Lowther, ON

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther, ON
1 April 1962 to 30 June 1962

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther Air Station, Lowther, Ont., Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Arthur A Fox, Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. Sault Ste. Marie Air Defence Sector
    30th Air Division (SAGE)
    Air Defense Command
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • None
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • To operate and maintain a Direction Center facility as part of the integrated Air Defense System of the 30th Air Division (SAGE) for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within this system.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    18

    143

    9

    170

    		  
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		  
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    1 Search Radar AN/MPS-7 in Arctic tower; 1 Height Radar AN/MPS-14 in Arctic tower; 1 IFF AN/GPX-20A; 1 Video Mapper AN/GPA-30; 1 Telephone Equipment AN/GTA-6A; 2 Teletype AN/FGC-20; 1 Teletype AN/FGC-25; 3 Radio VHF BC640 BC639; 4 Radio UHF Multi Channel AN/GRC-27; 1 Crypto Account; 4 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRR-7; 4 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRT-3;

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    The operations section has continued to function at a high state of readiness. A shortage of controllers and a large turn over of personnel during this period has required a more diligent effort on the part of those assigned and a vigorous training program to orient the new personnel to their duties. Exercises conducted were satisfactory and fighter support was good. All controllers are combat ready.

    The Division IG team conducted their semi-annual inspection during May. The squadron was rated satisfactory. The auditors conducted a complete audit of all appropriated and non-appropriated accounts during June. There were no major problem areas.

    Preliminary planning has begun for site phase out. Manning has been carefully screened and several extensions and or curtailments of tours requested in order to insure adequate manning through phase out. Purchasing and replacement of equipment is being held to a minimum since all will be turned over to the Canadians on 1 July 1963.

    A strike of the carpenters local union during May temporarily held up construction of the SAGE facilities. A picket line was set up at the entrance to the base and during the strike it was manned around the clock.

    Construction on the base road was resumed and it is scheduled to be completed in July.

    The C&E section kept the site capability at 98% during the period and now has 8329 hours on its record setting magnetron.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Arthur A Fox, Major, USAF

    Signature