Frobisher Bay, NWT

This section presented On-The-Job Training, both formal and informal, and carried on all necessary coordination with other sections.

During the month of October we were completely out of the net for twenty-six (26) minutes when Tech Power failed on 11 October. The AN/FPS-3, Primary Search, was off the air for unscheduled maintenance for fifteen (15) minutes on 19 October when we were unable to obtain the desired MDS. The Target Simulator, 15-J-1C was completely overhauled by the military personnel of this section. The height finding attachment was taken completely out and the search unit was re-installed. We found errors in wiring and several weak components. We now have five of the six targets working and are awaiting parts for the sixth.

The back up search radar has been modified by putting in a tunable magnetron, 5586, in place of a fixed magie, 4 J32-35. In the past if we had a magnetron in the set that was in the 33 to 35 series, the set was jammed by GCA. This new magnetron will enable us to tune off frequency when we are being jammed.

During the month of November, the primary search radar was off the air for five (5) minutes. This was due to low power. We believe that the set would have stayed on if it was not for the poor quality of tubes we were using. The set "kicked-off" when the thyratron failed to fire due to the low voltage. These thyratrons were made in 1942 and their life span is about half that of a good thyratron. These facts were reported to the Rome Depot by interview in August 1956.

During the month of December the station was out of the net for fifty-one (51) minutes due to power failure. The primary search was off the air for unscheduled maintenance other than out-of-the-net time for one minute and twenty-five seconds (1:25). On 21 December the primary gear was out for one hour and fifteen minutes due to the bad relays in the radar selector switch control unit. On 31 December we were out for ten (10) minutes due to a change in pressure in the radome when the pressure glass blew in. Winds were recorded at ninety (90) knots on that date.

The brushes on the high voltage transformer (phase #2) for the back-up radar were found to be completely burned beyond use. Proper replacements for these brushes could not be obtained locally; however, maintenance personnel improvised from the TPS-502 generator.

During the reporting period the Communications section fulfilled its mission of operating and providing administrative and tactical point to point communications, VHF and UHF Air/Ground radio, message center, fixed plant telephone facilities using tropospheric scatter system circuits and HF back-up equipment.

Testing of the point-to-point HF teletype back-up on a weekly basis started on 11 October 1956. The tests were run once per week for a period of one hour. Continued weekly testing should enable us to establish better teletype communications with the Net Control Station.

The communications cable which furnishes administrative telephone and teletype communications for this station was out for six days due to a cable duct freezing. The cable was logged out on 20 October 1956 and a cable overhaul team arrived from Goose on 22 October 1956. Complete telephone and teletype communications were logged in on 26 October 1956.

A new telephone security system has been put into effect and has been found to be very effective. Each call leaving this station must have a control number and must be authorized by either the section OIC or NCOIC. The control numbers for each section run consecutively for one year and changes on 1 January of each year. The control number is made up of the section office symbol and the following number, i.e., Comm-65 or Adj-65. A log is maintained in each section and a master log is maintained by the switchboard operator. With this system a spot check can be made as to whether a call was authorized.

During the month of November the Communications Office was moved from the Communications Center to Tower #2. The office is now located next to the Squadron Radio Station. The central location has improved methods of supervision for all the Communications departments. Prior to this office move, most of the supervision was directed toward the Communications Center by virtue of association. We believe this move will give better management and a more efficient operation, Communications-wise.

A storm occurred on 31 December 1956 and caused serious damage to the raceway leading from this station to the Pole Vault site. The communications cable, which furnishes administrative telephone and teletype communications from this station, was broken during the storm. An emergency repair team was requested immediately from 64t^h Air Division (Defense) to repair the damage.

During this reporting period a total of four (4) airmen were promoted. A total of five (5) airmen were rotated to the Zone of Interior. We received a total of ten (10) new airmen during this period.

It was the responsibility of the Supply Section to acquire, issue and maintain records on Unit Authorization List property and spares required by various activities of the squadron.

During the reporting period the following personnel were assigned to this section:

The acquisition of these newly assigned personnel have alleviated the manning shortage of this section. During this quarter the following projects have been started:

This activity is still experiencing difficulty in receiving priority supplies. Several items that were released for shipment 30 days prior to the date of this report are still in traffic awaiting shipment to this Station. Many overtime hours were utilized in order to complete the annual requisition for open water shipping season.

The Installations Section is responsible for the maintenance and repair of real estate facilities and operations of the utilities systems.

During the early part of this quarter five (5) new clothes dryers and five (5) new washing machines were received and installed in the Officer’s latrine, NCO and Airman’s latrines, collectively. Since the modification of the Officer’s latrine proved satisfactory, all other latrines on the Station have been modified in the same manner. Now clean fresh water is used in flushing commodes.

During October the following modification of the Ric-Wil line inspection plates was submitted to and approved by the 6606^th Air Base Wing, GAB. Four inch pipe couplings were split and turned to a length of one and one-half (1 ½) inches. The resulting rings were welded to the original inspection covers over a hole cut to the outside diameter of the coupling rings. Four inch pipe plugs with twelve inch bar handles, welded on the top, completed the modification. Manual inspection can now be made in less than sixty (60) seconds.

Lines and drains were fabricated for the steam kettle in the dining hall and a sump pump was installed for the steam kettle during the latter part of October. A carrying drain was provided and its addition relieves the necessity for carrying large quantities of hot water for disposal.

Two badly needed cam shafts were received for the Cummings Diesels in the Power House during November.

A Power Production Team was assigned to Pole Vault for general maintenance and the two 125 KVA generators located on that site during the reporting quarter.

Amateur bearings were received for the standby compressor in December. Bearings have been installed and the cold storage compressor is back in service. The station now has a standby compressor.

A storm occurring on 31 December 1956, did no damage to the main buildings but caused considerable damage to the walkway to the Pole Vault building. Since personnel and equipment were not available at this Station to repair the damage, a repair team was requested from 64^th Air Division.

The Squadron established a duty driver system in October 1956. The duty driver made regular scheduled bus runs to the Lower Base for all normal business. He also did all the driving for the squadron that could not be accomplished by regular assigned personnel (except special trips specifically requiring another driver). In this manner a more rigid control was maintained on driving safety habits.

The scheduled bus run program has significantly reduced the number of trips and miles driven. Figure 7 shows the figures involved during the past four months as to the effectiveness of this project.

Figure #7

All road signs have been removed and replaced with a new type of sign that can be seen at night. In addition, there have been additional signs made and installed to identify all curves and dangerous places along the road. Road markers to identify shoulders of the road have been installed. Each marker is covered with neolite marking tape so it can easily be seen at night.

In November the Welding Shop was moved from the front of the Motor Pool to a back side corner. New metal screens have been constructed and their increased size should act as a further safeguard against possible fires. The new location is in itself a further safeguard against the possibility of fires. The shop is larger than the previous one and all welding equipment is centrally located.

This squadron experienced its first vehicle accident since the month of May 1956, during this reporting period. The accident was attributed to inattention on the part of the driver as well as inexperience while driving in heavy snow. As a precaution, all drivers have been further instructed in drivers safety techniques as pertains to driving in ice and snow conditions.

Squadron health remained in satisfactory condition with treatments being minor in nature; however, three (3) minor cases of frost-bite were reported. Information lectures were presented by personnel of the dispensary as a preventative measure to combat the reoccurrence of such cases.

During the quarter the following treatments were performed:

Figure #8

Water samples have been satisfactory with chlorine content maintaining a steady level.

Preventative Medicine inspections are made weekly. Cleanliness and sanitary conditions are satisfactory.

This Station has been operating on an Increased Readiness basis since the 26^th of November 1956, as per direction of 64^th Air Division (Defense). The transition from normal readiness necessitated manning an additional surveillance scope in the Operations Section.

In addition to the increased manning in the Operations Section, all security measures were reviewed and altered as necessary to effect a strict control of transient personnel and visitors. The main gate to the Station was locked between 1800 and 0600 hours daily. Personnel located in the Frobisher area were notified of the Station’s alert status and further notified that the Station was off-limits until further notification by the Station Commander.

A test of blackout capabilities was conducted 19 November 1956, 2230Z. Weather conditions were: clear, cold and bright moon. Visual check was made by Station personnel via L-20 type aircraft. Results were reported as excellent. Temporary emergency procedures were used to effect the blackout. All lights throughout the Station were turned out manually. The entire operations lasted approximately thirty (30) minutes.

All personnel, PCS to this squadron, are required to attend a special orientation program conducted by the Operations Office. These personnel are informed of the squadron mission and their participation toward the effective accomplishment of such. A short tour of the Operations Section is also conducted for further confirmation of mission requirements. It is felt that exposing these individuals, who are assigned to support positions of the operational functions of the squadron, a superior effort toward team-work may be affected.

Saturday night boxing returned to the Baffin Arena on Saturday, 29 December 1956. Four fights were scheduled and presented to the Baffin Island fight fans. The participants were volunteer amateur pugilists from this Station. More fights are planned for continuation of future Saturday night bouts. Radio Station SKIMO broadcasted each detail of the fights to the local "shut-ins".

Christmas cards from the Officers and Airmen of the 926^th AC&W Squadron were sent to friends and relatives of squadron personnel.

In conjunction with Lower Base personnel, this Station presented a Christmas Party for the Eskimos of the Frobisher Bay area. Our station donated seventy-two ($72.00) dollars toward the financing of the event. The "Baffineers" (a rhythm and blues quarter) plus instrumental soloist, from the 926^th highlighted the entertainment at the Eskimo village.

The Airman’s Lounge has been completely redecorated. A pool table has also been installed and is currently available for use. This raises our total of Pool Tables to two (2). The other table is located near the library. The Officer’s and NCO Lounges were also repainted, rounding out the completion of "Operation Winter Cleaning".

Increased enrollment in various educational correspondence courses have made "Operation Mid-Night Oil" a success for our Station. Listed below, in figure 9, are the statistics concerning enrollment during the past quarter.

Figure #9