Lowther, ON

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther, ON
1 October 1962 to 31 December 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

    18

    190

    9

    217

    		  
     

    Attached

    2

    1

    0

    3

    		  
                 
  • 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 with 33 line units; 2 Teletype AN/FGC-20; 1 Data Transmitter AN/FST-2B; 1 Teletype AN/FGC-25; 3 Radio VHF BC640 BC639; 4 Radio UHF Multi Channel AN/GRC-27; 1 Crypto Account; 11 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRR-7; 6 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRT-3; 1 Tddl AN/GKA-5; 1 High Power Amp AN/FRT-49; 2 Radio Transmitters AN/FRT-502; 4 Radio Receivers AN/URC-60;

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    SAGE conversion is starting to play a larger role in all Squadron planning and decision making. Most of the facilities required for SAGE are completed or are well along. Technicians from numerous companies are on station and SAGE subsystems testing began during November.

    The Squadron’s readiness was tested during the Cuban crisis. The equipment and men of the 639th were ready and met all requirements.

    Control intercept training was not completed during the quarter due to curtailment of training during the Cuban crisis and subsequent DLM overhaul of the radar equipment.

    The station’s technical load was converted from commercial power to diesel in October.

    Training has included formal classes on the AN/FPS-26A, AN/GKA-5 and a RHI operator course.

    Major General Frederick R Terrell visited the site on 28 November 1962. He was accompanied by Colonel Davania and several other staff members.

    Site turn over to the RCAF has progressed through the planning stages and first actions have been taken by supply and personnel. The project officer, Lieutenant Charles M Huntington Jr., is using the PERT System to monitor all phase out actions.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Harold L Peasley, Major, USAF

    Signature