Saglek, Labrador

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

Frederick W Fieder, Major, USAF

1 AN/FPS-93A; 1 AN/UPX-14; 1 AN/GPS-T2/T2A; 2 AN/UPA-35; 5 OA-175; 1 GPX-7A; 1 GPA-30; 4 GRC-27; 6 FRT-502; 3 URG-60; 1 BC-610; 3 SP-600; 1 GTA-6; 1 GLH-501.

Personnel and Administrative Branch:

The Personnel and Administrative Section has experienced significant changes in assigned personnel. Gains: Major Fielder (Commander), T/Sgt. Fredwell (Personnel), Sgt. Baldgridge (Administration). Losses: T/Sgt. Peavey (Personnel).For this quarter the Military Suggestion Program reached an all-time high of 43% participation by all assigned personnel, both military and civilian. This was the highest in 37^th Air Division and was highly praised by the Division Commander, Colonel Pease.

Awards and Decorations – Captain Duncan was presented the Air Force Commendation Medal for his outstanding job performance while assigned to the 747^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Ellington AFB, Texas. Sgt. Alexander was presented the Zero Defects Award for his outstanding contributions to Zero Defects Program in the Materiel Control function.

Considerable difficulty has been encountered during this period concerning receipt of erroneous machine data on projected gains. Gains are being carried by 37^th Air Division on personnel who have been withdrawn from the assignment. This has caused concern by our organization and has resulted in inadequate manning in several sections. At this time, information received from Division cannot be depended upon and does not allow for proper planning.

Communications and Electronics Branch:

Supervision – During this quarter we had only one change in supervision; T/Sgt. D Couture Jr. assumed the duties of NCOIC of the Communications Center.

Radar Maintenance – A depot level maintenance (DLM) team arrived on 11 March to perform DLM on search and related equipment. The pre DLM inspection was performed by a Marconi representative and the 924^th MQC inspector during January. During the month of January an emergency DLM was performed on the UPX-14, after numerous malfunctions on both channels. This equipment has been operational since. The new MDC documentation procedures were implemented 1 March. Training for all maintenance personnel was completed in February. Personnel gains: four 5 levels; one 7 level. Personnel Losses: two 5 levels.

Communications Center – During the month of January the Communications Center experienced considerable difficulty with the teletype circuit. The maintenance section here was unable to resolve the problem due to lack of experienced personnel so command assistance was asked of the 37^th Air Division. They quickly responded by sending a qualified repairmen for a period of ten days TDY. He corrected the problem and gave valuable advice and training to our maintenance personnel. On 1 April 1968 we lost our telephone circuit to Hopedale and gained two additional telephone circuits into Melville. These new circuits will greatly reduce the handling time previously required to process both operational and morale calls. At this time there is nothing to indicate that the morale call schedule will be altered due to our new circuit capability. Personnel gains: one 7 level and two 5 levels. Personnel Losses: None.

Radio Maintenance – The Radio Maintenance Section did not experience any difficulties during this quarter. Three members of the section returned to the US on PCS status and one new member was gained. The section has been operating with a shortage of manning which should be corrected during the month of April 1968. Antennas, type AS-505, modified to resist salt water corrosion, were received and installed during the month of February 1968. In response to a directive from the 37^th Air Division, four mini-pak portable transceivers and two battery chargers were returned to the leasing contractor. The loss of this portable communications equipment could prove to be a serious personnel safety factor.

Wire Maintenance – During this quarter the Wire Maintenance Section functioned with one 5 level and two 3 level maintenance technicians. We have two projected gains, both 3 level. One projected loss, 5 level. During this period this section had 6 installations, 10 removals and 10 relocations of telephones. The Wire Maintenance Section functioned well during the entire period.

Maintenance Control Center – During this reporting period we received one new man from Finland AFB, Minnesota. At this time one man departed for the US for separation. During the months of February and March the MCC work center was relocated from the Radar Tower to the CEM office. The move was made to allow the new MCC console to be constructed and to streamline the overall function of the section. Also relocated at this time was the mobile radio station which is manned by the MCC technician. The first of March the new maintenance documentation system went into effect. During the month of February M/Sgt. MacDougall taught MDC classes to all the people who were directly connected to the new system.

Supply and Services Branch:

The following is a list of personnel losses and gains for the reporting period.

Supply Losses – Zero. Supply Gains – Sgt. Jones.

Food Service Losses – T/Sgt. Temple, S/Sgt. Conner, A/1C Reiter, A/1C Wood, A/1C Kovach. Food Service Gains – Sgt. Jones, Airman Watkins.

The total number of aircraft processed by supply this period was: 26 DC-3’s, 5 DC-4’s and 1 civilian aircraft. The total incoming cargo including mail was 113,136 lbs. and 151 passengers. The total outgoing cargo including mail was 30,220 lbs. and 120 passengers.

The Base Exchange had sales totalling $10,489.58 for this reporting period. Monthly breakdown is as follows:

(see matrix at end of this report)

Materiel Control Section processed 10 NORS and one piece of test equipment was processed for calibration and returned.

Summary – During this period Food Service has been under staffed due to the rotation of five persons and only one replacement. Supply has had a tremendous work load due to the large amount of equipment arriving for the DLM team. All this equipment had to be transported by Trackmasters, uncrated and recrated for shipment again. Materiel Control has reached a new high as normal bench stock, minimum level and expanded range bench stock have all reached 100% on hand. POL has had somewhat of a hectic quarter as our mogas supply has slowly dwindled to the present amount of 57 days supply on hand. However, one shipment of mogas has been received with more to come in the near future. The Base Exchange has received many new items for sale such as sports jackets, trousers, shirts and numerous other items that have not been available.

Operations Branch:

The 924^th AC&W Squadron Operations Branch participated in two live and eleven simulated training missions during this quarter. Unit personnel received valuable training in these exercises and contributed largely to their success at higher echelons. One hundred percent of academic training requirements were accomplished. Seven NCO’s, grades E-7 to E-5, and one A/1C (five 7 level and three 5 level) departed on permanent change of station. Newly gained were eight 5 level and two 3 level personnel, grades E-4 and below. This change-over reduced the experience level considerably and increased the training load of the branch. Strong emphasis continues to be placed on both upgrade and proficiency training.

Medical Services Branch:

There were a total of 190 patients seen during this reporting period. Ten patients were referred to Goose Air Force base hospital for further treatment. One hour of "First Aid Buddy Care" was given to newly assigned personnel. Upon arrival each newly assigned person is given an indoctrination in respect to Temperature/Wind Index Factors, and the necessary need for properly wearing of Arctic Clothing. The losses for this period was Sgt. Gerald Braun AF15697106 who departed this station 26 February 1968. There was a gain of T/Sgt. Lawrence W Rutt AF16349740 who arrived this station 18 January 1968.

Information, Education and Recreation Branch:

S/Sgt. Ted K Hart assumed duties of NCOIC of PPS and AFRTS in January 1968.

PPS – In January this station was visited by Colonel Pease and a USO show emanating from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and headed by Doctor Alfonso Sherman. The program started with Colonel Pease giving a talk on the advantages of the Air Forces promotion system and staying in the USAF. Following his talk he presented awards to the following:

(see matrix at end of this report)

The USO show followed Colonel Pease and featured music, singing and dancing. This show was very enjoyable and efforts should be made in the future to bring more outside entertainment to the site.

In February Saglek held a winter sports carnival featuring bobsledding, skiing, and indoor games for the faint at heart. The basketball team also travelled to Goose Air Force Base and participated in the ADC Squadron level tournament. The team made a commendable showing, coming in third, and winning the Sportsmanship Award.

In March we were visited by Colonel Dailey and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Airey. CM/Sgt. Airey inspected the site and gave a talk on the advantages of Air Force life. He also held a question and answer period during which some problems were brought up that could not be resolved at the site.

AFRTS – The Radio Station has undergone numerous changes. Gone are the days of someone coming in and playing records when they feel like it. With the help of six volunteers, plus S/Sgts. Hart, Lieb and Sgt. Hargens we now have twenty-four hour operation, featuring a variety of programs and feel that we are reaching each and every man on the site. We had an additional microphone installed which gives us unlimited capabilities for broadcasting variety shows. The record library has been completely revamped and we are currently bringing the card index library up to date. On the Television side, we have experienced about twenty hours of down time on the equipment, mainly projectors. This is due to lack of maintenance personnel and a shortage of supplies. We have completely revised our Slide Index Library during this period.

Civil Engineering Branch:

During this quarter approval was received and construction completed on renovation of the NCO Club. New acoustical tile, wall panelling, and drapes were installed and the walls were painted. A new bar was installed along with new light fixtures. The NCO Club then put in a rug and all new furnishings with the over-all result, a beautifully arranged and more clubby NCO club.

Saglek experienced a bunch of severe wind storms during February. On George Washington’s Birthday twenty-three men were returning from meeting an aircraft when a sudden and severe storm (150 knots) engulfed them. It was impossible to travel so the five Trackmasters waited for 14 ½ hours before visibility improved enough for one Trackmaster to make it back. The other men were then picked up. It took four days to retrieve the Trackmasters which had engines full of snow and clutches frozen solid. Also during the storm some 45 windows at Upper Camp were broken by flying ice. The gym escaped damage for a change.

The summer road was opened from 25 January to 9 February 1968 when equipment broke down. During March 24 sunny days allowed us to open the summer road to BMEWS.

On 29 March, one of the two overground power lines from Upper Camp to BMEWS blew out. The number two cable was put in operation and repairs started on cable number one.

No fires or ground safety accidents occurred during this period.

A Fire Protection Staff Assistance visit was made from 20 February to 22 February 1968 with the Squadron receiving an overall rating of excellent.

Civil Engineering Personnel Changes –

(see matrix at the end of this report)

NCO Club Activities – On 1 February 1968 the NCO Club moved lock, stock and barrel to the Snack Bar dining room, to make way for Civil Engineers and all volunteers to renovate. The club was re-opened on Friday 22 March with Major Fielder giving a very good and informing speech followed by him cutting the ribbon to officially re-open the Saglek NCO Club. The project took longer than expected and cost approximately $20,000, but after viewing the final results, we can all say it was well worth waiting for.

We are also sponsoring a beard growing contest, commencing 15 February 1968 and ending 15 April 1968. Prizes will be awarded for 1^st and 2^nd places and a consolation prize for the person giving the nicest try.

After the NCO Club was re-opened, we then repainted the Snack Bar dining room walls and ceiling and installed a new rug and furniture, giving us a very beautiful dining room.

In January we sponsored an informal "Hail and Farewell" Dining In for our NCO’s and their guests.

T/Sgt. Fredwell assumed duties as Club Secretary replacing M/Sgt Tatum.

Key Personnel:

The following is a list of key personnel as of 31 March 1968:

(see matrix at the end of this report)

Awards and Decorations:

(see matrix at the end of this report)

Prepared By: Ted K Hart, S/Sgt., USAF

Frederick W Fieder, Major, USAF