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
1 April 1961 to 30 June 1961

A staff assistance visit was conducted by the 4602^nd Support Wing during the period 11 April 1961 through 16 April 1961. All support functions received a very fine report from the team.

On 1 June 1961, all personnel records of the squadron were consolidated at 325^th Air Base Group, McChord AFB, Washington under the mechanized system of personnel reporting and accounting.

A period of change, re-evaluation and improvement best describes activities in the operations section for this reporting period.

Personnel turnover has been great. On 27 April, Captain James W Foister, Jr. replaced Major Kenneth L Gordon as Operations Officer. Major Gordon was reassigned to the 552^nd AEW&C Wing. Captain Foister served as interim Operations Officer pending the arrival of Captain William J O’Brien on 5 June from Portland Sector.

Weapons Controller manning has increased while the number of assigned 273X0 airmen has dropped to 62% of authorized UMD strength.

1^st Lt. Robert E Jackson was rotated at the ZI in April. 1^st Lt. Robert G Mitchell, a qualified 1741A, arrived in May, followed by Captain Gene D Curry, a recent Weapons Controller School graduate, in June. Two more weapons controllers are programmed in during the next quarter with only one anticipated loss. At the close of this quarter there is no relief in sight for the 273X0 under strength condition.

Numerous projects have been completed. To improve operating efficiency. The operations classified inventory has been streamlined and substantially reduced. A re-evaluation of past operating procedures has been the basis for re-arranging the Weapons Assignment Director’s position, re-routing certain internal communications lines and a complete revision of the Operations Instructions File.

The 917^th participated in seven sector and region live exercises and achieved a 94% successful interceptor positioning rate.

Operations training proceeds well. Weapons Controllers have completed many times over the minimum live intercept requirements at the half year point. Academic training and cross training completed far exceeds the prorate share for this period.

Several projects are in the mill and should be completed during the next quarter.

The training section will relocate in another office to relieve overcrowded conditions in the operations office.

All operations room status boards will be reconditioned. Lines with lettering will be repainted.

Operations office functions will be reapportioned, delegating specific responsibilities for each administrative activity.

During this period, two officers were assigned to the C&E section. 1^st Lt. Warren E Evans replaced 1^st Lt. Raymond B Sylvain, Jr. as Communications Officer on 24 April, and Captain Edward J Gagznos was assigned as C&E Officer on 18 June.

Radar maintenance personnel manning dropped to 50% of authorized strength. There was no forecast of additional personnel so authorization for an additional Canadian Aviation Electronics augmentation technician was obtained. The individual assigned (Mr. C Leger) had no previous experience in the radar equipment available at this station so he was replaced, at our request, on 30 June.

An Inspection and Repair as Necessary (IRAN) team overhauled the inside and outside wire plant as well as the teletype facility in April.

In May a test equipment calibration team calibrated all test equipment on the site.

Sire radar maintenance personnel replaced the AS-295A/GPX, IFF/SIF antenna with the AT-309A/GPX antenna.

On 29 June all air-ground radio communications were lost. The underground cable had been damaged allowing moisture to enter and short all lines to ground. Emergency depot level assistance was provided by Canadian Aviation Electronics.

Personnel changes have resulted in the net loss of two airmen during this quarter. Three airmen were re-assigned to duty in the ZI while only one replacement was received.

Project "Money Tree" has been emphasized throughout the squadron. The tenets of this program call for an across-the-board effort by all concerned to ensure maximum return for each Air Force dollar spent, and full utilization of the equipment presently on hand and in use. In this connection large quantities of Tech Supply items have been disposed of as being no longer required, and there has been a corresponding reduction in the UAL items in support of the squadron mission.

During this reporting period, numerous buildings were released to the squadron from the contractors. These were a 20-man barracks, a 9-car garage, a GATR facility and a multi-purpose building.

Construction on the T-2 building and operations water supply system is behind schedule, however completion is expected during the next quarter.

Construction started on the FY 62 MC program in June, and continuous construction is expected until July 1962. Buildings involved are the site powerhouse, telephone building, heating plant, and FPS-26 tower.

New diesel generators are programmed for the powerhouse extension, and an additional boiler is programmed for the lower area.

Site roads were repaired after a very wet winter which caused a great deal of road heaving during the spring thaw.

The mosquito problem this spring was worse than usual due to ideal breeding weather. Continued oiling of swamp areas and spraying of the site has been necessary to keep this problem in check.

An extensive program for base beautification has been underway throughout the spring season. Numerous Evergreen trees and shrubs have been planted on the station. New signs of a uniform design have been placed outside each building to describe the building’s function, and a large squadron sign has been placed between the flagpoles in front of the administrative building.

A new Special Services Officer, 1^st Lt. Ray L Christiansen, succeeded 1^st Lt. Robert E Jackson, who was reassigned to the ZI in April.

On 15 April, a program was started to get all special services equipment ready for the busy summer season. Our twelve boats and motors were repaired, painted and generally made ready for the fishing season.

A special fund grant of $300 allowed the purchase of an additional boat and outboard motor. Additional camping and sports equipment has been ordered, and twenty new fishing rods and reels have been received.

Several projects were started during the period. Plans are underway to convert the heavy equipment building to a gymnasium when the heavy equipment shop is moved to the new building. Final approval by the 4602^nd Support Wing is pending.

Construction of a new 45 foot extension to the existing dock is underway at the squadron’s Puntzi Lake recreation area. The dock extension is necessary to provide more deep water docking area for our thirteen squadron boats. Estimated date of completion is 20 July 1961.

Sports highlight of this period was our squadron softball team’s fine showing in the Lac La Hache, BC, softball tournament. The 917^th played in a field of 30 of the finest teams in this area. Although our team did not gain a place in the final standings, they provided keen, aggressive competition and displayed fine sportsmanship.

On 20 May, the 917^th Squadron’s AFRTS affiliate, WTPM, shut down its transmitter for the first time since mid February. The station had logged 2,137 hours of continuous radio broadcasting to set a new AFRTS record and notch another first for the 917^th.

Officer manning has increased during the period to near UMD strength, however, airmen strength has been reduced far below UMD standards, particularly in the Communication and Electronics and Radar Operations career fields.

Four new buildings were completed during this quarter: a multi-purpose building, a 20-man barracks, a nine-car storage building, and a GATR building. Although construction has been accelerated during the spring months on several new buildings, progress is behind schedule in some cases.

Numerous base clean-up and beautification projects have been undertaken during this period.

Morale remains high in the 917^th. Fine spring weather has increased outdoor activities. Squadron personnel fill their leisure time with fishing, camping, swimming and boating. With the completion of our new two-lane bowling alley, bowling has become a popular pastime, and an eleven team league has been formed.

Community relations are excellent. Major Riley E Patrick, Station Commander, participated in the dedication ceremonies for the new Williams Lake airport. He was also a judge for a beauty contest to select the queen of the Williams Lake area.

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