Puntzi Mountain, BC

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

Robert A Wigen, Major, USAF

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

History of the 917^th AC&W Squadron
1 July 1962 to 30 September 1962

At an informal ceremony on 12 July, Colonel Mulholland presented the Commander, Major Robert A Wigen, the Air Force Commendation Medal. On 26 September, Major Wigen presented the Air Defense Commendation Certificate to A/1C John W Lister and M/Sgt. Will P Barton. As an ADC Talent Contest Winner A/2C John W Huffman was presented a sweater during formal ceremonies. These formations provide excellent training for both our young airmen as well as refreshing the knowledge of our experienced personnel.

During the annual Air Force Aid Society Membership Campaign, 1-15 August, this unit raised $178.68 with 100% of the personnel of the organization participating.

The last of our assigned personnel, T/Sgt. Donald P Cook, reported on station on 27 September.

We had two emergency medical evacuations during this period. On both occasions it was civilian personnel involved. One was a five year old Indian boy who was accidentally shot in the head with a .22 caliber rifle. He died approximately two hours after entering the hospital in Williams Lake. The other was a woman who fell from a horse and received a broken arm. She was successfully evacuated to Vancouver, BC, by a helicopter and SA-16, of the RCAF.

In addition to normal day to day activity controlling F-101’s out of Comox, F-102’s out of Paine and F-106’s out of McChord, this unit successfully participated in 5 live missions including Sky Shield III and a Big Blast Mission. Weekly Mode III training was resumed with Makah AS as the SNCC and provided valuable training. Eight Region SSTM, 7 Sector SSTM and 13 site SSTM were also scheduled as a part of training during this period.

Captain James E Steinmiller, Captain Richard R Broehm and Captain Walter H Brown, Jr., were upgraded to Combat Ready Skilled. Captain Raymond G Bergh was newly assigned and is scheduled to become Combat Ready during the early part of December.

Eight Intercept Control Technicians were certified Combat Ready and 3 more were placed in training.

The Training Officer, 1^st Lt. Joseph AN Gagliano, was promoted to Captain, effective 1 October, participated as an evaluator during two Tactical Evaluations during this period. The 25^th Air Division utilized him at the 919^th AC&W Squadron during their ORI of the Spokane Sector and ADC utilized him at the SNCC during their ORI of the 30^th Air Division.

During the first quarter of FY 63 the installation of new C&E equipment has progressed at a satisfactory rate. The TDDL and associated high power equipment was accepted 13 July. The FPS-7C equipment, which arrived late in June was inventoried by CGE inspectors and a DND/IS representative during the first week of July. The inventory showed that only a few minor parts were missing and the installation of this equipment would not be delayed due to missing components. The FPS-26 equipment arrived during the time the CGE inspectors and DND/IS representative were inventorying the FPS-7C. The FPS-26 was inventoried at this time and found to be complete except for a few minor items.

The CGE installation team arrived on base 14 August and began installation of the FPS-7C on 15 August. As of 30 Sep the cabling in the FPS-7C tower was in final stages of completion. The cabling between the 7-tower and the SAGE Annex still must be performed. During the first two weeks of August, the radome for the FPS-7C was removed from the FPS-3 tower, cleared and stacked at the base of the 7 tower and the installation of the radome on the 7-tower was completed by mid-September. The Panoramic antenna was installed for the AJ modification by CGE during the installation of the FPS-7C radome.

A third 500 KW power unit was placed on the line in late August, bringing the total power capacity to 1500 KW.

The FST-2 equipment arrived 25 August and the Burroughs team arrived shortly afterward and began installing it. The installation is progressing satisfactorily.

During the past three months, the new cable facilities connecting the SAGE Annex, GATR facilities and new Telco building have been installed. The terminating equipment for this facility is not completely installed at this time.

A new 102 pair cable connecting the operations area is in the process of being installed. This new cable replaces the old defective lead covered cable that has caused a great deal of difficulty during the past two years.

The radome of the FPS-6 was painted during the third week of September, affording maximum protection during the coming winter months.

Mr. J Wallace of General Electric, Sacramento, California arrived 14 September. He is one of the two GE Technical Representatives that will assist in the maintenance and training for the FPS-7C. Mr. Wallace has started classes dealing with the operation and maintenance of this equipment. The second GE Technical representative is expected early in October.

The balance of this report is not available.

Prepared By: Raymond G Berch, Jr., Captain, Historical Officer