Armstrong, Ontario

914^th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
(ADC) Armstrong, Ontario, Canada

Wilfred A Hafner, Major, USAF

AN/FPS-3C Prime Search Radar; AN/FPS-502 Medium Power, Medium Range Search Radar (Back-up); AN/TPS-502 Height Finder; AN/GPA-30 Video Mapper; AN/VPX-6 Interrogator Responder (IFF); AN/GPX-501 IFF AN/FPS-502; AN/GPX-7 IFF AN/FPS-3; AN/EPS-T2 Target Reproducer; AN/UPS-T5 Target Simulator; AN/GPA-37 Jamming Simulator; NE-612 Telephone Central Office; 2 each TT/F6 Teletypewriter.

Ground Electronics Maintenance Section:

During the period 1 January to 30 June 1958, the following changes were accomplished on the radar equipment installed:

a – The section was provided with two AO-99/CPS-6B (Plan Position Indicators) which increased Controllers capabilities and combat effectiveness.
b – A dynamic breaking modification was accomplished on the stable local oscillation in the AN/FPS-3C which increases the efficiency of automatic frequency control and moving target indicator.
c – During the month of June the overhaul team provided by CAE Depot arrived and accomplished overhaul on the installed radar equipment.
d – CAE Depot contractors and maintenance technicians accomplished repair and painting of all radomes during the month of June.

During this period a major modification was accomplished. The NE-612 (Telephone Control Office), which involved a complete rewiring of all system components. A growler was fabricated by maintenance personnel to warn telephone subscribers in the event the telephone instrument was not cradled and made a part of the telephone system. A monitor was also provided to tap the Division telephone Hot Line, which eliminated the necessity for personnel talking to Division while utilizing the main control console. Provisions were made for the "Battle Commander" which allows him to monitor one or all Hot Lines during alert conditions.

A modification was accomplished on a two line landline unit which allowed it to be utilized for gathering weather data without utilizing the Main Control Console.

The organization was provided with a direct line to Division Headquarters, eliminating the necessity for patching through an adjacent site control unit. Another telephone line was provided from the local airport weather station to the main console which eliminates the necessity for patching through the base switchboard and the local Canadian National Telephone Company switchboard. Another direct line was provided between the Base Main gate and the Operations Guard Gate to assist in protection against security penetration.

The CAE Depot overhaul team accomplished an Annual overhaul on all installed radar transmitting and receiving equipment. The Section was also provided with two complete AN/GRC-27 multi-channel UHF equipment to assist in Operation WEX-VAL.

Operations Section:

In January1958, this station assumed the responsibilities of a Direction Center. The mission was formerly that of a Surveillance Station.

The Operations Standardization Modification was started in February 1958. This made it necessary to completely change the internal communications as well as rearrangement of the control and Surveillance Scopes.

On 28 April 1958, the WEX-VAL missions began. It was comprised of three phases of training, with a tentative ending date of 15 October 1958. This mission consists of three training phases, with seven actual scoring missions.

In order to establish and maintain a high degree of proficiency, a Tiger Team was formed. This included two training Officers, one TDY from McDill Air Force Base, Florida and one TDY from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Their ratings are, one Expert and one Highly Skilled. They supervised Crew Training and the Officers’ training for the WEX-VAL missions. The kill average for the F-102A’s assigned to our control for the two phases completed by July 1958 was over 66%.

Identification responsibilities have now been assigned to this station during all WEX-VAL and STP missions. This site also is required to perform identification functions whenever called upon to perform such duties, or in an actual emergency.

Personnel Section:

There has been no serious problems in the personnel field during this period of time. The Eastern Air Defense Force Annual Inspection did not find any recurring discrepancies. The inspection did show the personnel field in good condition. The one problem that has arisen which is worthy of mention is the loss of some personnel authorizations on the present Unit Manning Document. The authorizations lost that will definitely affect the morale and operation of the station are one (1) 74151 Recreation Specialist, two (2) 72130 Information Specialists, four (4) 77130 and one (1) 77150 Air Police. The loss of the recreation specialist and information specialist will affect the squadron’s morale greatly. This squadron is an isolated site on the "Pinetree Line" of the early warning system. The loss of these men will mean a virtual standstill of Special Service, off duty education and operation of the library as well as no squadron newspaper. The elimination of such personnel cannot be justified in manpower reduction when morale of the whole squadron is considered.

The Air Police reduction is a hindrance to the security of the squadron. This site is a split site requiring a guard at the main gate as well as one at the Category One elements at all times. It requires too much of six (6) men to man two posts 24 hours a day and operate the administration of the section. Action is being taken to have those spaces cited above reallocated to this squadron.

Wilfred A Hafner, Major, USAF