Frobisher Bay, NWT

History
of
926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (N-31)
(Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, Canada)

1 October 1955 – 31 December 1955
(RCS: AU-D5 64-1)

Prepared for Officer of Information Services,
64^th Air Division (Defense),

by 1^st Lt. Lawrence C Cummings, (Historical Officer),
and Staff Sergeant Donald Ray (Historical Technician)
20 January 1956

64^th Air Division (Defense) Northeast Air Command

The 926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated at Grenier Air Force Base, New Hampshire, on 13 June 1953, with an authorized strength of 10 officers and 120 airmen. The squadron was moved to Site Number 31, Frobisher Bay, Canada, between 19 August 1953 and 2 December 1953. The authorized strength of this organization was changed to 7 officers, 100 airmen and 12 civilians by Unit Manning Document dated September 1955.

The primary mission of the 926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was to provide early warning surveillance of the assigned area of responsibility. The secondary mission was to provide navigational assistance to friendly aircraft.

The purpose of this squadron was to serve as a member of a group of similar organizations providing a system of early warning against the infiltration of enemy aircraft into the defense areas of the United States and Canada.

It was the responsibility of the Administrative Section to maintain all records pertaining to assigned personnel and to perform the duties pertinent to the office of the Squadron Commander.

During the period the administrative section maintained the 100 percent reporting effectiveness which was first achieved during the July-September quarter. The percentage is based on the accuracy and timeliness of reports forwarded to Headquarters, 64^th Air Division.

Master Sergeant Joe B Osteen joined the unit in November and assumed the duties of First Sergeant. Shortly after his assignment Sergeant Canteen reorganized the Duty Roster so that all men eligible for detail and mess attendant were placed on duty. A number of personnel had previously been excused from duty because of personnel shortages. By early December the new system had proved to be effective, and any resulting sectional difficulties had been completely alleviated.

Early in December a mass move of enlisted personnel took place within the quarters areas. All Non-Commissioned Officers, civilians on NCO status and civilians of Officer status were moved into the South Wing area. The NCO Day room and Club were moved into the North Wing, the adjacent day room was remodeled and a new library was set up.

It was learned in December that the 64^th Air Division Inspection team would visit the squadron in January. In preparation for this visit all personnel records were screened, administrative practices were rechecked for conformance to higher Headquarters directives, and all personnel actions were reviewed for possible improvement.

A directive was received from Headquarters 64^th requiring that all Squadron Memorandums and Standing Operating Procedures be revised and republished not later than 30 January 1956. Every possible area of squadron activity was reviewed to determine the necessity for memorandums. With the project 80% completed by 31 December it was believed that the goal of publishing a complete memorandum file which would brief all assigned personnel on all phases of squadron life would be met.

By early December all personnel who had been extended because of a shortage of replacements had been rotated. The squadron was able to operate with a minimum of 70 personnel during this period with longer working hours and cross-assignments. Shortly after Christmas replacements arrived for the Operations section, thus eliminating a serious personnel shortage which had existed since October. The squadron was still short in Installations personnel, particularly in plumbers, electricians, diesel plant operators and diesel plant maintenance personnel. Communications and Radar Maintenance sections became 100 percent manned for the first time in 1955 during December of that year.

During this cycle two NCO’s were promoted to Technical Sergeant and two airmen to Staff Sergeant. There were three promotions to Airman First Class, seven to Airman 2^nd Class and one to Airman Third Class. The promotions to Airman Second Class were the result of the largest promotion quota to that grade received in 1955. Eighteen airmen remained eligible and recommended for promotion to Airman Second Class at the end of December.

Airman First Class Charles L Perry arrived from Headquarters AFROTC in November and was assigned to the personnel section as a personnel specialist. With his arrival there were five airmen assigned the Orderly Room in addition to the First Sergeant – one personnel specialist, one apprentice personnel specialist, one apprentice classification specialist, a chief clerk and one apprentice clerk.

With the assignment of so many apprentice level personnel in December, the On-the-Job Training program required considerable re-emphasis. Training supervisors were instructed to prepare tests at least monthly for all trainees, job descriptions were reviewed and modified and all supervisors were required to submit concrete evidence of the effectiveness of their training program. All personnel eligible for training were entered into the program which was expected to reach maximum efficiency by mid-January 1956.

The General Military Training Program was completed in December with the squadron nearly 200 percent trained in all required subjects. In addition to those required subjects the Arctic Survival Course was completed during this period. It was conducted by Captain Ralph C Reynolds who had attended the command survival school at Goose Air Base in November.

A number of important visitors arrived prior to the Christmas holidays. Cardinal Francis Spellman said Mass in the theatre on 30 November. He was accompanied by Lt. General Glen O Barcus and Catholic Chaplain (Colonel) Fellows. In December Dr. Oliver Blake, President of the United Council of Churches, held Protestant services.

After an absence of three months three United Services Organization Camp Shows came to Frobisher and the Squadron. The Broadway Showtime Troupe stayed here from3 through 6 October and gave performances in the theater and in the clubs. On 23 December two groups of entertainers landed. Eight Hollywood starlets and night club singers broke the ice for a full day of singing and dancing in the theater. Later in the afternoon the Washington University Choir arrived for their third annual Christmas performance at the site. The 16 girls and 14 men of the chorus were all students or graduates of Washington University touring the NEAC area during their holiday. Of the group, eight of the girls in the chorus were veterans of previous tours.

It was the responsibility of the Operations Section to make a record of, and report to the Air Defense Control Center, all images plotted on its radar scopes. Further, it was responsible for assisting friendly aircraft in matters relative to navigation, local weather and airport conditions.

Traffic for this reporting period decreased from the last reporting period due to the change in weather conditions. A total of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two (1,892) tracks were plotted and one thousand five hundred and fourteen (1,514) flight plans were received and logged.

A three shift schedule was maintained throughout the reporting period due to the shortage of trained personnel. To accomplish this, five airmen were borrowed from the communications section on a fifteen (15) day rotation plan. This plan was highly successful in that cross training was accomplished and operations maintained its high standard of proficiency. A temporary position was installed between the upper dias to give more space for the Crew Chief and Director. A PPI was placed on the new partition next to the Crew Chief’s position to facilitate surveillance supervision and to make possible more accurate positioning in navigational assistance. Crew personnel repainted the operations room from the plotting board back a light green color, this improved the lighting and general atmosphere of the room.

Operations personnel participated in the AIO project by repainting the halls in the operations wing.

Captain Reynolds, Operations Officer, was TDY to Goose Air Force Base during the month of November to acquire flying time and attend Arctic Survival School.

Staff Sergeant Whitman, Operations NCOIC, was promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant in December. The promotion quota for the month of December was the largest on record for this Squadron. The Operations Section was well represented with Staff Sergeant Clark being promoted to Technical Sergeant, Airman First Class Wancysk to Staff Sergeant, Airman Second Class Reed to Airman First Class, Airman Third Class Hassing to Airman Second Class, and Airman Third Class Brown to Airman Second Class.

Nine (9) airmen and one (1) officer rotated to the ZI during October through November. One Officer was transferred to the Squadron from the 642^nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, and late in December eleven (11) Airmen Third Class were received straight from operators school. Even with the shortage of trained personnel the Operations Section maintained its high operational proficiency. Morale is high and this is quite promising since the three shift schedule is still being maintained. The men work eight hours a day, seven days a week with no days off, and still no one complains or shirks his responsibility.

The most significant event during the October-November period was the Joint Air Force-Army-Navy Air Defense Exercise Operation "Crackerjack". The squadron participated in "Crackerjack" on December 5, 1955 and was the only 64^th Air Division Unit which detected unidentified aircraft. Due to the watchful eyes of the scope operator, the exercise was kicked-off prior to scheduled time, by detecting two (2) high flying tracks which were not planned to penetrate our area of responsibility. A total of four tracks were detected and reported as unknown during the exercise. Nine additional tracks were reported and identified as friendly by the ADCC during the exercise.

Communications facilities were adequate. Back-up facilities were not utilized. However these facilities and personnel required for manning were immediately available and were capable of performing 100 percent back-up if utilized.

Services of support agencies, including weather information and materiel services were adequate during the exercise.

Squadron personnel were prepared and all sections were manned to maximum capacity on the initiation of the exercise. Although strict internal security measures had been taken prior to the declaration of Air Defense Readiness, additional guards were posted and all personnel advised of the seriousness of the situation. In spite of the shortage of personnel, a high degree of interest and willingness to work was displayed by all sections. In so far as the performance of the unit mission as an early warning station is concerned, the result obtained in this exercise indicate 100 percent effectiveness.

The Operations Section was given a pat on the back from NEAC Commander for excellent showing made during this exercise.

Exercises of the nature are of great benefit in developing teamwork and awareness of unit mission.

The radar maintenance section is responsible to the Commander for the proper operation and performance of all ground electronics equipment pertaining to radar in the support of the primary mission of the squadron. This section carries out On-the-Job training, both formal and informal, and carried on all necessary coordination with other sections.

During the month of October one new radar mechanic arrived at this site from Keesler Air Force Base and is now on temporary duty in Radar Operations This brings the strength of the radar maintenance section up to ten with the present NCOIC due to rotate early in November.

Mr. Hugh Sangster, Emerson Tech Rep visited this organization for approximately five days for the purpose of installing the UPA-37. Since the UPA-37 was already installed, Mr. Sangster devoted his time to instructing proper trouble shooting techniques of the simulator. After Mr. Sangster left, the Marconi paint team arrived to paint the inside of all three radomes with Magic Vel paint. This project was accomplished in approximately four days.

Personnel gains for the month of November included T/Sgt. Donald M Butz and A/2C Richard Bastone.

The evaluation team arrived here on 17^th of November for the purpose of completing performance checks which they started in October, but were unable to complete because of the lack of aircraft for flight checks. The checks were completed and the team departed on November 24^th.

A total of twenty-eight (28) minutes of breakdown time for the prime equipment was due to a series of weak tubes in the IF Preamplifier. The motor generator for the height finder was sent to Goose Air Base for overhaul because of a bad bearing. This generator has since been returned. At the present time the backup motor generator is awaiting shipment to Goose Air Base for overhaul.

A total of 15 modifications were accomplished on the three (3) pressurizer systems. Those modifications awaiting to be accomplished will be completed during the month of January 1956.

A new electric door lock system was installed on the operations door. When the wrong combination is pushed, an alarm sounds off, at which time the door will be checked by radar maintenance.

One airman 30353C is at present being cross-trained in the Power Plant.

It was the responsibility of the Communications Section to provide all administrative point to point communications and all tactical point to point air to ground communications required by the squadron.

The Communications Section was operating Ultra High Frequency and Very High Frequency, air to ground radio equipment; High and Low Frequency, ground to ground (Point to Point) radio equipment; the Message Center; Fixed Plant Telephone facilities uses the Tropospheric Scatter (Pole Vault) System circuits for point to point communications.

On 29 October work was completed on the outside telephone plant by four airmen from the 1^st Communications Construction Squadron, Pepperrell, and recommendations were left by them on length of spans and poles that will need replacing within a year, a project which is to be accomplished by this section.

Normal rotation of radio operators without replacement so much as forecast during the period of September 1955 to January 1956, caused a shortage of such operators and necessitated consolidation of receiver and transmitter sections into one section and assignment of radio maintenance personnel to duty as radio operators on a rotational basis. Should the station have to activate back-up communications for any length of time we would be seriously hampered by this qualified personnel shortage.

Action was completed this period on the AACS Teletype circuit at the 6650^th Air Base Squadron, Frobisher, and their telephone switchboard was installed by their personnel. Re-routing the 926^th operations direct line to Frobisher tower through the main frame was accomplished and request made of the 6650^th to install a similar line to DOT weather office for operational use but this project was deferred until proper wire could be obtained. Anticipated date for completion of the latter project is 31 January 1956.

On 12 December 1955, Mr. Francis Reaves, Philco Technical Instructor, departed for the ZI and the radio maintenance On-The-Job training was undertaken and continued by existing assigned personnel.

On 21 October Captain John E Wildman, Communications Officer, was rotated to ZI and his duties were assumed by Captain Alfred J Naigle, who was also Radar Maintenance Officer. October forecast of communications officer assignment has since been put back to March 1956 and in order to keep from extending Captain Naigle 120 days beyond his normal rotation date, 1^st Lt. Donald H Miller, Intercept Controller, was assigned additional duties of Communications Officer and C&E Officer on 14 December 1955.

Due to lack of teletype operators, the wall between the wire frame room and the message center was removed, thus enabling the PBX to be moved nearer to the message center and allowing one man to operate both facilities.

A total of 7 airmen, the Communications Officer and the Philco Technical Instructor rotated during this period and 9 new airmen were assigned. At the end of the reporting period all sections are fully manned except teletype and radio receivers with radio operators.

A receiver located in the receiver site was remoted into the squadron radio station. This permitted the broadcasting of live stateside AFRS programs.

A new 3 channel monitoring system was installed in the operations room. All channels can be monitored at the same time, and the three outputs are combined into one speaker. Each channel has an independent volume control, the operations of which does not affect either of the other two channels. The old monitoring system was unsatisfactory. When two or more channels were being used, considerable background noise was present. The new system had reduced noise to a minimum.

The responsibilities of the Air Installations section included the maintenance of all installed building utilities and facilities, the fabrication of items essential to the operation of various squadron activities and items necessary for the health and welfare of all personnel.

Routine maintenance, required construction improvements and the ever important fire prevention program kept Installations personnel working at full capacity during this period.

Reoccurring inspections and tests of fire fighting equipment were made; fire drills were held and fire prevention lectures, with written examinations, were given to newly assigned personnel during October, November and December.

Having completed all outdoor preventative maintenance and repairs in preparation for the winter season, installations personnel turned their attention to indoor repairs and improvements. Biggest of these projects was reconditioning and painting theater seats received from Goose Air Base, and complete remodeling of the theater. A new projection booth and stage were built and a plywood floor was installed. All walls and the floor were painted.

A preventative maintenance check was conducted by the plumber and electrician on all unit heaters, cabinet heaters, washers and dryers. A new unit heater was installed in the caterpillar storage building. All wiring to the contractor’s buildings was removed and all buildings were torn down. Plumbers inspected the heating system, cleaning all steam traps, and performed a continuous preventative maintenance check on all condensate pumps. Damaged protecto wiring in the living quarters was removed and replaced. The fire alarm system is now operating properly.

Brushes required for cleaning the boiler tubes in the heating plant have not been received from Goose Air Base. These have been on order since January 1955. Since the cleaning is essential to operation, personnel of the heating plant purchased the brushes from Montreal, and work has begun on cleaning the boiler tubes.

During the month of November, installations personnel continued the indoor projects which included sanding and varnishing stairways and painting all hallways. Conducted preventative maintenance inspections and made repairs on buildings and utilities systems.

Washing machines, dryers and buffers have taken up the majority of the one electricians time in the past two weeks and there are no electricians in sight as stated previously.

Tubes in boiler number 1 were cleaned in October and boiler number 2 was cleaned in November. One civilian diesel operator departed from this station on 26 November and the last one is leaving on or about 2 December. This will leave three airmen to operate the diesels.

Painting of the hallways throughout the site was approximately 50% complete. This project was temporarily delayed due to a shortage of personnel.

One of the heating units on the electrically heater water line from the pump house to the storage tank became defective causing the pipe to freeze and burst. Water is now being hauled by truck and an effort is being made to keep the tank full at all times.

Routine preventative maintenance inspections and repairs were conducted on a continuous basis on all buildings, equipment and utility systems. The sump pumps in the kitchen and South latrine became defective and had to be replaced.

This unit was without an electrician since October and plumber since the first week in December. The electrical work is being done by the refrigeration man and carpenter. Due to lack of experience this work has taken up a considerable amount of time and has put a heavy work load on the installations section.

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

During the month of October the following personnel from the Command Equipment Review Board and Goose Air Base reviewed the UAL requirements and assets of this organization and completed the approved UAL for this organization: Lt. Col. Ruick, Lt. Col. HH Pribble, Major RA Duchesne, Captain JT Nelson Jr., Captain HJ Knabenshue, Captain D Carleton, Captain CW Swadley, Captain RP Nichols and 1^st Lt. CC Tatsch.

During the month of November two (2) airmen were released for return to the ZI. Staff Sergeant Donald L Swiger was assigned to this station and assumed duties of NCOIC of the supply section.

During the month of December this section completed all control numbers and brought forward all of last years control numbers that were incomplete. Supply transportation began meeting all incoming aircraft to prevent handling of cargo twice. A staff visit was accomplished by Lt. Price and two (2) airmen from Headquarters, 64^th Air Division.

Reordering of all annual supplies for the forth coming shipping season and a complete inventory and re-ordering of all 17-B items authorized was accomplished during the month of December. Breakage Allowance was completed for the period of 1 December 1955 through 1 February 1956.

No personnel changes occurred during the month of December.

The local radio station SKIMO increased the hours of operation considerably since the last reporting period of July through September. A 17 hour daily schedule was put into effect during November and was continued through December. No changes were made in the program schedule except that special AFRS Christmas programs were used during the time the same programs were scheduled previously. SKIMO operated for 24 hours on 24-25 December, 2400 to 0700 hours. The internal information program was implemented with special spot announcements pertaining to driving safety and Special Services activities.

During the month of December the NCO club was moved from the North Wing into the South Wing area formerly occupied by the library. The day room adjoining the club has been designated as the NCO day room and is adjacent to NCO quarters. The library was moved to the North Wing adjoining the day room. Both the day room and the library have been repainted and organized. A new system for handling library books was devised. All books are now placed on open shelves and the library is open 24 hours daily. Operating on the "honour system" the circulation of books is far greater and the loss is practically negligible since all books are easily recoverable at this location.

As a result of the application for an organized Non-Commissioned Officer’s Mess submitted by this squadron, the 64^th Air Division published a standardized constitution procedure for setting up similar clubs at all N-Sites. Work was begun in December to re-submit this squadrons application using the standardized form. The plan is similar to the operation of standard sized Messes although on a simplified form. The application should be approved by early spring. During December the present NCO club elected a new club secretary, M/Sgt. Joe B O’Steen to replace S/Sgt. Humberto Sanchez who had been club secretary since September.

Staff Sergeant D Ray was assigned to this section during this reporting period, replacing Staff Sergeant J Davis who rotated to the ZI in November.

It was the responsibility of the Medical Department to provide clinical medical assistance to the sick or injured, up to that degree requiring professional medical treatment. Further, it was responsible for the general sanitation standards of the unit.

Squadron health remained satisfactory during this reporting period, with all treatments being minor in nature. A total of 211 treatments were performed during the period of October through December. These included the following: minor surgery 38, upper respiratory 48, ear, eye, nose and throat 18, and 107 for general medicine.

During this reporting period one airman was evacuated to support base for observation and treatment and two for dental treatment. A total of two personnel were placed "On Quarters" not exceeding three days, during this period.

Water samples, to test percent of chlorination, obtained daily from various sources, were satisfactory with an average high being 0.7 and average low of 0.3. These samples were forwarded to Goose Air Base for further analysis.

Preventative medicine inspections were conducted twice weekly, during this period, throughout the squadron. Cleanliness and sanitary conditions are satisfactory. The housing conditions are excellent.

All incoming personnel assigned to this organization are receiving a complete records check to insure completeness.

The entire squadron has received influenza vaccine. There was no sickness caused by this vaccine, or ill effects.

All airmen working with electrical equipment were given instruction for first aid on electrical shock along with instructions of artificial respiration.

We regret to advise that there was a missing page at this part of the report.