Pagwa, ON

913^th Squadron, Pagwa Air Station
Pagwa River, Ontario, Canada

Rogers D Littlejohn, Major, USAF

Radar and Communication Equipment

AN/FPS-20A; AN/GPX-7A; AN/GRC-27 5ea; AN/FRT-501 4ea; AN/FRT-502 2ea; AN/GRR-7 2ea; AN/FRT-503 1ea; AN/GRT-3 2ea; CR-91A 4ea; URG-60 5ea.

Command:

Major Rogers D Littlejohn assumed command of the squadron on 30 March 1960 and remained in command of the squadron for the entire quarter.

Personnel:

1^st Lt. Van B Hall assumed the position of Personnel Officer on 15 April 1960. During the quarter several manning problems developed because of the slowness of replacements to arrive at the squadron. Towards the end of the quarter the Radar Operations section’s manning fell to under 75% of their authorized strength and a critical shortage of supervisory personnel developed. Although this low manning did not interfere with mission requirements it cut down the average strength of each crew and decreased the number of airmen available for KP and other squadron duties. Manning in the Radar Maintenance section also fell considerably below authorized strength by the end of the quarter. For a time it appeared as though we would require emergency assistance in the food service function but the manning in this area eventually increased until it became equal to authorized strength. In the Outpatient function our undermanning resulted in several Medics being sent in for 30 days TDY to enable us to keep the medics on the station. The assignment of a buildings crafts supervisor aided the AIO function but a refrigeration and Air Conditioning Specialist has still not been assigned to us.

Manpower:

Generally the authorizations provided by our UMD fulfils our requirements. However, we are carrying five authorized positions in the Ground Radio Operations field that are not required while we need an authorization for a five level administrative clerk in Unit Administration, a 60151 Freight Traffic Specialist in Unit Supply and additional 293X0 spaces in telephone and teletype communications.

Civilian Personnel:

Father Alexander Roland, SJ, was appointed to serve as contractual Roman Catholic Chaplain for the station during the quarter.

Operations:

During the quarter the Operations section carried out the mission assigned to the station. Since there were no unknown aircraft picked up by the station the operations section conducted a continual training program. 156 actual and 507 synthetic intercepts were made by personnel at the station, four airmen were upgraded from 27330 to 27350A, and the amount of training per crew member averaged over 37 hours per man. The section also completed nine actual training missions and 39 SSTM exercises.

Since this squadron has been placed under the SSMADS telephone channels have been relocated to give us direct lines to section. Changes were also made in scramble and other operational procedures due to the station assignment to a SAGE Section.

The unusual situation of having a manual site work directly with and under the control of a SAGE sector has created several problem areas. Sector and station staffs are studying and correcting the difficulties in the hand over of fighters from SAGE to Manual control and their return to SAGE control and in the controlling responsibilities of the SAGE and Manual controllers, in the forward telling of tracks to the manual inputs section at the SAGE sector.

Communications and Electronics:

During this quarter the AN/TPS-502 height finder was decommissioned as scheduled on 15 April 1960. After that date the squadron had no height finding capability. The most serious problem confronting the C&E section was a shortage of X-80 tubes for the AN/FPS-20A. This was not created because of local conditions but was due to certain problems at the initial supply source. For several days we were able to keep only one channel of the radar set on the air but this was sufficient to perform our mission. At the present time both channels are working and spare tubes are on hand. All other communications and electronic equipment is working satisfactorily.

Flight Operations:

We have only one L-20 assigned to the station. We have over flown our allocated flying time every month this quarter. Over 90% of the flying was done for support requirements. We currently have seven pilots and one navigator assigned to the squadron. Due to our lack of transportation facilities our airplane becomes very important in emergency situations.

Medical and Dental:

The health of the airmen on the station was generally excellent. The leading cause of sickness were infections of the upper respiratory system. No cases of VD were reported during the period. To meet our critical personnel shortage in the Dispensary 30^th Air Division assigned several medics to the squadron on 30 days TDY. A Dental Officer was on the station during May. Several airmen were evacuated by air to the USAF hospital at Kinchloe AFB. One of the leading problems in this area is the control of insects. Mosquito’s and Black Flies area a continual threat and constant spraying must be accomplished to cut down the insect population.

Facilities:

Due to the decrease in our manning airman’s barrack space is not as critical as it was previously. However, many airmen are still assigned three or four men per two man room which creates many personal hardships. Space in the Officers quarters is limited. The Officers assigned to the station are living in sub-standard conditions and the commander has been forced to order civilian contractors to provide their own living accommodations for their workers. The construction of the new barracks will alleviate the situation for the airmen but no provision has been made for BOQ space.

Recreational facilities continue to be limited. A combination volleyball and tennis courts was fenced in during the quarter and local plans are progressing for the construction of a hockey rink. The multipurpose recreational building has not been started at this date.

Refrigeration equipment became another problem area during the quarter. Since we receive our food supplies only twice a week our refrigeration must be in excellent working order to maintain acceptable sanitary standards. Several times during the last quarter the equipment broke down and had to be fixed by untrained airmen since civilian contractors were not available. Civilian contractors made several visits to work on the equipment but the assignment of a refrigeration or equipment cooling specialist is desperately needed.

Motor Pool:

Our Motor Pool is equipped only to perform minor maintenance on our vehicles. During the last quarter several vehicles were deadlined for lack of parts for an extended period due to the problem of having the required parts delivered to the base. The isolated nature of the station renders it almost impossible for civilian contractors to perform major maintenance on our vehicles. The utilization of our vehicles often requires the use of mechanics as drivers and the assignment of three level personnel often results in serious OJT problems.

Awards and Decorations:

During the quarter SM/Sgt. James L Stuart, Sr., was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for duty at his previous assignment.

Inspector General:

Our inspector general received no noteworthy complaints during the period. An indication of the high state of morale.

Discipline:

There were no court martials or Article 15’s, however two non-commissioned officers were placed on the control roster for failing to fulfil the requirements of AFR 39-6.

Special Services:

Additional special services equipment was received during the quarter. Four outboard motors and four Plexiglas boats aided the fishermen of the squadron, while weights, a bicycle exerciser, and a rowing machine aided the physical culture enthusiasts. For the softball fanatics, a very successful intramural competition was held with over 110 of the 130 officers and airmen assigned to the squadron actually playing on one of the six teams. The squadron also attempted to assist the hunters and fishermen by improving the "bush" road running out to Canadian Route 11.

Morale:

Morale at this organization continues to be high despite the isolated nature of the organization. Major contributions to keeping morale at this high level were made by the food service facilities, and the three clubs on the station. The tour length of only 12 months also aided the morale of most of the officers and men assigned to the station.

Rogers D Littlejohn, Major, USAF