD GO # 2, 19 March 1957 (DOC 19)


 

Updated: June 19, 1998