Lowther, ON

639^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Lowther Air Station, Lowther, Ont., Canada

Leo R Scoles, Captain, USAF

1 Search Radar AN/MPS-7 in Arctic tower; 1 Height Radar AN/MPS-14 in Arctic tower; 1 IFF AN/GPX-20 less SIF equipment; 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 Radio HF AN/GRC-26A; 1 Crypto Account; 4 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRR-7 AN/GRT-3;

Major Allen had completed his tour of duty at Lowther at the end of March 1958 and was relieved of his duties and had returned to the United States. The command was assumed by Captain Leo R Scoles, A0 1337894.

The EADF Inspector General’s team arrived to give the base its first inspection on 14 April. Major Lawrence F Allard, who was assisted by two officers and five airmen, conducted the four day inspection. It covered the irregularities and deficiencies found in personnel and administration, Supply, Ground Electronics Maintenance and Motor Pool. The general evaluation stated:

"The unit has not been assigned an operational mission in the Air Defense Net. The prime radars AN/FPS-3 and AN/FPS-6, are installed, but have not been accepted. Pending correction of existing deficiencies and return of excess items of equipment, Detachment 1, ADC, is holding equipment acceptance in abeyance. Approximately 85% of the USE equipment has been received. Supply support throughout the "N" account is excellent. Action has not been started to establish a Technical Supply prior to acceptance of the electronic equipment. Warehouse space is adequate and supply storage was above average. Personnel retention and disaster control programs were not in effect. In addition, personnel were not receiving security tests for the required security briefings and indoctrination. Excellent maintenance routines have been established for installed radar equipment. Assistance and guidance was provided to establish maintenance routines for programmed equipments (teletype, radio and internal communications). An intensive training program was effectively being administered to operations personnel. Synthetic training units, UPS-T4 and AN/GPS-T2, have not been programmed. It is recommended that action be initiated to obtain these equipments to insure a minimum training capability".

The Auditor General team from Selfridge AFB, Michigan, under the direction of Captain Charles H McClure, conducted an audit of the squadron. The summation stated:

"The activities of most accounts have been limited in scope due to the squadron’s unoperational and limited manpower status. However, at the present time full operation and manning is soon to be accomplished, indicating that all accounts and funds will be fully operational in the future".

One of the airmen married the daughter of a very influential citizen in May. The reception was held in the Service Club with 300 local people in attendance.

On the 27^th of May, a group of teachers from the Hearst Public School System were taken on a conducted tour of the base.

The base entered a team in the Northern Ontario Fastball Association. Nearly 200 people attended these games each night. Five members of the site'’ team were selected for the league All Star team.

The first issue of the base newspaper, "The Pine Line" was printed on the 30^th of May.

On the 6^th of June, one teletype circuit was installed and put into operation immediately. The installation of indoor and outdoor telephone plant equipment was finished the same day. On the 11^th of June this station was placed on a limited operational status in an order from Headquarters NORAD through the 37^th Air Division.

An urgent appeal for an extremely rare type blood was made to this station by a hospital in Hearst on June 15^th. A/2C Edward Havholm, the only one in the area who possessed this rare type was instrumental in saving the life of a seven year old child when he consented to the transfusion.

The 4602^nd Support Group of Ottawa, formerly known as Detachment 1, paid a technical staff visit on the 23^rd of June. The purpose was to check on construction and installation before contracts with different firms terminated. The base received a satisfactory rating.

The quarter came to a close, all telephone, teletype and radio circuits were being monitored and radio surveillance had begun. C&E received a 90% overall facility acceptance and the base is continuing on a limited operational status.

Leo R Scoles, Captain, USAF