Puntzi Mountain, BC

917th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

Murrell F Neblett, Major

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

History of the 917^th AC&W Squadron
1 October 1960 to 31 December 1960

Accomplishments –

On the 10^th of October 1960, this organization was visited by Brigadier General Gillespie. During a cocktail party in his honor the General presented Lt. Wolf with orders promoting him to the rank of Captain.

General Gillespie departed this station on the 11^th of October 1960 after inspecting all units of the 917^th. The Generals visit was part of a staff visit to all the Canadian sites under his command.

Personnel – The new Commander of the 4602^nd Support Wing (ADC), Colonel Veneziano, paid an informal visit to this organization, on the 3r^d of December 1960, in an effort to familiarize himself with the men and units that he attained in assuming command.

Visits –

Major General Shores, Commander of the 25^th Air Division, attempted to visit this organization during the Christmas season but due to persistently inclement weather he was unable to land. Before returning to McChord he radioed his best wishes to the officers and airmen of the 917^th AC&W Squadron.

Accomplishments and Personnel –

During the month of October this site was visited by a team of people from the Canadian Electronics office. During their visit they calibrated and checked all the radar equipment.

Three live training missions were run during the month of October with a high success rate. In November a no notice live mission was called and lasted 23 hours. We had a large commitment of fighters and we had a 100% kill rate.

Equipment –

In November the standby 502 height finder was dismantled, having been replaced by the fully operational FPS-6B.

Training –

The files in the operations training section were screened and eventually reduced to ½ of the original volume. All records were checked and made current.

A movie projector was acquired to be used as an aid to training.

An airman of the month program was planned and initiated in October. It has helped raise the morale.

Accomplishments –

All technical and supply problems were resolved and facilities accepted during October with a visit by CAE.

The radar maintenance received an "Excellent" rating during the 4602^nd staff visit.

The communication section had a normal maintenance period and received a "Satisfactory" rating during the 4602^nd staff visit.

Both the radar and communication sections have reached very high standards in administration and maintenance.

Equipment –

The AN/FPS-502 was decommissioned and disposed of in accordance with instruction received from the 4602^nd Support Wing.

A new control scope was received and installed by the maintenance section. This increased out control capabilities and efficiency in aircraft handling.

A new circuit was installed in order to aid and facilitate missions debriefing.

Accomplishments –

A complete supply inventory was accomplished and $6,000 worth of excess supplies was returned to the RCAF depot.

The second quarter procurement program was accomplished according to our forecast and expenditures. For the first half of the fiscal year this squadron was within 5% of the financial program.

Personnel – The supply section has finally received additional personnel which brings this section up to authorized strength for the first time in a year.

Accomplishments – So far, the winter of 1960 has been the mildest in history. The duties of installation has been very light because of the lack of snow and icing combination. There has been a minimum of frozen pipes and radiators for us to deal with.

Maintenance –

In the maintenance field many contracts were accomplished. (1) Operations Steam lines were repaired. (2) The electrical distribution line was modified. (3) Building #1, 2 and 10 were re-roofed. (4) A 25 Kilovolt generator was installed in the hanger on the flight line. (5) Skirts of aluminum were constructed and connected to all the trailers in an attempt to standardize the appearance of the trailer court.

Construction – Construction of building projects are running behind schedule but will be completed by early summer.

Special Services –

A ping-pong tournament was organized by the special service section and ran during the month of October. S/Sgt. Elwood Burning won the championship in a play off between himself and T/Sgt. Stefan Churniak who placed second.

In November the special service section received sleds, toboggans and ice skates and they are all being used by squadron personnel. An ice rink was constructed by special service under the supervision of Lt. Jackson. This rink is being enjoyed by military and civilian personnel and is a help in bettering community relations. It is hoped that a hockey team will be formed in the near future.

In a show of good relations, the RCAF supplied an airlift for the Puntzi Mountain basketball team. They were transported to the RCAF air station at Comox. The team won two of the three games played.

The quarter covered by the report was a period of advancement and adjustment for the 917^th Squadron. Many projects were started and are on the way to completion. The family living area was cleaned and beautified with the addition of aluminum skirts added to all the trailers.

Outdoor sports were enjoyed by the squadron personnel. Ice skating parties were formed and the list of casualties was satisfyingly low.

Christmas leaves were available to most of the squadron personnel and a holiday schedule was in effect for those that remained.

The 917^th looks forward to the new year with vigor and better prospects than ever before.

Prepared By: Edward W Landolf, 1^st Lt., Historical Officer