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

Personnel:

During the period of this report Major Rogers D Littlejohn, assumed command of the squadron. Other personnel changes included Captain Dugald Wilson, Operations Officer; Lt. Joseph Vallernari, Supply Officer; Lt. John A Adams, C&E Officer; Mr. Bob Odendaul, Site Engineer; and Lt. William Piper, Weapons Controller. The Personnel Officer, who was separated under the "Early Out" program, has not been replaced as yet, however, Lt. Van B Hall of the 30^th Air Division will assume the position of 15 April 1960. Manning in all other areas continues good and replacements have been received as needed.

Additional Personnel:

Air Installations has been short a Building Crafts Supervisor since November and a Refrigeration Specialist since February. These two position are considered very essential to the mission of the section and thereby created several problems during the reporting period. It was necessary to request a Refrigeration Specialist from an adjoining station to be sent TDY twice to pull preventative maintenance and once an emergency contact had to be let for emergency repair of our walk-in refrigerator in the Dining Hall. At the present time we expect a Building Crafts Supervisor to report in toward the end of April, however, this unit has received no word on a Refrigeration Specialist projected in to fill the present vacancy.

Facilities:

Housing is becoming a very critical problem area as far as facilities are concerned. At the end of the reporting period, there were only three billets available for NCO’s and five for airmen. In an extreme emergency eight additional billets could be provided for airmen by doubling up the NCO barracks, i.e., putting three men to a room within the NCO barracks, however, this is considered undesirable. To further complicate the problem it is anticipated that between 6 April 1960 and 27 April 1960 the unit will gain an additional three NCO’s and thirteen airmen. Personnel departing the station in April will not make room for these incoming personnel because only one of the thirteen leaving in April will depart before 30 April 1960. During the summer a new dormitory is programmed under the MCP program which will house 43 personnel, however, with the increase of personnel authorized under SAGE it is felt that this will only ease the problem and not correct it. At the present time the airmen are housed four to each 3 man room and three to each 2 man room which is a very undesirable situation.

Recreational facilities continue limited, however, a Multi-Purpose Recreational building is scheduled for construction in the summer which will contain a two-lane bowling alley and other recreational items. Another project, which, if approved, will help ease the recreational problem is a skating rink proposed by the 4602^nd Support Wing in the FY 61 Financial Plan.

A problem area which existed during the period covered by this report was an inoperative boiler in the power house. This boiler was out of commission during most of the period and left the unit with only one boiler to provide heat and hot water for the base. This situation was finally resolved when the 4602^nd Staff assistance team made arrangements to fly to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to pick up the necessary parts for the repair of this unit. At the end of the reporting period the boiler was again functioning properly.

In addition to the Recreational building and new dormitory scheduled for construction this summer, other projects programmed are an outdoor shed for motor vehicles, a power addition, and installation of the new AN/FPS-6B Radar set. The new power addition is scheduled for construction sometime during the late summer, however, after the other projects. A problem might arise here since it is felt that the present power supply is not sufficient to carry the additional load required by the new buildings.

Operations:

Operations during this period assumed the responsibility of monitoring the UHF, VHF and HF communication nets and set up a monitoring station in the operations building.

Training for the Directors and crews was carried on strenuously during the past three months. All directors have received approximately 40 hours of academic training in addition to the other phases of training performed. In all the Operations Section ran 289 live intercepts and 706 synthetic intercepts. The section also participated in three Category I Exercises and 8 Category II Exercises conducted by 30^th Air Division. In addition to these 12 Category I SSTM exercises and 6 Category II SSTM exercises were conducted and participated in by Operations.

In March the Assistant Operations Officer travelled to Kinchloe AFB to receive a briefing on the new NORAD/SAC Regulation 51-6 dealing with Intercept Tactics against SAC aircraft.

Flight Operations:

During the period of this report the aircraft L-20SA flew 107 hours and underwent one periodic maintenance check.

There are presently seven pilots assigned and one navigator. Captain Dugald W Eilson, Jr., is Flight Operations Officer succeeding 1^st Lt. William C Hepting.

Supply:

During the period of this report the Air Force Wide "Fence to Fence Inventory" was being accomplished. This inventory was called "Project Count" and required each Air Force unit to physically count all property on hand and declare all excesses to the appropriate agency. The Project was completed with ease at this station with little assistance required from higher headquarters. The excess items identified during the count were approximately 3000 in Tech Supply and 20 in Unit Supply. All these items have been declared for disposition instructions. Within the Supply Section it was found that approximately 100 items needed adjustment on the UAL and CAN/MEAL. This action has been taken.

Motor Pool:

All vehicles have been completely inspected and all necessary repairs accomplished on contract. Two vehicles were reported for salvage. These were the Weapons Carrier and the Power Wagon. Replacement vehicles were programmed in the near future.

Communications and Electronics:

The AN/TPS-502 Search Radar set was dismantled and sold for scrap during the period of this report to make room for the new FPS-6B radar set which will be installed sometime this summer. The AN/TPS-502 Height Finder set has a target date of 15 April 1960 for decommissioning. Presently the C&E section is preparing for the delivery of the FPS-6B and storage for about 1,500 cubic feet of equipment. All equipment has been functioning within its capability and only routine maintenance has been performed.

Inspections:

During this period the 4602^nd Support Wing from Ottawa performed a Staff Assistance visit to the Unit and the overall rating given the Squadron was Excellent. Each section visited received an excellent rating on procedures, policies, and condition with the exception of the Food Service Section and Medical Service. These two sections received a Good rating.

Awards and Decorations:

During the period of this report 1^st Lt. Louis V Scorpati, Supply Officer, and T/Sgt. Arthur Rodrigues, formerly of AIO, received the ADC Commendation Certificate for meritorious service to the Squadron. Lt. Scorpati was further recommended to 30^th Air Division for the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service during his tour of duty here.

Morale:

The morale of the squadron continued high and the co-operation between the local population and members of this squadron was maintained to the highest degree.

Rogers D Littlejohn, Major, USAF