Saglek, Labrador

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

Richard F Solomon, Lt. Colonel

1 AN/FPS-87A Radar; 2 AN/UPX-14 Radar; 1 AN/GPS-T2A Radar Trainer; 1 AN/UPA-35 Video Indicator; 3 AN/GRC-27 Radio (UHF); 3 AN/GRR-7 Receiver (UHF); 2 AN/GRT-3 Transmitter (UHF); 1 GTA-6 Telephone System.

Administrative Services Branch:

Permanently assigned to the branch were S/Sgt. John EJ Cescolini – 2 Feb 66 and A/2C Edward D Kozel – 17 Feb 66. Relief in the manning was achieved through the temporary assignment of S/Sgt. James S Williams from Thule AFS, Greenland, 73270, for the period 18 Jan 66 to 15 Mar 66 and A/2C Glenn D Warren from PPS Branch, 72131, for the period 4 Jan 66 – 21 Feb 66. At the end of the quarter workload accomplishment was nearly satisfactory. During the quarter the following squadron regulations were published: S-2, O-3, 35-1, 76-2, 85-2 and 170-1. The Selective Reenlistment rate was 27% as of 31 Mar 66. Records Staging for the squadron was accomplished. AF Forms 246’s – Record of Emergency Data were reviewed and re-accomplished on 1 Mar 66. In testing, SKT’s 30372 and 60370 were administered. The 30372 was successfully passed and an airman was upgraded. No results received on the 60370. Announcement of a General Inspection 7-12 June 1966 was received. An Audit of Administration was conducted in February. Several deficiencies were found in the area of Meal Card Administration. We received 3 S/Sgt. stripes in the February Promotion Cycle. Files Maintenance Assistance was given to the following sections on the dates indicated: IDC – 11 Mar 66; MSS – 8 Mar 66; OAC – 14 Mar 66; ODC – 10 Mar 66.

Operations Branch:

During this quarter, the Radar Operations branch participated in five (5) live and 13 simulated missions. During the same period the Communications Section (formerly under the jurisdiction of the Communications and Electronics Branch) was placed under the organizational structure of this branch. For a two day period, beginning 31 January 1966, the Goose NORAD Sector Staff conducted an Operational Standardization Evaluation of the Goose NPRAD Sector Northern Complex. The formal ORI of the Northern Complex is forthcoming. A letter from GSODC with the subject as Operations Officers Conference Minutes, dated 8 March 1966 stated: "Saglek had the best test scores in the system". This branch received a weather training visit during the period of 19 to 25 January 1966. The staff visit was conducted by Headquarters Goose Air Defense Sector, office of GSCWX. The purpose of the visit was to train radar personnel in making weather observations.

Communications and Electronics Branch:

During this reporting period we received disapproval from Headquarters 26^th Air Division on the Facility Utilization Plan for increase in authorization of mobile radios for use in station vehicles. The plan was disapproved on the basis of information received from HQ USAF which stated that there would be a possibility of some forced reductions in non-tactical radio systems throughout ADC. Whether or not this will affect this squadron is not known at this time. A Quality Control Inspection Team from Goose Air Defense Sector visited during the month of February. Approximately 95% of the discrepancies noted by the team have been corrected. There were no major or recurring discrepancies detected by the QC team. All items that were requested to be added to the minimum level listing were approved by GADS and have been requisitioned.

Radar Maintenance – The following equipment changes were performed during this quarter: One OA-175 was installed in the T-2 room to replace the OA-99, which will be shipped to SMAMA. We are waiting for film to arrive to enable us to check the scope camera prior to mounting it on a scope. Equipment performance is as follows: AN/FPS-87A and UPX-14 performance has been outstanding. The ID-636, Noise Monitors, have been operating intermittently; numerous tubes have been replaced and as of 31 March 1966, we are AWP on both ID-636’s for noise lamps. The Pulse transformer in channel 2 had to be replaced on 21 February 1966 due to internal shorting of the filament windings. Channel Two’s Klystron is still operating above specifications with a total of 31,396 radiate hours as of 31 March 1966. On 6 January, blower motors were installed on the UPX-14’s to eliminate relay breakdowns caused by excessive heat. The KY-118’s and KY-120 have been operating exceptionally well, only tube failures have been experienced. The T-2 performance has been excellent. The only supply problem has been procuring a variable resistor for the fine control of the Range Strobe Cursor on the UPA-35. A substitute part was received, but it was incorrect and was returned to Supply. The needed item is still on order. With the exception of this one part, Material Control Support has been outstanding. We have had no need to go to NORS this quarter. A Sector Quality Control Inspection was conducted from 7-9 February and this section received a satisfactory rating. Personnel gains for the quarter are as follows: One 30390 from Thule AB, this man will DEROS 3 May 66; one 30332, one 36370 (who is presently on Medical TDY). Losses for the quarter are as follows: One 30372, two 30352.

Radio Maintenance – All radio equipment has operated satisfactory during this period. Three additional UHF radio sets were received from Thule AB, Greenland and are in the process of being installed. A work order request has been submitted to Civil Engineers for installation of necessary power to supply the additional equipment. Approval for this power installation was forwarded to Goose Air Base and is expected soon. The Radio Section is still only 50% manned and no relief of this situation is expected in the next three months. The two men assigned to the section have maintained the equipment in an excellent operating condition. Personnel gains for this quarter are as follows: One 30474 in January. Losses for the quarter: One 30474 and one 30454.

Communications Operations Section – During the month of March the Communications Center was transferred to the Operations Branch. Most of the equipment for the C-E scheme (0204A4B-Q2-TAC5-2M-2A210-K-6511-27) has been received. 1^st Lt. Leroy Blondeau was appointed custodian for COMSEC account 03588. S/Sgt. James R Petties was appointed NCOIC of Communications Center. There were no personnel losses and two gains during this period.

Civil Engineering Branch:

On 6 January, the power and heat went out at Lower Camp, T-77 from 1800 to 2200 hours. Failure was due to a fuse blowing out, causing the fuel bleeder to fail. Repairs were made. On the 27^th, the power cable between the Power Plant and BMEWS failed. The same cable that had blown twice before was found to be the trouble. The load was put on another cable, but one phase went out on it. The break in the first cable was found about ten feet from where it occurred the last two times. On 29 January, work was completed on splices, one north of TACAN and the break at BMEWS hill. On 30 January, the power was restored to number one (south) cable. On the last day of the month the break in number two cable was located at the splice box, which is one of the original contractor installed boxes. Mr. Neils Thuesen arrived to assist in power restoration and a new cable was received to replace the defective one. Replacement was completed 8 February utilizing approximately 200 feet of cable. A replacement TACAN antenna was installed during the period of 22 to 24 January by in-house forces and two GEEIA personnel sent here to assist. The old antenna had a bearing failure and had to be flown out for repairs. During the past three months, off duty volunteer personnel accomplished alterations of the Snack Bar, which was started on 18 February. The alterations were made for the installation of a new soda fountain and for modification of the kitchen area. The new facility was completed and formally opened on 18 March 1966. Normal Preventative Maintenance was performed throughout Upper and Lower Camp. Two work requests, one for the TV station alterations and one for the installation of Theater seats were sent to HQ GADS. Both work requests were approved in March; however, funds for the theater seats were not available immediately. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Howard of the DLM Team, arrived on 28 February to overhaul three diesels in the Power Plant. Mr. Row arrived on4 March for electrical DLM on diesels at the Power Plant and BMEWS. Work was completed on the diesels late in March and the electrical maintenance continued into April. The Mobile Maintenance Team arrived late in March to carry out maintenance and repairs of the domestic water lines, the condensate system, the electrical distribution system and to continue installation of the heating system through the Pole Vault facilities. Their work on these projects is expected to continue into April of this year. 1^st Lt. Anderson attended meetings late in March on roofing and siding failures and final design review of the proposed Lower Camp Personnel-Auto Storage Facility and the BMEWS Auto Storage Facility. The meetings were held in Ottawa at the office of the Regional Civil Engineer. The following personnel changes were made during this quarter: S/Sgt. Webber, Fire Chief, arrived 7 January, replacing S/Sgt Morman, who was on temporary duty here from Sondrestrom, Greenland. Mr. Walter Kennedy, Carpenter, and Mr. William Walsh, Power Plant Operator, arrived during this quarter. Mr. Kennedy arrived 19 January and Mr. Walsh arrived 4 March 1966. S/Sgt. Griffin, Refrigeration Specialist, arrived on 8 February. We had two losses during the quarter, which were, T/Sgt. Van Hook and Mr. Collins, who resigned 1 March 1966. This branch had two re-enlistees during this quarter, T/Sgt. Van Hook and M/Sgt. Liescheski.

Supply and Services Branch:

During this past quarter, Supply and Services Branch handled three DC-4 aircraft, 18 DC-3 type aircraft and one C-130. These aircraft, totalling 22 in number, brought incoming to Saglek, 55,478 pounds of cargo, 10,936 pounds of produce and 108 personnel. Outgoing cargo totalled 18,400 pounds and 111 personnel. A/2C Foreman and A/2C Willis went on leave during this reporting period.

Material Control – During this period, six priority requests and no NORS requests were submitted. On the priority requests, not one of these items was a bench stock type item. Four priority "5" items and two priority "2" items were submitted. During this period, Material Control had 274 requests and over half of them was the minimum level stock for this quarter. Test equipment that was sent for calibration to Canadian Marconi Company for this quarter totalled eight items. Two items were received from Canadian Marconi Company during this period. An inventory was accomplished this quarter of all test equipment. Weekly inventories of all bench stock items has been taken during this period. All 25% and zero balances have been reported to Material Control at GADS. In this quarter, Material Control had a total of 22 zero balances and thirty-one 25% balances. All publications were inventoried and brought up to date. Also, all publications not on hand and required were ordered.

Base Exchange – The average Base Exchange sales per month during this quarter amounted to $3,120.14. The Base Exchange average inventory per month, which is based on two months of this period is $35,425.95. Figures for the past month are not available at this time. A large shipment of Sony electronic equipment was received and immediately sold. The Base Exchange manager departed on leave for 30 days during this period. During his absence, the exchange was managed by S/Sgt. Oeinck.

Food Service – S/Sgt. Roan was assigned PCS to this section, during the month of January. Two airmen were assigned on 4 February; S/Sgt. Oeinck and A/2C Boyko. A/1C Greene was discharged during this reporting period. A head assembly for the "Mechanical Cow" was forwarded to Contract Maintenance for repair and re-balancing. Food Service received its first chocolate milk powder during the month of February. The results were excellent.

Lower Camp – Two airmen left PCS during this quarter, A/1C Jones and A/1C Soltis. One civilian, Mr. Abbott, left during this time and was replaced by Mr. McCrathe. A/1C Johnson went on leave during this reporting period. A/2C Boyko arrived during this quarter to man the Dining facility. Vehicle maintenance has not encountered any unusual difficulties and there has been no major breakdown of snow removal equipment.

Information and Recreational Services Branch:

During this past reporting period, a site concurrence letter was submitted to Eastern GEEIA, firming up the installation date for a Closed Circuit Television System. The GEEIA installation date is set for the first part of June 1966. Over 50% of the equipment has arrived from Stewart AFB New York and is in storage at this site. The target date for completion is July 1966. Our AFRTS radio station has expanded its air time and part-time announcer staff. Station variety and popularity is continually increasing. A request has been submitted through supply channels for a completely new audio distribution system. We were notified that there will be an AFRTS staff visit at this station, from Los Angeles on 30 May. A complete renovation of the "Cliffhouse", Saglek’s Snack Bar, was completed in March 1966. We now enjoy a new soda fountain, charcoal grill and expanded space. An Intramural Sports program was started this quarter with Volleyball being the first competition. A Commander’s Trophy was purchased and will be awarded to the winning Branch. Badminton, Handball, Pool and Ping-Pong are planned for future competition. Recreation Services also produced a very active winter sports program with skiing and tobogganing being the most popular. A USAFI Group Study course in college level Algebra was completed in March, with testing to take place in April. Our education program is continually expanding with more ECI and USAFI applications and plans for a Sociology Group Study course to start in May. 1^st Lt. Blondeau is to be the instructor. Our photo hobbyists combined their talents and completely overhauled the Photo Hobby Shop. In addition to the face lifting, we received a new photo enlarger and developing tanks. A/2C Warren completed a two week training session in Television Operating procedures at Goose Air Base during this period. This branch experienced no gains or losses in personnel during this quarter.

Medical Services Branch:

There were 103 patients treated during this period, of which three were reportable injuries. One of the injuries was referred to Goose AB for X-Rays. T/Sgt. Paul R Hogarth arrived at this station on 8 February to bring much needed help to T/Sgt. Thayer. There were no unusual medical incidents during this period. The Aid Station office and treatment room were repainted on a self-help project. All foods that arrived by aircraft at Saglek Air Station were inspected and found to be free of all defects. T/Sgt. Fonda from the Veterinary Office at Goose AB arrived here on 22 February for a Veterinary Food Inspection of the site. The overall rating for the station was Satisfactory.

Key Personnel:

The following is a list of key personnel as of 31 March 1966.

(see matrix at end of this report)

Awards and Decorations:

S/Sgt. James R Petties was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Prepared by: Gerald D Boyd, S/Sgt.

Richard F Solomon, Lt. Col., USAF