Saglek, Labrador

I was stationed at the 924^th AC&W Squadron as a young 2^nd Lt. between August 1957 and May 1958. My introduction to the north took place as we were proceeding from Goose Bay to Saglek. We were flown in to Saglek in a military C-47 which developed engine trouble. We had to jettison all of the cargo so out went my footlocker containing my military and civilian clothing as well as a 35mm camera, 8mm movie camera and many other personal belongings. This occurred in August 1957 on a beautiful Labrador day.

During the 1957-58 time period, no one in Saglek received any R&R except for emergencies. All personnel were expected to stay on site for one full year. We had 9 Officers and 3 civilians with Officer status along with about 140 Airmen and civilians of Airmen status at the unit during my tour of duty. I served as a Weapons Controller in the Operations section, and if my memory is correct, my callsign was Transport 16.

Pinetree Line Note: You will have noticed, on the previous Memorandum, a distribution list, that identifies the following AC&W Squadrons which were operational as part of the Northeast Air Command in August 1957:

640th AC&WRON ------ Stephenville (Pinetree), Newfoundland

641st AC&WRON ------ Goose Bay (Melville), Labrador

642nd AC&WRON ------ St. John's (Red Cliff), Newfoundland

920th AC&WRON ------ Resolution Island (Cape Warwick), NWT

921st AC&WRON ------ St. Anthony, Newfoundland

922nd AC&WRON ------ Cartwright, Labrador

923rd AC&WRON ------ Hopedale, Labrador

926th AC&WRON ------ Frobisher Bay (Baffin Island), NWT

931st AC&WRON ------ Thule, Greenland

We had one USO group stop at Saglek and it caused a great deal of excitement which was a wonderful change of pace. We also had Chaplain Chapman stop at Saglek on at least one occasion. I have pictures of him outside the site with tons of snow in the background and with the radar installation to hid right. I must admit that the snowfall I have seen in other areas can not compare to the year that I spent in ruggedly beautiful Saglek.

My records show that the cliff was 1,680 feet straight down. When I departed Saglek in May 1958 the Snowcat only made it half way down the hill, or Rock as we called it. I had to walk the rest of the way to the Lower site and the runway with all my possessions, and eventually back to Goose Bay which was considered as part of civilization.

I then proceeded to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD the home of the 740^th AC&W Squadron.

--Theodore A (Ted) Grosz, Retired USAF Reserve -- (March 1998)