Puntzi Mountain, BC

917th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Williams Lake, BC, Canada

Riley E Patrick, Major

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

History of the 917^th AC&W Squadron
January 1961 to 31 March 1961

The big event of this quarter was the assumption of command of the 917^th AC&W Squadron and Puntzi Mountain Air Station by Major Riley E Patrick, vice Major Murrell F Neblett, on 11 March 1961. Major Patrick was assigned to the 917^th AC&W Squadron from Headquarters Seattle Air Defense Sector. Major Neblett was reassigned as Commander of the 4625t^h Support Group (SAGE), Adair Air Force Station, Oregon. A change in command ceremony was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions. Brigadier General Gillespie was to officiate at this ceremony.

Also during this period, a new administrative and personnel officer was assigned, 1^st Lt. Gary A Johnson, effective on 29 March 1961. Lt. Johnson succeeded Captain John S Gardner who was reassigned to Headquarters, 25^th Air Division. Lt. Johnson was assigned to the 917^th AC&W Squadron from the 4635^th Support Squadron (SAGE), Larson AFB, Washington.

The orderly room and the administrative officer’s office were remodelled to include partitions. These partitions greatly enhance the appearance of both offices, and relieve the congestion which occurred prior to their installation.

A publications distribution office for the station was established during this period. All forms and publications utilized throughout the station will now be located, distributed and requisitioned from one centrally located point.

In early March our control capability was increased with the addition of a third UPA-35 control scope, and more than seven hundred live intercepts were completed during the reporting period.

The squadron participated in ten live air defense exercises, including an ADC ORI, conducted on 18 and 19 March 1961. During this ORI, the control section distinguished itself with a 100 percent successful positioning rate, and the surveillance section did a fine job detecting all targets penetrating the 917^th’s area of responsibility.

One of the significant achievements given special mention by the ORI Team Chief in his report was the excellence of our mission briefings and debriefings, which were conducted under the direction of Major Kenneth L Gordon, Operations Officer. Also noted were the unusually high test scores achieved on the written examinations by the intercept directors and their associated technicians which, in the words of the inspectors, reflected upon a fine training program and a high state of training. Office test averages were 96.2% and the ICT’s scored an average of 92.7%.

The addition of two nine level NCO’s and the upgrading of two directors to "skilled" have added depth and experience to our operations staff. With our presently strong nucleus, to be augmented in the coming months by other experienced operations personnel, we face the future with bright prospects for progressively greater mission effectiveness.

The C&E section has completed many projects during the reporting period; among them was the installation of twenty-one, ten-line communications units in the operations room which either replaced obsolete communications units or were new installations to provide additional communications. A complete radio air-to-ground IRAN was performed in January, and the patch panel at the transmitter building was completely rewired.

Radar Maintenance lost its longest life QK-338A magnetron tube on 28 February 1961. Life for the tube was 2670 hours.

An AT/309/GPX IFF-SIF antenna arrived in March and will be installed by radar personnel in April 1961.

HF net 52 and 53 were discontinued on 15 February 1961 in compliance with instructions received from 25^th Air Division; however, the equipment will remain in place pending determination of future HF requirements.

1^st Lt. Jack C Coleman, Radar Maintenance Officer, was reassigned to McChord AFB, Washington. He was replaced by 1^st Lt. Richard C Van Wagoner, effective 20 March 1961.

During this period, three projects; Project Let Loose, Project Big Divide and Project Money Tree resulted in inventories and equipment utilization surveys which identified excess supplies and equipment and provided for their redistribution.

Two airmen reporting for duty created a rare and welcome temporary over-strength situation. The supply section took full advantage of the situation by providing cross training for its personnel and a review and purification of records and publications.

Numerous construction and remodelling projects were underway during the past quarter, with many projects completed or nearing completion at the close of the reporting period.

Construction has been completed on three metal buildings, two fuel oil pump houses and one paint storage building, thus removing previously existing fire prone buildings.

Construction is nearing completion on a dormitory, multi-purpose building and car heated auto storage building. Take over date has been estimated at 15 May 1961.

Airmen and NCO dining areas were completely remodelled during this period with new acoustic ceilings, papered walls, mahogany wainscot, planter dividers and salad bars.

A partition was built for both the orderly room and administrative officer’s office to screen areas from public access and enhance appearance. In addition, the theater doors were completely remodelled and fitted with panic bars for easy exit. Numerous other minor maintenance projects were accomplished during this period to barracks and other permanent buildings.

Mild winter weather with frequent periods of freeze and thaw have caused runway heaving and severe road damage.

Highlighting the sports activities for the past three months was the Squadron’s championship win in the Seattle Air Defense Sector’s basketball tournament held on 9 February 1961 at McChord Air Force Base. This was the first time that a USAF AC&W Squadron located in Canada had won a Sector Tournament. Our squadron is justifiably proud of the fine showing made by our team, especially since the team won under a severe handicap with no gymnasium facilities available for basketball practice.

The station’s high spirited but inexperienced hockey team provided many thrills for local hockey fans during the past three months. A total of seven games were played with teams from the surrounding area. The ice rink has been enlarged and improved to a considerable degree. A sawdust foundation was provided and a six inch border installed. Plans are under study to raise a four foot fence around the entire 200 foot by 80 foot rink.

Early in March the Chilanko Gun Club sponsored and ice fishing derby on Puntzi Lake in which two of our airmen won prizes.

During this period the unit fund property, supply property and station library were inventoried and records brought up to date. A program was initiated on 15 March 1961 to re-mark and renumber all unit fund property. Five of our twelve fishing boats have been repainted and marked for the forthcoming fishing season. Our fishing boat motors are also being repaired and placed in good working order.

An ADC Welfare Fund Grant of $500 was received for the purchase of a new fishing boat and motor. Our special services cargo truck was turned in for salvage on 29 March after providing us with many months of useful service.

As of 31 March our squadron radio station, WTPM, under the supervision of 1^st Lt. Raymond Sylvain and airmen volunteer workers had completed 888 hours of continuous broadcasting in its marathon march toward a record 1000 hours of continuous broadcasting.

This reporting period was marked by change and progress. Personnel turnover has been large, as usual, including the assignment of a new Commanding Officer, Administrative Officer and Radar Maintenance Officer.

Construction has progressed rapidly with several new buildings due for completion early in the next quarter.

Although the 917^th received a satisfactory rating on the Operational Readiness Inspection, held 18-19 March, the squadron performed outstandingly in such important areas as MA success rate, detection of targets and academic standing.

Morale during this period has been excellent. Special Services has provided a wide variety of athletic and recreational activities, and the Officer and NCO Open Messes have sponsored frequent social functions.

Base relations with the few Canadian citizens who inhabit this isolated area have been warm and cordial. Local residents have frequently been our guests at base functions, and they have in turn reciprocated by welcoming the United States Air Force into their community.

Prepared By: James W Foister Jr., Captain, Historical Officer