Pagwa, ON

1958 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
913th AC&W Squadron
Pagwa River, ON
1 October 1958 to 31 December 1958

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

913th Squadron, Pagwa Air Station
Pagwa River, Ontario, Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Charles L Daniels, Jr., Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. 37th Air Division (Defense)
    4602nd Support Group
    Eastern Air Defense Force
    Air Defence Command
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • None
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • Authority: 37th ADIV Regulation 24-16, dated 16 January 1958
    Mission: To operate and maintain a Direction Center facility as part of the integrated air defense system of the 37th Air Division (Defense), for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within this system.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    15

    166

    4

    185

    		  
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		  
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    Radar and Communication Equipment

    AN/FPS-20A; 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 3ea (1 added).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    This quarter marks the end of "Project Wex Val". On 14 October, the last mission was completed by this station. An overall average of intercepts ran at a high of 92%, far above any expectations. The manual system has proven itself to be effective and with the advent of SAGE, this country’s defensive capability should be all the more enhanced.

    A transitory feeling of let-down was noted on the station after the last mission’s completion. However, as of the closing of this quarter, morale has picked up slightly and the feeling of let-down has almost vanished.

    Operationally, training missions have been initiated to maintain operational efficiency. Missions designated as "Big Blast", "Wise Up", and "Grand Slam" have been participated in by this station.

    A complete change-over in key personnel has again been experienced. The Commander, Executive Officer, Adjutant, Operations Officer, C&E Officer and three controllers have rotated during this period. Over-lap periods were sufficient and no operational capability was lost to this change.

    During this period the contract was completed on the renovation of the base heating system. This system supposedly allows for better control of temperature by having thermostats both indoors and outdoors, with the indoor thermostat over-riding the outdoor. The septic tanks have been cleaned and the installation completed on the water softener in the heating plant. This softener should prevent much of the trouble experienced from having deposits from the water clogging the pipes as in the past.

    Stock levels were set up on the UPA-35 scopes and on all of the base washing machines. A project was started to pull back all non-bench stock items from the Power House and the Motor Pool. These items will be warehoused in Unit Supply and a stock control card maintained on each item. Contracts were made with different organizations for disposal of the old AN/FPS-3 surplus radar set. The project to dispose of surplus items is approximately 35% complete.

    Community relations stay at a very high level. Christmas programs were conducted for the local children and small gifts were given at that time. A social gathering was held in the Officer’s Lounge for key civilians to meet the new officer personnel.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Charles L Daniels, Jr., Major, USAF

    Signature