Lowther, ON

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther, ON
1 July 1962 to 30 September 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

Harold L Peasley, 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

    19

    172

    9

    200

    		  
     

    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

    A change of command ceremony was held on 27 July 1962 at which time the squadron was turned over to Major Harold L Peasley, A058225. The Sault Ste. Marie Sector Commander, Colonel Richard W Davania, and several members of his staff were present. The Air Force Commendation Medal was awarded to Lt. Colonel Arthur A Fox for the outstanding job he had done during his command of the squadron.

    The assignment of eight new controllers has brought the operations room back up to strength. Captain Fred L McPherson, A01911669 assumed the operations officers job on 1 September 1962 upon the departure of Major John B Mulherron. Training was accelerated during August and September in preparation for the third NORAD wide Sky Shield exercise. The support activities participated in the exercise and the entire squadron functioned together very smoothly. Fighter support during missions has been good and training from both live and simulated exercises has been excellent.

    The percentage capability of the radar has dropped during August and September due to down time consumed during two depot level maintenance visits, conducted in preparation for SAGE integration.

    The AN/FPS-26-FD tower was accepted on 13 Aug 62. The completion date for the AN/FPS-27-FD search radar was moved up to 1 Jan 63 which is still three months ahead of the previous schedule.

    A third water well has been completed and the usual water shortage experienced during the fall months is not anticipated this year.

    With the coming of winter several on base activities have been planned. Three on base education classes have been started and an extensive sports program planned.

    The morale and welfare of the troops is good and relations with the civilian community remains excellent. During this reporting period the squadron has participated in several searches for lost hunters. The squadron organized and carried out a search for Mr. Frank J McSweeny who disappeared while hunting near the base. T/Sgt. Lindsay M Brawner, and S/Sgt. Cyril S Aroskin discovered the body on 13 Oct 62 after twenty-two days of searching. Letters of appreciation were received from the Towns Council of Hearst and Kapuskasing thanking the base personnel for their participation in the search.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Harold L Peasley, Major, USAF

    Signature