Puntzi Mountain, BC

917th AC&W Squadron,
Puntzi Mountain, BC

Lawrence R Finn, Major

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

Historical Record
917^th AC&W Squadron
1 January through 31 March 1958

Operational Improvements and Changes –

Mission -

The mission of the 917^th AC&W Squadron was changed from that of a surveillance station to a direction center without movements identification function. The authority was received in a letter from Headquarters Air Defense Command, USAF, dated 15 November 1957, RCAF Letter S965-110 (Cdr) dated 30 December 1957, and ADOOP-O 1^st Endorsement to the above letter.

Attachment – Mission Change
USAF Manned Pinetree Sites, 15 Nov 57, page 1 of 2
USAF Manned Pinetree Sites, 15 Nov 57, page 2 of 2
RCAF Letter, 30 Dec 57, Page 1 of 2
RCAF Letter, 30 Dec 57, page 2 of 2
ADOOP-O Endorsement Letter, page 1 of 2
ADOOP-O Endorsement Letter, page 2 of 2

This station will assume the identification functions as soon as appropriate communications are installed. The target date for completion of this project is fall 1958.

Modification of Operations Room -

Information was received from Headquarters Air Defense Command, USAF that this station is scheduled for modification of the Operations Room to meet the requirements for standardized modification of Operations Room at Pinetree Direction Centers. For further information see letter from Detachment #1, Ottawa, Canada, Subject: Standardized ADC Direction Center Modifications, dated 28 January 1958, with enclosures, ADC message ADOTS-C 1-151, dated 15 January 1958, and ADOOP-0 0020, dated 17 January 1958.

Detachment #1 Letter, 28 Jan 58, page 1 of 2
Detachment #1 Letter, 28 Jan 58, page 2 of 2
ADC Message ADOTS-C 1-151, 15 Jan 58

Plans are being accomplished for modification of the operations room in accordance with the above listed directives during this reporting period.

Systems Training Program (STP) -

STP is programmed to begin in the 5^th Air Division in January 1959. The RAND Corporation is presently developing the first set of problems for use by this station.

In February 1958 this station received problem #14 from the 635^th AC&W Squadron at McChord AFB. This problem has been used extensively in the training of operations personnel.

Personnel:

Due to the mission change of the Squadron this station has been receiving additional airmen operations personnel during this period.

The controller strength of the Squadron was doubled during this reporting period with the addition of two (2) 1644’s.

The increase in officer and airmen strength is programmed to continue. A shortage of billeting facilities is expected to delay the assignment of personnel authorized under the Unit Manning Document.

Maintenance -

A total of 137 hours 32 minutes of scheduled maintenance was accomplished during this reporting period. Unscheduled maintenance time was 4 hours 11 minutes. Unscheduled maintenance was due to the upper beam magnetron filament relay not working properly and shorted video cable between planned position indicators.

Station Performance was reduced in March while trouble shooting a condition that caused arcing in the upper beam magnetron during a scheduled maintenance period. Backup equipment was not operational during this period due to a defective video switching relay.

Equipment -

The 0-15 Scope Camera mount was completed in February. A switch has been installed that permits both manual and automatic operation.

A switch box was completed in March which permits simultaneous operation of the AN/FPS-502 and the AN/FPS-3 on adjacent Radar Planned Position Indicators. The purpose of this is to have MTI available on the backup equipment while operating the primary equipment on normal search.

The video mapping plates were received in March and the video mapper, AN/GPA-30, is fully operational.

Overhauls -

The CAD depot overhaul team arrived at this station in January to overhaul the AN/FPS-502, AN/GPX-7, AN/GPZ-501 and all radome pressurizing systems. The overhaul of the AN/FPS-502 and the AN/TPS-502 were cancelled due to the scheduled phase out of this equipment.

A CAE overhaul was completed in February on the power house switchboard and alternators, and diesel and associated power panels at transmitters and receivers.

Personnel -

From the period of February through March a shortage of personnel existed effecting the efficiency and morale of this section. During the month of February the section operated at fifty percent of its authorized strength.

Training -

A special training program concerning the operation and adjustment of MTI was completed in January.

Operational Changes and Improvements -

Transmitter and receiver equipment IRAN was completed during the month of February.

Plans are being accomplished for renovating the existing inside communications plant within the operations room.

The Ogden AMA has been requested by Detachment #1 to make current "as built" drawings of the telephone inside and outside plant. This project is scheduled for June and July of this year.

Personnel -

This section has been operating without an assigned NCO since the 4^th of February. The existing Unit Manning Document authorizes seven (7) NCO’s.

Lawrence R Finn, Major