Memories of Saglek
As a young A/1C (E4) Petroleum Specialist I was volunteered for my tour at Saglek AFS. I departed from Clinton-Sherman AFB in Oklahoma and proceeded to Thule Greenland - don't ask me why. From Thule, I boarded a USAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which took me to Goose Air Base in Labrador. I continued my travels on an Eastern Provincial Airways DC-3 from Goose Bay - arriving at Saglek in October 1964.
I was not employed in an Operational role with the 924th AC&W Squadron. I worked at the lower base and my task was to refuel incoming supply planes. I seemed to accumulate a lots of pretty Canadian money. I also pushed diesel fuel up to the radar site to keep their generators working. I recall that I worked a standard eight hour shift for the most part but there were times when I found myself pushing fuel for 24 hours straight with little rest.
I spent a lot of time at the NCO club and in the photo lab during my days off. We had movies to pass the time away. We would usually get a couple of movies a week. Everything was subject to availability of aircraft and there were times when we would not see a plane for weeks on end. As I mentioned, I spent time in the photo lab and I was able to learn a great deal about photography during my tour. I also tended the bar in the NCO Club for a little extra cash.
As can be expected, the weather left a great deal to be desired. There was a lot of snow coupled with high winds and occasional rain during the winter months - December 1964 was exceptionally heavy with snow and winds. I considered myself one of the lucky ones as I was able to get out of Saglek on leave in February 1955.
The lower camp was sort of like a station unto itself. We had about 7 military and 10 civilian personnel that worked at the lower camp. Aside from refuelling incoming aircraft, we also maintained the runway and this meant a lot of snow removal. You haven't lived until you have experienced a resupply. The amount of material which was removed from the supply ships was staggering. In the case of Saglek - we had to more or less deal with a full years supply of everything imaginable - including the "kitchen sink".
The food had to be good - when you consider that the cooks had to eat the same stuff that they were serving. Personally, I didn't really like the powdered eggs and milk but on the whole, the food was good. I often been asked "was there an alcohol problem"? I suppose that is to be expected when you consider the circumstances of isolation and the excessivly cold and long winter. I seem to recall that alcohol was a problem - but only for a small number of individuals. The majority of personnel were able to handle their booze.
As was the case with the movies, incoming and outgoing mail was also subject to the availability of aircraft. Mail was an important part of our lives at Saglek so the guys would tend to get somewhat grumpy after spending a few weeks or more without any sign from the civilized world.
We were invaded by East Germans during the early summer of 1965. The Bay was open and a big trawler sneaked in on us. Let's face it though - the radar was suppose to pick up aircraft - not boats. The East Germans rowed ashore one night and came into our lower camp barracks. They had a seaman who was really sick with appendicitis and he needed medical attention. The USA had nothing to do with East Germany at that time so we contacted Goose AB and they had the RCAF fly in and take the man to Goose Bay where he was admitted into a hospital for an operation. We were eventually told that he recovered. We also got our "butts" chewed out for letting the East Germans "invade us". What were we suppose to do? The only weapons we had at the lower camp were knives, forks and spoons.
On completion of my tour in July 1965, I flew from Saglek to Goose Bay and onwards to McGuire AFB in New Jersey for separation and a return to civilian life.
This detail was provided by Horace Carner who completed a tour at Saglek AFS between October 1964 and July 1965.