Goose Bay, Labrador

1968 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
641st AC&W Squadron
Goose Bay, Labrador
1 October 1968 to 31 December 1968

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

641st AC&W Squadron
APO New York 09677

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Donald J McGibbon, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Air Defense Command

    First Air Force
    37th Air Division

  • 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 function as a NORAD Surveillance Station detecting and identifying all airborne objects entering or operating within the units defined area of responsibility; to provide surveillance information to the Commander 37th Air Division concerning unknown, hostile and friendly airborne objects; to flight follow all air traffic operating within the scope of its radar coverage; and to function in a supervisory capacity over three outlying sites.
    Authority: 37ADR 23-2 dated 26 June 1968.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    78

    34

    118

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-93A – Two Channel Prime Radar, AN/FPS-90 Radar Height Finder, 0A840A/GPX-7A Radar Identification Set, AN/GPX-27 Interference Blanker Group, AN/UPX-14 Radar Interrogator Responder, AN/GRR-7 Single Channel UHF Receivers, AN/GRT-3 Single Channel UHF Transmitters, AN/GRC-27 Multi Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, AN/FRT-502 Dual Channel VHF Transmitters, AN/URG-60 Single Channel VHF Receivers.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Command and Administration:

    During this reporting period, the squadron received a Staff Assistance visit from 37th Air Division, (9-12 Dec 68). All functions were deemed satisfactory and a formal report was not required. Corrective actions for discrepancies noted will be reported to the Commander. Captain Francis B Brake departed PCS and was replaced by 1st Lt. Bernard W Pitkin effective 25 November.

    Operations:

    The squadron participated in two live exercises during the reporting period and conducted seven Systems Training Problems. During the past quarter, the Operations Section continued to operate under the concept of a NORAD Master Surveillance Station while maintaining control capability. This has presented problems in the area of proficiency training for Weapons Controllers/Technicians. Captain Allen S Creighton departed PCS and was replaced by 1st Lt. Howard L Jackson (reassigned from 37AD Direction Center) in December.

    Communications and Electronics:

    Mission equipment listing is as follows:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    During this quarter, manning was 39 authorized, 35 assigned with five losses and one gain. The unit Radio facilities were finalized during this quarter. The equipment in place was rearranged to the final configuration, all excess items turned in to supply for disposition, and Plant-In-Place Records updated. The power transformer for our technical power has helped reduce the numerous outages of the SIF equipment. Two personnel passed their 30352 SKT. The MDC error rate for the section has been excellent during this quarter averaging less than 0.5%.

    Station Support:

    This section was visited by the Goose AB Resident Auditor in December and was rated satisfactory with two minor discrepancies which have been subsequently corrected. This section has been experiencing problems in retaining civilian employees for a significant period. The limited number of local civilians available is compounded by higher paying positions on Goose AB and creates a transient attitude on the part of our civilian personnel.

    Civil Engineering:

    A Real Property Survey was completed for the entire site between 15-19 Oct 68. Written comments of this survey and the inventory of site real property installed equipment is on file in the Civil Engineer’s office. This report revealed that site facilities were in very good order. Our safety program has resulted in the award of a certificate of recognition for maintaining a non-reportable ground accident record in 1AF for a twelve month period from 1 Nov 67 through 31 Oct 68. The squadron placed second in 1AF in the annual fire prevention program. Civil Engineering is revising its entire maintenance program in accordance with standards set forth in AFM 85-1. This should be completed by 1 March 69.

    Personnel:

    Under Project Better Living, considerable amounts of furniture are scheduled for replacement during the upcoming quarter. A small amount has already been received and is being distributed. Several TDY/PCS requirements levied by 37AD headquarters are causing shortages in some specialities. These requirements are caused by severe shortages in other 37AD units. A concerted attempt at coordination between all duty stations is being made and we hope to have the problem solved shortly. The Top Three Program was initiated at this unit during the past quarter and has met and appointed committees to study different facets of the retention program.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Donald J McGibbon, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature

     

    Communications and Electronics Mission Equipment

    a

    AN/FPS-93A

    Two channel prime radar

    1

    b

    AN/FPS-90

    Radar height finder

    1

    c

    0A-840A/GPX-7A

    Radar identification set

    1

    d

    AN/GPX-27

    Interference blanker group

    1

    e

    AN/UPX-14

    Radar interrogator responder

    1

    f

    AN/GRR-7

    Single channel UHF receivers

    7

    g

    AN/GRT-3

    Single channel UHF transmitters

    7

    h

    AN/GRC-27

    Multi channel UHF transmitters

    2

    i

    AN/FRT-502

    Dual channel VHF transmitter

    1

    j

    AN/URG-60

    Single channel VHF receivers

    2

    k

    AN/GLH-501

    Azimuth time recorder

    1