Frobisher Bay, NWT

RCS 1-AF-D2 (64-1)

Major Homer D. Champlin
Commander

2^nd Lt. John S Nigro
Historical Officer

Northeast Air Command

During this quarter there were numerous changes in squadron personnel. Five airmen were assigned, six airmen were reassigned and ten airmen were promoted. The long awaited assignments arrived for the advance party who arrived at this site last August (1953).

On September 23 the vessel The Marine Carp anchored in the island inlet with sixteen replacements aboard. At the beginning of the work day, the airmen signed in, after which, twenty airmen with more than a year’s tour with the squadron signed out and went on board the vessel for transportation and rotation to the Zone of Interior.

Lt. Will A Rush arrived in July as a controller. Lt. Isidore A Kurtz, Air Installations, rotated to the Zone of Interior for separation. With departures and arrivals the squadron strength at present is seven officers and 112 assigned airmen.

Operations of prime radar has continued without any breakdowns. However, because of limited maintenance spares, many critical parts are still in RNFP requisition. Air Defense Exercise "Checkpoint" was in effect from 9 July through 11 July. The "Cock Pistol" began at 2153 Zebra Time on 9 July. On 10 July, MARS was utilized from communications to Goose Bay for a period of time because of difficulty with high frequency. The exercise ended at 1715 Zebra Time on 11 July.

From 19 July through 30 July, Operational Test Missions were flown by Centigrade Nine in a B-29 aircraft. During the tests, jamming was experienced by squadron on 20 and 30 July. The flights were beneficial for training purposes as they gave the Controller an opportunity to use his ground to air communications and check the IFF equipment. The scope operators also became familiar with live jamming and made necessary steps to reduce its effect.

Height-Range Indicator, AN/TPS-502, arrived at this station on 30 July. Upon arrival of the civilian contractors installation was started the last week in August and completed on 8 September. The Height-Range Indicator was accepted and became operational at 1700 Zebra Time on 13 September.

During August many photo reconnaissance missions were flown by Lockheed Hudson (C-45 type) aircraft. These accounted for many tracks, bringing the squadron monthly total to a record 233.

Four B-36 aircraft, undoubtedly participating in Exercise "Glow Worm", were tracked on 15 August. Navigational assistance was given to several aircraft during August by Controllers Lt. Rush and Lt. John S Nigro. Both controllers have completed the controllers examination on the Rules of Engagement.

An emergency message was received from Dignity Five on 29 August pertaining to unusual activity in the Alaskan area. Maximum surveillance was maintained, starting at 0001 Zebra Time. Preventive maintenance was cancelled until the cancellation of the directive at 1402 Zebra Time on 31 August.

The radome was cleaned, repaired and painted on 2 and 4 September. Work was delayed somewhat due to high winds but was completed on 4 September after 16 hours and 15 minutes of "off the air" time, four hours of which was charged to PM. In addition to the winds experienced during the painting, there were also storm warnings on 12 and 13 September, with winds forecast up to 90 miles per hour.

A change in operating frequency during August on the radio teletype net was directed by the 641^st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. Thus far, this change has slightly lowered the overall efficiency of the net. Approximately 70 per cent was the average of perfect communications for September.

Work on the low frequency equipment will be completed with the installation and alignment of the antenna turning units. Work also is progressing on "tropospheric scatter". Two parabolic antennas have been constructed and installation of the associated equipment is under way. Two maintenance men, trained in this system, have been assigned and are presently receiving additional training on the functional equipment already in operation at this station.

MARS undertook one major project in July. The antenna which was on top of tower number two was moved to a position behind the orderly room. The change was necessary due to installation of the AN/TPS-502 in tower #2. A new antenna rotor, installed on the antenna tower, has increased the efficiency of MARS considerably by broadening its scope and range. A large number of phone patches and messages have been handled by MARS operators Lt. Elmer Lemesh, T/Sgt. George W Bee and Pfc. Edward Matos on both amateur and MARS bands.

The Motor Pool section furnished the truck and driver to haul earth between the Airmen’s quarters for a level area for volleyball and badminton courts. Dirt was also hauled for three horseshoe courts bused by airmen and officers.

Two floor type rolling jacks which are hydraulically operated and ten ton capacity were received by the Motor Pool. The jacks will facilitate work required on heavy vehicles and equipment.

Motor Pool and AIP sections collaborated on ideas, and material was picked up at the dump to fabricate a rig for spraying used motor oil on the roads. One 300 gallon oil tank and an old wagon were used. A sprinkling system, made from an old pipe, was placed on the wagon, and used oil from the power plant and motor pool was placed in the tank and sprayed on the roads.

Two new truck utility Willys M-38-A1 models were received in September to replace the old M-38 models which will be shipped to Goose Bay AB. One new truck cargo three-quarter ton M-37 Dodge was also received.

An annex has been constructed out of Arctic Construction panels on the East side of the Motor Vehicle Storage Building. The unit will be large enough to park the Caterpillar without removing the blade. Two snow removal vehicles, with four wheel steering and drive and hydraulic operated controls, were received on 20 September.

A flag pole was built and placed at the main gate of the squadron area and a squadron sigh was placed on the guard house. This enhances the beauty of the entrance.

A tool crib was built in the rear of Tech Supply to store all overages of tools and to keep the tools from straying away without hand receipts.

Inventory of the entire supply account was taken before Lt. Lemesh, communications officer, was given the added duty of Supply Officer, replacing Lt. Charles W Lintz, who rotated to the Zone of Interior. Lt. Lemesh will be Supply Officer for about three weeks at which time he will rotate to the Zone of Interior after turning the account over to the next Supply Officer.

The Food Service Section held its first candlelight spaghetti supper, in place of the regular meal, in September for the enjoyment of all. On each table was placed one large candle with an array of candles at the serving line. All other lights were out. The candlelight spaghetti supper will be a monthly affair.

Red valances and light colored curtains were placed on the dining hall windows.

S/Sgt. Creighton O Walsh has replaced T/Sgt. Charles W Klose as Mess Steward. T/Sgt. Klose recently left for the Zone of Interior.

The Squadron volleyball team competed in the Volleyball tournament at Goose AB in July and in August, the softball team traveled to Pepperrell AFB to participate in the 64^th Air Division (Defense) Softball Tourney.

The Squadron club copped the Baffin Island Softball League title and trophy for which two Air Force and three Engineer teams battled. The 15 inch diadem, placed in the Squadron Orderly Room, overlooks a table model of the site made of plaster of Paris and Flour.

The first official basketball game was played on Baffin Island in September when the 926^th AC&W Squadron defeated a Navy team. The 90 foot long court is located in the hangar, approximately three miles from the site.

Four magazine racks were built by the AIO section for the lounges. These alleviated the pile up of magazines on the tables and floor. Two ping pong tables were also constructed by AIO to fill the recreation needs of the men.

The Hobby Shop began operation and archery was started during September. Both have been popular with personnel.

Inability to receive ping pong balls and movies, which serve as a large segment of our entertainment, has been a drawback to the Special Service Section. Many times when movies arrive, several of the group had been shown here before.

The squadron health remains satisfactory with treatments being minor in nature. An increase in upper respiratory infections has been notes due to the changes in climatic condition.

A staff visit by the Medical Supply Officer from Goose AB was made in August. He established account symbols and an inventory of all non-expendable property and coordinated supply problems and local procedures with special emphasis on narcotics.

Official visitors during July included Colonel Wallace W Jordon, DCS/OPNS 64^th AD (D), who arrived on 15 July. Lt. Colonel Harold W Webster, DCS personnel, arrived on 21 August and remained for several days to coordinate plans for rotation. Lt. General Glenn O Barcus, Commander-in-chief-USNEC, arrived with his party on 29 August.

On 15 September Rear Admirals Redfield Mason and Neil K Dietrich visited the site. Colonel Reuben Kyle, Jr., Deputy Commander NEAC visited the station on 16 September. Colonel John M Konosky and his party who arrived on the vessel The Marine Carp were the last official visitors during this quarter.