Frobisher Bay, NWT

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
926th AC&W Squadron
Frobisher Bay, NWT
1 July 1960 to 30 September 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

926th Squadron, (ADC)
Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, Canada

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Jess O Yaryan, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. GADS, APO 677, New York, New York,
    64th Air Division (Defense), Stewart AFB, New York.

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • None

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • To conduct Air Defense operation within that area assigned by Headquarters, 64th Air Division (Defense) Regulation 55-24 and to function as a Surveillance Station in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    112

    22

    140

     
     

    Attached

    0

    9

    1

    10

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A, 1.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    The operations room was rearranged and a battle staff dias was constructed. The operational capability of this activity has remained constant in keeping with the high standards of the Air Defense Command Mission. Operations for the period of this report were normal and routine with no outstanding or difficult problems being encountered. The following training hours were accomplished by Operation’s personnel using the following equipment: AN/UPS-T5 = 16:30 hours, AN/UPS-T2 = 0 hours, ECCM training = 112 hours.

    Personnel:

    There were no changes in the officer personnel assigned to the squadron. The authorized manning allocation is adequately filled with overages in a few positions. Airmen of the Month for their outstanding performance of duty and contribution to squadron life as a whole were: A/1C Cecil S Gaffney for the month of July 1960, A/2C Ronald D Owsley for the month of August 1960, A/1C Kenneth G Robinson for the month of September 1960. A/1C Kenneth G Robinson and S/Sgt. Frederick L Fulcher were nominated to 64th Air Division (Defense) for Airman and NCO of the Division for the Quarter ending 30 September 1960. The following members of the squadron were promoted to the grade indicated during the October 1960 promotion cycle. To Staff Sergeant: Agapito O Cordova Jr., AF 18390286. To Airman First Class: Billy E Lane, AF 14674048, Cecil S Gaffney, AF 18518976, Gerald S Thornton, AF 13578636, Hubert B Olsen, AF 17286859. To Airman Second Class: Sante L Dinunzio, AF 13639889, Juan B Gonzalez, AF 18566642.

    Facilities:

    A ten man mobile maintenance team arrived at this station on 11 September 1960. The following projects were completed by this team before eight members of the team departed for Resolution Island on 17 September 1960: Tightened guy wires to all buildings, structures and corridors; tightened bolts in timber truss buildings; inspected all transformer stations and made general repairs to building structures and facilities. A Canadian Marconi Team under the leadership of Mr. ES Brown arrived at this site on 14 September 60 to finish IRAN of remaining four diesel units, generators and switchboards. Upon completion of this work the power plant diesel units will be in top shape. The power plant generated the following amount of electrical power during the quarter: 321,904 KW for the month of July 60; 316,200 KW for the month of August 60, and 306,500 KW for the month of September 60. There was one fire incident. This fire occurred in the Transmitter building (S-28), located outside the main building, on 17 August 1960. Contributing factor was determined to be the chemical toilet located in the latrine. Proper investigation has been conducted and reports submitted. The squadron fire team with the help of the Department of Transportation (Frobisher Bay) Fire Department were able to bring the fire under control. The damage to the building and equipment was $93,000 dollars. The transmitter activity was moved to Tower 3 (S-14). The section is now back to normal operation. An Annual General Inspection was conducted 15 August through 19 August 1960 by Major Cannon of 64th Air Division. The station as a whole was found to be better than satisfactory. Corrective action has been taken on all discrepancies.

    Supply:

    SUNEC 60 was carried out as planned. Out of approximately 245 tons received the only difficulty encountered was improper packing, documentation and marking of supplies. This resulted in a high rate of pilfering and much confusion as to what organization the supplies belonged. Supply personnel with the full co-operation of squadron personnel worked around the clock until all supplies received were properly sorted and stored. In addition all routine and required functions of the supply facility were carried out.

    Transportation:

    Transportation is good with the exception of the emergency leave situation. Members of the squadron still have to pay their fare to Goose Air Base, which is in direct conflict with paragraph 38 of AFM 35-22, dated 1 September 1960, paragraph 5-1-A of AFR 76-15 and TIG Brief Number 8, Volume XII, page 20, dated 15 April 1960.

    Community Relations:

    Community relations are continuously improving. The squadron personnel realize the importance of good relations and are putting forth their best efforts when visiting the local community.

    Morale:

    Morale is very high considering the isolated location and inclement weather.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Jess O Yaryan, Major, USAF

    Signature