Pagwa, ON

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

Howard M Namur, Major, USAF

Radar and Communication Equipment

AN/FPS-3C; AN/FPS-502; AN/TPS-502; AN/GRC-27 3ea; AN/FRT-501 4ea; AN/FRT-502 2ea; AN/FRT-503 1ea; AN/GRR-7 2ea; AN/GRT-3 2ea; CR-91A 4ea.

During the period of this report the most pronounced aspect has been the replacement of all key staff officers with the exception of the Supply Officer within a period of two weeks. From 7 January to 19 January a new Commander, Executive Officer, Adjutant, Operations Officer and C&E Officer were assigned to this station. The change over was accomplished quite smoothly with the exception of the Executive Officer and the Adjutant who had only a few hours briefing before assuming the duties of their positions.

The manning picture of the unit as a whole had suffered from neglect. The early release program of the second and third quarter of FY 58 had allowed many airmen to be released as much as six months in advance of the arrival of their replacements. This caused many sections of the unit to be extremely short of personnel in that these personnel were not reported for replacement on part 5 of the P-21 Report to EADF. Headquarters EADF, was made aware of the situation and promised relief just as quickly as airmen could be programmed to this unit. By the end of this quarter, manning was almost at the authorized strength and the unit was functioning more efficiently as a result.

Community relations with the local inhabitants and with authorities in Kapuskasing, Nakina, and Hearst, Ontario is excellent. There has been no animosity between the station and the community that has come to my attention. The Canadians are friendly trustworthy people and very easy to work in harmony with. The practice of inviting the leading people of the community to the Officer’s Lounge for small social gatherings has continued and has been reciprocated by the civilian leaders. Very amiable relations has thus been established.

In the maintenance and supply area several special projects had to be initiated to procure items that were urgently needed. Office furniture was below an acceptable standard during this period and a special requisition was submitted for chairs, desks, and other office equipment. A special requisition was made to local purchase new washing machines and dryers in that the present ones were completely unserviceable and there was only one washing machine in operation on the entire station for airmen to wash their clothing. A special requisition was also accomplished in March to obtain indoors and outdoors athletic equipment for Special Services. This project included a pool table with all accessories, softball equipment and numerous small items.

Of seventeen vehicles assigned to this station in January, six were operational. By the end of March, all but two vehicles were again operational. A heavy work schedule had to be maintained, working eight to twelve hours a day, seven days a week. As soon as the work was caught up, these individuals were given compensatory time off.

The equipment performance in so far as the operational type equipment has been good for this quarter. The radar equipment has been performing adequately. In the Communications Section the main frame in the Center was rewired and a complete modification of the inter-comm in operations was performed. The EE-8 system was completely removed from the station.

The facilities on the station are considered inadequate in so far as quarters for the airmen are concerned and recreational areas. At present there are three to four airmen sleeping per room and the only recreational facility is a small recreation hall in which a pool table and two table tennis tables are located. A small room in the rear of the Orderly Room has been converted into a gymnasium but is considered grossly inadequate. Projects for construction of a gymnasium and an additional barracks have been submitted to Detachment 1, Ottawa, Canada, our logistics support group.

Normal operation type training has continued at a maximum effort to insure that all Directors are qualified. A routine training schedule has been set up for both Directors and airmen. SOP’s and training directives have been brought up to date. A major dias modification was performed in the Operations Building which resulted in providing more space in which to set up and operate the equipment.

Unit morale has apparently increased in the past three months. Reports from several visitors who have also visited the other sites state that the morale at this station is considerably higher than at the other sites. This rise in morale is attributed to the policy of taking an interest in the welfare of the airmen and also using firm disciplinary action whenever necessary. Very little disciplinary action has been necessary.

Howard M Namur, Major, USAF