Saglek, Labrador

924^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
APO New York 09439

Ralph P Borgeson, Major

1 AN/FPS-20A Radar; 2 AN/UPX-6 Radar; 1 AN/GPX-7A Radar; 2 OA-99/CPS-6B Indicator, Video; 6 OA-175/FPS-3 Indicator, Video; 3 AN/GRC-27 Multi-channel Radio (UHF); 3 AN/GPR-7 Radio Receiver (UHF); 2 AN/GRT-3 Radio Transmitter (UHF); 6 AN/URG-60 Radio Receiver (VHF); 3 AN/GRT-502 Dual Channel Transmitter (VHF); 3 SP-600 Radio Receiver (HF); 1 BC-610 Radio Transmitter (HF); 1 GTA-6 Telephone System; 2 M-19 Teletypewriter; 1 SSM-7 Crypto device; 1 AN/TIQ-3 Public Address System; 1 AN/GMQ-11 Weather Equipment; 2 RD-142A Recorders.

Command:

Mr. Jack Ashcroft and an Eastern GEEIA team of four (4) persons arrived on 2 January 1965, to install a new GTA-6 telephone central office equipment group. The team finished their assignment and departed Saglek on 2 February 1965. CM/Sgt George Y Conboy arrived on 6 January 1965 to perform an equipment review inspection of the Base Equipment Management Office. CM/Sgt. Conboy departed on 12 January 1965. 1^st Lt. David W Keller, CEM Maintenance Supervisor, returned from leave on 15 January 1965. Colonel Robert A Olson, Vice Commander, Goose Air Defense Sector, arrived on 2 February 1965, to carry out a short visit and inspection of this unit. Colonel Olson returned to Goose Air Base on 9 February 1965. A three man team led by Captain Daniel M McMahon arrived on 2 February 1965, to conduct a field investigation of fiscal year 1965 operations and maintenance projects assigned to the Civil Engineering Section. They completed their studies and returned to Goose Air Base on 16 February 1965. 1^st Lt. Francis M Madden, the motor pool officer, left Saglek Air Station for his new assignment on 2 February 1965. Saglek Air Station experienced a Goose Air Defense Sector Headquarters staff assistance visit from 9 February 1965 to 12 February 1965. Major Robert H Ankeny was in charge of a staff visit team which was composed of Captain Ronald E Hollad, Captain Willie J Kopecky, CWO Leonard E Denny, M/Sgt. Harold C Brandenburg, M/Sgt. William A Rose, M/Sgt. Donald L Schuetrum, M/Sgt. Jack P Stoneking and S/Sgt. John E Fuller. The mobile maintenance team from Goose Air Base arrived on station 12 February 1965 to accomplish maintenance and rehabilitation of facilities controlled by the Civil Engineering Section. The majority of this six (6) man team departed Saglek on 25 February 1965. Captain (Chaplain) James J Mohan arrived 14 February 1965 to conduct Catholic religious services and moral leadership training. Chaplain Mohan departed Saglek Air Station on 16 February 1965. This unit’s post office was inspected by 1^st Lt. Richard J King and S/Sgt. Daniel W Howard Jr. from 16 February 1965 to 18 February 1965. Mr. Ralph E Warrior, of the Canadian Government’s Department of National Defense, arrived 18 February 1965 to conduct an inspection of the services being supplied by Canadian civilian business firms. His inspection completed, Mr. Warrior returned to Goose Air Base on 9 March 1965. Major Ralph B Borgeson, the Commander, was absent from Saglek Air Station for the period from 25 February 1965 to 3 March 1965, to attend a Goose Air Defense Sector Commander’s Conference. Captain Warren J Novak, BEMO officer took command of this unit during Major Borgeson’s absence. Captain (Chaplain) Donald G Hollenbeck arrived 3 March 1965, to conduct Protestant religious services. Chaplain Hollenbeck departed Saglek on 7 March 1965. A/2C Donald Hood went to Goose Air Base on 3 March 1965 to be presented with a Certificate of Achievement from the Freedom Foundation for having been one of twenty-four (24) winners in their annual letter writing contest. A/2C Hood was presented the award by Brigadier General Thomas H Beeson the Commander of Goose Air Defense Sector. A quality control and standardization inspection team arrived at Saglek on 3 March 1965 to inspect the CEM Maintenance Section. They departed this station on 6 March 1965 after having adjudged the CEM Maintenance function to be satisfactory. During the week-end of 13-14 March 1965 this unit experienced almost continual 100-125 knot winds! Friday, 26 March 1965, two (2) aircraft, a C-54 and a C-47 respectively were dispatched from Goose Air Base to transport the backlog of supplies and mail which had accumulated over a period of fourteen (14) days of continuous bad weather. Colonel Robert A Olson again made an inspection trip to Saglek arriving on 26 March 1965 and departing on 28 March 1965. The scheduled Eastern Provincial Airlines flight on 30 March 1965 brought a live entertainment group from the United States, Miss Fran Daniels and her group, to Saglek for three evenings of entertainment.

Operations:

During this quarter the 924^th ACW Squadron Operations Section participated in six (6) live missions and twenty (20) simulated training missions. 1^st Lt. John L Wilson, the Operations Officer completed forty-six (46) live intercepts and nineteen (19) simulated intercepts. The Operations hallway and operations office areas were renovated by the mobile maintenance team in February. In addition, a new asphalt tile floor was put down in the operations center.

Ground CEM Maintenance:

Mr. Jack Ashcroft and a team of three technicians arrived on 2 January 1965 from Eastern GEEIA to install a new GTA-6 telephone central office equipment group. This new equipment replaced the old NE-612 telephone central office equipment that was removed concurrently with the installation of the GTA-6 system. The GEEIA team completed the installation on 31 January 1965 and departed this station on 2 February 1965. 1^st Lt. David W Keller, the CEM Maintenance Supervisor, returned from leave on 15 January 1965. The Radio Maintenance Section installed the antenna for the non-tactical mobile radio system on top of the operations building (S-11). The antenna is completely house in a large wooden box made of three quarter inch plywood and bolted to the buildings roof. This covering keeps the radio antenna out of the elements and protects it from the sever winds often encountered in this location. This antenna installation was completed in February. Two (2) ten line telephone unit TA 277A/GTA-6A were installed in the radar and maintenance control centers respectively. These units afford instantaneous communications with the operations center and Goose Air Base systems material control. This installation required that two (2) twenty-six (26) pair cables be run from the telephone exchange (building S-11) to the main radar tower (building S-12). This facility was completed in February 1965. During March 1965, the UPS-T5 radar trainer was removed from service and turned in for disposition. S/Sgt. Ferreira, NCOIC of the Wire Maintenance Section, completed the engineering and installation of a remote keying telephone line between the terminal building on the Saglek Airstrip and the ground to air VHF radio system in the operations center. This system affords the aircraft spotter in the terminal building the ability to talk directly with the pilot of the landing aircraft.

Base Equipment Management Office:

During the last quarter, Saglek Air Station received a total of 23 aircraft which brought 141 personnel, 124,472 lbs. of cargo, 6,423 lbs. of mail, and 12,149 lbs. of produce. On the return trips to Goose Air Base, 122 personnel, 16,372 lbs. of cargo, and 2,867 lbs. of mail were shipped. During the month of January the Air Defense Command Equipment Management Office (CEMO) consisting of CM/Sgt. George T Conboy conducted an Equipment Review and Utilization Survey which resulted in an asset dollar value decrease of $16,234.00. M/Sgt. George Bowers and A1/C Gary VanErt departed on leave. During February a Staff Assistance Visit was made from Goose Air Defense Sector. M/Sgt. George Bowers and A/1C Gary VanErt returned from leave. Captain Warren J Novak, Cost Reduction Program Monitor, indicated a CRP Documentation of savings on behalf of the squadron of $122,500.00.

Civil Engineering:

During the past quarter, the 924^th ACW Squadron’s Civil Engineering section accomplished the following projects: The ceiling in the Base Exchange was lowered. Also, electrical circuits were balanced and florescent fixtures remodelled. Stock binds and fire proof flooring for welding equipment was installed in the Refrigeration Shop. The milk machine was also repaired. The Base Theater was painted inside and the floor elevated. The Radar and Radio Maintenance section office area was modified, fire alarm system was installed and is now 85% complete, the flooring was repaired, florescent lighting installed and also new security door installed. The ceiling in the corridor of the Operations section was lowered, floors retiled and new security door installed. New storage racks were constructed in the Pole Vault building. Overhead doors were removed and single doors installed in the Civil Engineering store room.

Lower Camp and Motor Pool:

1^st Lt. Francis M Madden, Vehicle Maintenance Officer, departed this station on 6 February for PCS assignment to Stewart AFB NY. The Vehicle Maintenance Officer position has been deleted from the squadron unit manning document. A/1C Charles L Jones, AFSC 47151, arrived this station on 14 January. A/2C John Soltis, AFSC 47150, arrived this station on 16 February. Mr. Charles Thrifts, AFSC 47150, arrived this station on 21 January. The Vehicle Maintenance Section is presently operating under 100% strength. Five new sets of tracks were received and installed on our Track Masters. This has reduced the number of man hours spent on repairing tracks. The Track Masters can now be depended on to complete their trip without having to be recovered due to broken tracks.

Medical Services:

The medical services staff at Saglek Air Station treated eighty-three (83) military patients and thirteen civilian patients during the last quarter. There were twenty-six (26) non-disabling injuries reported and twelve (12) military personnel were sent to the Goose Air Base hospital for treatment.

Personnel, Administration, Recreation and Information:

Tobogganing has been augmented by skiing during the last quarter and many of the officers and men are enjoying the bumpy and challenging ski ride down the trackmaster trail to lower camp. The handball court, basketball games and bowling leagues continue to be sources of great recreation to the personnel stationed in this remote location.

Prepared by: David W Keller,1^st Lt., USAF

Ralph P Borgeson, Major, USAF