Goose Bay, Labrador

1964 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
641st AC&W Squadron
Goose Bay, Labrador
1 April 1964 to 30 June 1964

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

641st AC&W Squadron
APO 677, New York, NY

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Benjamin M Howse, Lt. Col., USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Air Defense Command
    26th Air Division (SAGE)
    Goose Air Defense Sector
    641st AC&W Squadron

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • The mission of the 641st AC&W Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within area of assignment as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3, to support the Goose NORAD/CONAD Combat Center area of responsibility as described in NORAD GO Nr. 14 and CONAD GO Nr. 8 dated 13 May 1960, and to function as a Master Direction Center within the Air Defense system.

    Authority: Paragraph 1, Goose Air Defense Sector Regulation 23-2, dated 15 July 1963.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    19

    203

    14

    236

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A – Two Channel Prime Radar, AN/FPS-90 Radar Height Finder, AN/GPX-7A Radar Identification, 10 Cummins Diesel Generators, 8 AN/GRC-27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-3 Single Channel UHF Transmitter, 2 MF/URG-60 VHF Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel Receivers, 10 T-5002/FRT-502 and 1 FRT-503 Single Channel VHF Transmitters.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    Officer manning in Operations during this quarter was satisfactory. Authorized strength is 13, assigned 14. New officers arriving this station were: Major Knighton, Lt. Taylor, Lt. Peterson, and Lt. Kiliverous. Officers departing for ZI were Lt. Moore and Lt. Duncan. Captain Dorr transferred to GADS Operations. Captain Young and Lt. Willett were upgraded to Operational Ready Skilled. Captain Gibbons, Lt. Towers and Lt. Cummins were upgraded to Operational Ready. Current Director status is: 2 Operational Ready Skilled, 8 Operational Ready and 3 in training status. Airman manning in operations during this quarter was: 33 NCO’s authorized, 27 assigned; 52 Airmen authorized, 51 assigned. 14 new personnel arrived this quarter while 8 departed. One NCO and six airmen on OJT will be scheduled to take SKT Test in the September 1964 testing cycle. The 641st ACWRON participated in a NORAD ORE in April 1964 and a ADC ORI in May 1964. Both operations were performed in a satisfactory manner with portions of operations being rated outstanding in both evaluations. Operations participated in seven live exercises during this quarter. Weapons controllers have accomplished 1007:45 hours of academic and ECM training while Airmen accomplished 1730:00 hours of academic proficiency and ECM training. Operations received 4433 flight plans. There were 43 unknowns, 13 active air scrambles, 847 practice intercepts and 820 aircraft recovered. The 641st participated in 7 category II’s, 1 category III, 3 category IV’s and 0 category V STP exercises. Major Knighton replaced Major Evans as Operations officer on 22 June. Captain Wade assumed the additional duty of operations training officer. The lower dias positions in the operations weapons room has been rearranged to provide better working conditions. The 641st inspection in April of the operations administrative, training, and security was conducted with an overall rating of excellent for the section. The Staff Assistant visits were conducted by operations personnel. The first visit to the 922nd ACWRON was made in April. The second visit to the 923rd ACWRON was in June 1964.

    Communications and Electronics:

    A review of the K-25 reports for March, April and May indicate that we continue to do well in both direct labor and error rate. The figures are as follows: The March direct labor rate was 51% and the error rate .7%. The April direct labor rate was 54% and the error rate .3%. The May direct labor rate was 55% and the error rate .1%. The Sector standards for this period are 40% direct labor minimum, and 3% error rate maximum. During April, we were notified that the 641st won the 1st quarter 1964 Sector Maintenance Achievement Award. Results of the 2nd quarter will be available during the first week of August. We participated in the NORAD Operational Evaluation during April. Very few outages were experienced and the entire ground environment system performed excellently. Our efforts against chaff and other forms of ECM were most successful. During May, we participated in the ADC Operational Readiness Inspection. Very few C-E problems were experienced and the section was rated as outstanding by the evaluation team. During June, a Quality Control Inspection was conducted by GADS C-E-M personnel. The C-E Section received an overall rating of satisfactory. Several key people departed: Lt. Foushee – Communications Officer, Mr. Marsin – CTSP, S/Sgt. Geitner – NCOIC Radio Maintenance and M/Sgt. Davidson – NCOIC Communications Center. New arrivals are: Lt. Liska – Communications Officer, Mr. Temple – CTSP, S/Sgt. Johnson – NCOIC Radio Maintenance, and T/Sgt. Wirz – NCOIC Communications Center. In May, a GEEIA team arrived and completed modification of our height finder ECM capability. We now have side lobe cancellation which should prove helpful in combating ECM. Our height finder also underwent a complete DLM and is now in fine condition. The Crypto Section has now been given an additional responsibility of inspecting other crypto sections belonging to the various squadrons in the Sector. During April, Saglek, Cartwright and St. Anthony were inspected. In order to more adequately comply with AFM 66-1, we have realigned the primary duties of Lt. Liska and Sgt. Ainsworth. In effect, we have divided C-E-M into maintenance and operations. The maintenance portion comes under AFM 66-1, while the operations end consisting of the Communications Center, PCSP, schemes, plant-in-place records, etc., is supervised by Lt. Liska and Sgt. Ainsworth. This arrangement makes for a more efficient operation. In April, we gave our NORAD taped briefing to Clover Park High School, Lakewood, Washington. Our civilian and military suggestion programs for FY 64 ended on 30 June. It was most successful. We wound up with 251 military suggestions and 48 civilian suggestions. Under the Cost Reduction Program, we have submitted two items accounting to a savings of $45,000 and are preparing a third savings. Our Materiel Control project turned out very well. We have requested that we continue to operate a Materiel Control Section on a sustained basis. The AN/FPS-6 height finder was modified during June and is now the AN/FPS-90.

    Civil Engineering:

    The following work orders were completed by the Civil Engineering Section during this period:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    Both Mobile Maintenance Teams arrived 27 April 64. Segment No. I departed 16 May, while Segment No. III remained until 26 June 64. A team will return in August to finish incomplete projects. The teams completed or partially completed these projects:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    On 20 April 1964, No. 4 unit in the power plant tripped off the Tech Buss due to a broken shaft in PT fuel pump. This caused No. 1 to blow through the hose breather and No. 3 tripped off due to overload. No-break units took over the No-break power while Tropo power was taken over by CMC personnel. Tech-power was back within minutes using engines No. 2, 3 and 5. The Heat Plant functioned at peak efficiency during the period. The following are cumulative costs for April through June:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    Fuel and Lube Oil costs were $20,148.00. The Fire Fighting Teams participated in fire drills on 9th and 13th April, 9th and 13th May, 5th, 19th and 24th June 1964. There were no fires on station. This completes the Civil Engineering History for 2nd quarter FY 64.

    Supply:

    The Host-Tenant support agreement between Goose AB and 641st AC&W Squadron was completed and forwarded to GADS. This agreement is prepared annually IAW AFR 11-4 to provide a written agreement of logistical support between a host base and its tenant. On 15 June 1964 Unit Supply became responsible for storing hold baggage for newly assigned personnel. This will provide better security for hold baggage and will allow sufficient space so that hold baggage can be on hand when the individual arrives. On 22 June 1964 the Unit Supply Administrative Section moved to the office vacated by Materiel Control, which was co-located with Maintenance Control Center to comply with AFM 66-1. This was another phase in our pilot project to establish Materiel Control. Personnel gains and losses. A/2C David Novak from Dyess AFB, Texas on 19 April 1964. T/Sgt. Carl J Prince to Cannon AFB, New Mexico on 6 June 1964. The Food Service Section operated within its monetary allowance for the period. The Dining Hall was nominated for the Hennessy trophy by Goose Air Defense Sector. Personnel standings are 11 assigned against 12 authorized.

    Personnel and Administration:

    The personnel and administrative section accomplished its mission during the quarter. 4 officers and 42 airmen were processed in and 3 officers and 46 airmen departed during April through June 1964. Total manning was satisfactory in all sections. On 30 June 1964, 19 officers, 203 airmen and 14 civilians were assigned against an authorization of 19 officers, 222 airmen and 14 civilians. The squadron received a grant of $5,230.00 from ADC which was used to improve the morale and welfare of assigned personnel. Barracks and the theater were renovated and new draperies obtained for all rooms. Development of a much needed recreational area at nearby Lake Alexander provided boating, fishing and a summer recreational area for squadron personnel. Most of this work was accomplished through self-help. Unit security proved to be penetration proof while unfavorable incidents were held to an absolute minimum through constant alertness of the Security and Law Enforcement section. Definite improvement in Motor vehicle maintenance has attained an unprecedented 100% vehicle in-commission rate. The end of the fiscal year brought an influx of junior officer replacements throughout the squadron. Many of the replacement operations officers are untrained in manual procedures. However, an intensified training program is effectively and rapidly training all personnel "combat ready". The following distinguished visitors toured the squadron: 21 April – Lt. Col. John A Green, Lt. Col. Jack L Oxley, Lt. Col. Joseph W Stephan, and members of the NORAD ORI Team. 17 May – Dr. Chalker, Mr. Romanelli, Mr. Ayres, Mr. Peters, Mr. (Captain) Windsor, Mr. Lanford, Mr. Bell, Colonel Price and party of Newfoundland and US dignitaries. 20 June – Mr. William A Pankonin (GS-15) and Donald L Irwin, Pentagon Personnel Representatives, on an evaluation team of civilian personnel administration. 26 June – Air Vice Marshal JB Harvey, Commander of the Northern NORAD Region, and Colonel TH Beeson, Commander, Goose Air Defense Sector. A highly successful Dining-In was held 1 May 1964. Mr. Augustus A Edwards, Commissioner of Labrador, was guest speaker. Honored guests included Brigadier General Harrison A Thyng, Deputy Commander, Northern NORAD Region; Colonel Walter Y Lucas, Commander 4082nd Strategic Wing and his deputy, Colonel Wooten; Colonel Williams, Commander, Goose Air Base, Colonel Thomas H Beeson, Commander, Goose Air Defense Sector; Group Captain Kenny, Commander, RCAF Station Goose Bay.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Benjamin M Howse, Lt. Col., USAF

    Signature

     

    Civil Engineering Projects

    Work Order No.

    Description

    Date Completed

    MEL 106-64

    Repair and replace steam traps

    16 April 64

    MEL 106-64

    Repair receptacles in Operations

    11 May 64

    MEL 106-64

    Repair ceiling in "B" barracks

    8 June 64

    MEL 107-64

    Repair and replace water faucets

    17 April 64

    MEL 107-64

    Install switch for fuel pump in motor pool

    13 May 64

    MEL 107-64

    Replace pressure relief valve

    9 June 64

    MEL 108-64

    Repair walls in barracks

    21 April 64

    MEL 108-64

    Maintenance of airmen dormitories

    15 May 64

    MEL 108-64

    Repair outside walk "C" barracks

    12 June 64

    MEL 109-64

    Repair heating system

    22 April 64

    MEL 109-64

    Repair walls in Motor Pool

    16 May 64

    MEL 109-64

    Repair steam lines

    17 June 64

    MEL 110-64

    Repair stairs

    22 April 64

    MEL 110-64

    Installed traps in dining hall

    20 May 64

    MEL 110-64

    Repair pump controls

    19 June 64

    MEL 111-64

    Repaired storm windows

    24 April 64

    MEL 111-64

    Repaired main water lines to showers

    22 May 64

    MEL 111-64

    Repair electric heaters

    23 June 64

    MEL 112-64

    Repair signs for area

    29 April 64

    MEL 112-64

    Install two copper lines to walk in cooler, dining hall

    27 May 64

    MEL 112-64

    Repair radiators steam

    25 June 64

    MEL 113-64

    Repaired exit doors

    29 April 64

    MEL 113-64

    Repaired coils and air conditioner in operations

    28 May 64

    MEL 113-64

    Repair lighting "C" barracks

    26 June 64

    MEL 114-64

    Repair utility rooms

    26 June 64

    Mobile Maintenance Team Projects

    Work Order No.

    Description

    Status

    MEL 100-64

    Repair walls, ceiling and floors and install wainscat

    Complete

    MEL 101-64

    Rehabilitated approximately 300 square yards corridor area by installing suspended ceiling

    Complete

    MEL 100-64

    Repair incinerator

    Complete

    MEL 104-64

    Repair 502 tower roof

    Complete

    MEL 106-64

    Replace windows, Officers Club

    Complete

    MEL 107-64

    BOQ basement to provide storage area

    Complete

    MEL 110-64

    Repair floors

    Complete

    MEL 112-64

    Repair drains and sewer lines on station

    Complete

    MEL 116-64

    Repair entrance door to transmitter building

    Complete

    MEL 117-64

    Construct lumber storage area

    Complete

    MEL 118-64

    Repair garbage shelters

    Complete

    MEL 119-64

    Repair broken shingles

    50% Complete

    MEL 120-64

    Repair radar exhaust system

    Complete

    MEL 122-64

    Repair shop in power plant

    Complete

    MEL 125-64

    Repair pump house deck

    Complete

    Civil Engineering Cumulative Costs

    Military Costs

    Civilian Costs

    Materials

    Total Costs

    $7,533.60

    $21,924.00

    $3,745.72

    $33,203.32