Hopedale, Labrador

923^rd AC&W Squadron, (ADC)
APO 434, New York, New York.

William D MacMonagle, Major, USAF

AN/FPS-3C (1); AN/TPS-502 (1); AN/FPS-6B (1).

General:

The close of the last reporting period found squadron personnel enjoying the limited pleasures of the fair weather season. The summer months of July and August were unusually mild. Taking advantage of the warm weather, work on outside plant projects was begun in earnest.

Two major events highlighted the period’s activities: The Air Defense Command’s Operational Readiness Inspection of Goose Air Defense Sector and the summer re-supply program: SUNEC. The ORI was conducted on 8 July by a three man team from ADC. The operations section received a satisfactory rating. The summer re-supply was equally successful and on 22 July, the first of four ships began off loading operations. Additional dockings in August and September produced a combined total of 3,463 tons of supplies. Throughout the quarter, improvements were made in all areas. From a new floor in the motor pool, to remodelling of recreational facilities, the unit hummed with activity.

There were significant changes in key personnel. First Lieutenant Joseph E Hogge assumed command of Detachment #9, 1933^rd Communications Squadron (AFCS) on 13 July 1962 replacing Captain Robert H Epperson who had departed in May. Captain Fiorensino A Zuzolo assumed the post of Communications and Electronics Officer upon the PCS of Major Stewart H Coe on 31 July 1962. Captain Charles L Ekblad, the unit’s Operations Officer, departed PCS on 9 July. His duties were assumed by Captain Lemuel G Lloyd, Jr. On 25 July 1962, First Lieutenant William P Tompkins arrived at the station as Radar Maintenance Officer. Captain Jimmie J Smith reported on 1 August and was assigned to the Operations Section as Assistance Operations and Training Officer. Weapons Director, First Lieutenant Hugh P Wellford departed PCS on 3 September 1962.

The rise in annual rotations to the CONUS, which was reported on during the previous period, continued. By August, the shortages caused by these rotations reached the critical stage in the Operations and Communications and Electronics functions. While the former facility was able to maintain activity without recourse to outside assistance, it became necessary to request and receive two enlisted communications center specialists on 30 days TDY from the 640^th AC&W Squadron. In addition to the obvious effects, a number of tangent problems were generated by the low manning situation. The On-the-Job training program was adversely affected by the loss of instructor personnel. A more general problem was the increased frequency in the assignment of the remaining personnel to squadron details.

Operations:

During the quarter operations personnel conducted 496 intercepts and participated in four exercises involving live aircraft. Simulated intercepts totalled 487 and 18 simulated training missions were also conducted. A total of 3,818 tracks were plotted, of which 49 were carried as "unknown". Navigational assistance was given to 102 aircraft.

The opening of the reporting period found the section preparing for the ADC ORI. A three man team of officers arrived on the station, 6 July. On the 7^th, a Operations/Communications and Electronics briefing was presented to the team and tests were administered to the assigned Weapons Directors and ICTs. The actual mission, SAGA 1862, was flown on the eight. Consisting of two phases, the mission, including its advanced states of readiness, covered the period 0400 – 1700 hours. The overall evaluation of the unit’s capability of performing its primary mission was "satisfactory". A number of discrepancies were noted by the team and immediate corrective action was undertaken.

On 9 July, the Operations Officer, Captain Charles L Ekblad departed the station PCS. His position was assumed by the Training Officer, Captain Lemuel G Lloyd, Jr. With no replacement on hand, this action reduced director manning to 80% of strength. Manning in the 174X field was re-established on 1 August with the arrival of Captain Jimmie J Smith, who assumed the vacant position of Training Officer. However, on 3 September, Lieutenant Hugh P Wellford, Senior Director of "A" Crew, departed PCS with no replacement in position. This shortage necessitated the reassignment of Captain Smith as director in charge of "A" crew with a subsequent loss in the area of training supervision. At the close of the reporting period this situation, i.e. 80% manning of directors persisted.

A situation similar to the above occurred during the quarter within the enlisted ranks. By the end of July airman manning had fallen to 67% and rose only .5% by the end of the next month (68%). The next thirty one days witnessed a rise in strength to 84% for the close of the period. While the operational capability was maintained, these shortages caused a decided falling off in the all important area of training. When the quarter opened there were three airmen assigned to the training section. Two months later (1 September) the section consisted of one officer with no assistance. Three days later, with the transfer of that officer to a crew, the section’s force was completely eliminated.

A more pressing problem was the reduced capability of stations radar during the period. The unit’s radar problems are discussed in detail under the section on Communications and Electronics. Not until mid-September was there any sign of relief in this area. The live exercise "Big Echo Blue" conducted on 29 August was run under the poorest of conditions radar-wise, with the station’s surveillance capability suffering as a result. During Sky Shield III, 2 September, the station experienced considerable difficulty in detecting inbound targets due to poor radar performance.

Hand in hand with the problems of radar were the difficulties associated with the PEGE flight checks. Hampered by radar equipment performing below standard these flights caused considerable difficulty. However, the upswing in radar effectiveness, coupled with firm guidance promulgated by Headquarters Goose Air Defense Sector at a PEGE conference on 6 September, gave clear indication that this problem area would soon be resolved.

CWO Glenn D Fox was re-evaluated for Combat Ready on 13 August 1962. Captain Jimmie J Smith was re-evaluated for Expert on 29 August 1962 and completed his thirty day familiarization period on the 30^th day of the same month.

Captain Lloyd was TDY to Goose Air Base and the 641^st AC&W Squadron from 19-25 July 1962 for the purpose of providing director assistance to the 59^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron during the conduct of its Tactical Evaluation for the Hughes Trophy competition. CWO Fox and T/Sgt. Robert C Richardson were TDY to Goose Air Base from 27-29 August 1962 attending a "Trusted Agents" conference in preparation for Sky Shield III. The GADS "PEGE" conference, 5-7 September 1962 was attended by Captain Lloyd as the operations representative. First Lieutenant Kermit Armbruster and S/Sgt. Carl Lynch (ICT) cross trained at the 59^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron on TDY between 25-28 September 1962.

Communications and Electronics:

Although not stated in recent past written histories, discussions with personnel at this station clearly indicated that for some months previous the primary search radar (AN/FPS-3C) had not been operating at peak efficiency. The overhaul referred to during the last reporting period had been looked upon as a possible solution to the problem. However as this quarter progresses, it became evident that the overhaul has solved no problem and that, in fact, the equipment was rapidly deteriorating performance-wise, in spite of all efforts of the squadron’s maintenance force.

On 5 August 1962, Major Jesse E Jefferies, the newly assigned GADS Director of Ground Communications, Electronics and Meteorological Maintenance, visited the unit on a staff familiarization visit. If a point of departure could be fixed from which to plot the upswing in the station’s radar capability, it would be the visit of this officer. As a result of his findings, Major Jefferies requested inspection assistance from the Department of National Defense Inspection Services (Canada). The resultant visit was made by Mr. Roy W Gradwell of DND and Mr. M Schmidt, Canadian Marconi Company between 22-29 August 1962.

During the period of Mr. Gradwell’s visit, extensive maintenance, including that normally accomplished by depot personnel was performed at the station. Receiving a virtual "carte blanche" on maintenance time from GADS and being supplied with special flights to test any improvement in performance, maintenance crews worked around the clock in an effort to isolate the problem. Although the situation could be ascribed to no single fault, sufficient information was obtained upon which to program future corrective measures.

Obviously additional maintenance was required based on the above findings. Subsequent to the two live exercises, "Big Echo Blue" and "Sky Shield 3" a marked improvement in radar performance was noted.

Supply and Transportation:

As previously stated, the summer resupply operation constituted a highlight of the reporting period. The bulk of the actual effort fell upon the supply section. This group was responsible for the planning and co-ordination necessary for the accomplishment of the program. Since the entire unit was to benefit from the operation, squadron personnel from all sections assisted in the off loading and stock piling of the supplies and equipments.

A cargo listing for the main operation is as follows:

MV Farrandoc – 255 short tons of general cargo and vehicles.
CCGS Skua – 55 short tons of vehicles and general cargo.
MS Sea Transporter – 3,013 short tons of POL.
MS Therron – 40 short tons of frozen and chilled foods.

The morning of 22 July saw the arrival of the first vessel; MV Farrandoc. Later the same day, the CCGS Skua docked. The cargo of these two carriers was mainly general supplies and vehicles. The MS Sea Transporter made port on the 23^rd, with bulk diesel fuel constituting her only cargo. The following day she weight anchor and departed along with the MV Farrandoc. MS Therron put in her appearance on 25 July and offloading her cargo, which consisted of frozen and chilled foods began.

The overall operation proceeded with remarkable smoothness. Both hold-to-dock and hold-to-barge off loading procedures were utilized. The transports carried their own vehicles which made the runs from dick to station loaded with supplies. As evidence of the magnitude of the program and the dispatch with which it was executed, 3,363 short tons were off loaded and stored within a 96 hour period.

Subsequent trips made by the MV Farrandoc brought this figure to 3,463 short tons with additional cargo programmed in October and November.

In addition to the acceptance of supplies, a definite effort was extended towards the elimination of surplus property on the station. Hercules Sales, Ltd., of Toronto, Ontario, Canada purchased 100,000 pounds of salvaged vehicles and scrap metals. Along with this "clean up" a total of 100 line items, weighing 18,000 pound were assembled, and made ready for retrograde shipment in October.

In the transportation area, 48 helicopter trips by Okanagan Helicopter Ltd. Transported 97,620 pounds of cargo and personnel from Goose Air Base to the station. Returning flights carried 69,104 pounds of cargo.

Civil Engineering:

During the reporting period the Civil Engineering section was constantly improving the station’s physical plant. Taking full advantage of the warmer season, outside activities were stepped up, with the result, that these three months saw a greater degree of overall accomplishment than any previous period within the calendar year.

Work projects were accomplished in all squadron areas and included a renovation to the section itself. The carpentry and plumbing shop areas were refurbished through the re-painting of heavy power equipments and a general relocation of storage bins and small supplies. The electrical shop was redesigned to include new storage bins and a more compact work area. Painting supplies and equipments, previously stored in the garage area were moved outside and located in an abandoned refrigerator box. Shelving, explosive-proof lighting and steam heating were installed in the box which converted it into a small but efficient paint storage and shop area in conformance with the code of National Underwriters. Personal comforts were not forgotten in the programming, and a new office facility and a renovated "break room" were completed. The office modifications improved working conditions and speeded up the processing of work order requests.

On 4 August personnel from the Dominion Construction Company, a contracted firm, began work on three projects which would extend past the reporting period. These projects were the installation of a new concrete floor, complete with an electrically heated outside drainage system, in the motor pool; rehabilitation of 40% of the stations roofs and repainting the main corridors throughout the station, to include color coding of steam, water, electrical and condensate return lines. By the close of the period work had progressed as follows: floor – 80% complete; roofs – 80% complete; repainting of corridors – 1% complete.

The 8^th Air Force’s Mobile Maintenance Team arrived on station 22 September and immediately began the relocation of installed Dining Hall equipment. By the end of the month this project was 80% complete. Additional projects scheduled for this team were: caulking of exterior joints in the station’s corridors; rehabilitation of dock warehouse facilities; modification of the POL line; enlarging the station theater; re-installation and electrical power line to the water pump house and the construction of office facilities in Tower #2. None of these projects were begun by the end of September and reports on their progress will be a matter of subsequent histories. Prior to the arrival of these work forces, considerable planning and programming was required of the CE sections. Materials received through SUNEC and normal delivery channels had to be separated, tagged and stored for each project. Routine improvements and maintenance continued apace with the special projects outlined above. New lighting was installed in the Operations Room. The road to the lower site area was provided with a hand fabricated drainage system to prevent "wash out" from occurring during the spring thaws. A complete inspection and necessary changes to tech and to base power were accomplished to insure sustained operation of communications and electronics equipments on tech power. Repairs to the Commanders and VIP quarters were accomplished and the seaplane dock was reinstalled.

Operations of the Heating Plant was improved through the installation of a much needed electric eye burner which supplies heat to the station system. Repainting of walls within the plant and color coding of associated piping was also completed during the period.

Power Plant personnel were involved in a general clean up program during the period. Copper tubing leading to the equipment was cleaned and buffed. Red walkways around equipment and control panels were repainted and the plant office was panelled with acoustic tile for the purpose of noise suppression.

William D MacMonagle, Major, USAF