Puntzi Mountain, BC

917th AC&W Squadron,
Puntzi Mountain, BC

Edmund M Bouchard, Captain

AN/FPS-3, AN/TPS-502, AN/TPS-6

Historical Record
917^th AC&W Squadron
1 January through 31 March 1959

Accomplishments – A record time totalling five months without any personnel accounting discrepancies was maintained during this period.

Community Relations –

An excellent relationship with the British Columbia game commission has been established through the district game warden.

The commander was presented a letter of commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in appreciation for the personnel that took part in a search for a woman reportedly lost in the area of Tatla Lake.

A giant step toward cementing a friendly relationship with the local Canadians was in the form of a dance held on base April 11. The many who attended are anxiously anticipating another similar event in the future.

Modifications –

The Systems Training Program was installed at this station during the month of January with the first problem run on January 13. All necessary communications have been installed and simulation personnel have been trained. STP has proved to be a valuable training aid in developing the operational efficiency of the various crews.

A Controllers Information file has been established in operations in accordance with WADFR 55-10 and 55-10A. This project was completed in conjunction with a complete inventory of all classified information in the operations section. Over 100 obsolete classified documents have been properly destroyed and all classified documents retained have been accomplished on ADC Form 278A.

On 2 March 1959 this station was placed under the operational control of the 25^th Air Division. Under the master-slave concept this station tells surveillance information to the 825^th Squadron at Kamloops, British Columbia. The realignment of the 25^th Air Division was outlined in Secret Message 25 ONT-13/130-6 dated 28 February 1959.

A new controller surveillance dias has been installed which gives the controller and the battle staff an unobstructed view of the plotting board. Installation of two ten key 6TA6 boxes and 1 five key NE612 box will complete the communications on the dias.

Personnel – The 4^th quarter fiscal 59 UMD for this station was received during this period. Additional authorization under this UMD brings the total personnel authorized in the operations section to nine officers and seventy-three airmen. Personnel authorization is now considered to be compatible with the squadron mission.

Training -

A series of examinations have been developed to be used with the operations OJT program. Individual and composite crew results are valuable in evaluating the quality of OJT and in stressing the various subjects within the package program.

An extensive director training program was established in March for the scheduled WADF Tactical Evaluation. Weekly director meetings were used as training periods during which regulations, tactics and aircraft performances were discussed.

STP films proved to be a valuable aid in developing surveillance and plotting proficiency. The light traffic loads encountered at this station are not sufficient to permit training in Taylor Procedures on midnight shifts. Therefore, the films are utilized to exercise crews on Taylor Plotting procedures.

Problems – The Communications-Electronics section encountered a major problem this quarter in the loss of telephone service to the contonment area. Investigation by communications personnel and Mr. Ranniger and use of equipment from the British Columbia Telephone Company helped isolate the trouble – a hole in the 150 pair cable underground near the Operations area.

Personnel – The need still exists for several "7 level" personnel in our Radar Maintenance section and a clerk for the C&E section.

Radar Maintenance – Personnel were given OJT on the 15-J-1C by a representative from CAE and Mr. Wehner instructed personnel on the theory of operation of the new SIF equipment.

Radio Maintenance – Personnel have been spending two weeks in the Wire Maintenance branch for the purpose of learning about internal plant maintenance.

Problems – The past quarter was indeed a rare one for this area with temperatures well above average for this whole period. Considerable icing on roads and in the area made "sanding" necessary. Over 150 cubic yards of sand were used during the winter as compared to a normal 20 cubic yards.

Modifications –

Rooms in barracks #4 were modified with the addition of one clothes locker and chest of drawers to accommodate further men. This was necessary due to an acute shortage of billeting space. This situation will continue to exist until extra barracks (programmed for FY 60 MCP) are available.

Shower rooms and latrines in all of the enlisted men’s barracks have been renovated by contract and now a pleasant appearance replaces the previously drab look. The installation of tile showers and wallboard was a part of "Project Shape-Up".

New dining hall equipment has been installed and has improved that facility operationally. Numerous items of equipment are scheduled for replacement during FY 60 as said items become unserviceable due to age.

Accomplishments and Projects -

During this period the squadron acquired six 5 ½ HP motors and two additional boats in preparation for the approaching fishing season. Fishing is one of the primary leisure activities of squadron personnel and we are now receiving adequate material support for this type of recreation.

Organization of a squadron softball team has been initiated and concurrent with the desires of the Air Force physical fitness program, emphasis is being placed on off-duty athletic activities for everyone.

With the advent of spring the morale of all assigned personnel has risen sharply.

The squadron is capably performing its assigned mission in the best of Air Force Standards.