924th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
United States Air Force
APO 677, New York, New York
To:
LOCATION: The 924th AC&W Squadron is a remote radar site, located in Labrador.
HISTORY: The site itself was built in memory of a B-26 crew that safely crashed landed here in 1942, but, not knowing they were only 20 miles from Hebron Eskimo Village, they all died of starvation.
CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY: The site is situated on a 1,800 ft. cliff which overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean, in the rocky area of Labrador. The temperature ranges from a low of minus 45 degrees in winter to a high of 70 degrees in summer. The country is really beautiful in an unusual sort of manner, so you will want to bring your camera in order to share your experiences with your family.
TRANSPORTATION: Military aircraft to the 924th AC&W Squadron (Saglek). No additional transportation needed or available.
HOUSING: There is no family housing at this station. A personnel assigned to the station live under one roof. The squadron site contains 37 large buildings all connected by heated corridors.
ROOMS: Single (private) rooms approximately 8' x 10'.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Although a relatively small station, the facilities include a base exchange, library, theater, Airmen's Club, NCO Club, and Officer's Lounge. We have table tennis, pool, darts, movies, cards and organized games such as basketball, volleyball and badminton. During the summer months we also have softball and excellent fishing. We would like to suggest that you bring a radio; although you can't pick up the states, we do have our own radio station, which plays the best of radio programs.
MAIL: Mail service ranges from poor to horrible both on incoming and outgoing mail. Deliveries are sometimes held up for 5 to 30 days. We would like to stress this point with you, as you will want to inform your family and friends. We do have facilities for money orders and stamps may be purchased.
SCHOOLS: None
LAUNDRY: There are no dry cleaning facilities available at this station. Whatever you bring should be washable. We have automatic washing machines, automatic dryers, and steam irons (manually operated) available for your use.
TOUR: Twelve months
MORALE: The morale of the personnel assigned to this station is considered to be the highest in the command, in spite of the adverse living conditions.
GENERAL INFORMATION: It would be advisable to bring about four sets of khakis, as the uniform of the day is khakis, the year round. Blues are also needed for TDY trips to Goose Air Base. For enlisted personnel, fatigues are also considered the uniform of the day. You should also bring an ample supply of washable civilian clothing.
Let me also advise you to make necessary provisions for allotments to your family before departing the states. If you wait until you arrive here to initiate this action it will take about three months for it to actually go into effect. A further suggestion would be to draw three months advance pay and leave necessary funds with your family. In the interest of married personnel it is extremely advisable that a will be executed and power of attorney be transferred to your wife.
General expenses per month for airmen are from $5.00 to $20.00 depending upon yourself. NCOs generally spend $15.00 and Officers' expenses include at least $30.00 for food and usually $10.00 to $20.00 above that.
Do not be dismayed about your assignment. Living conditions are generally good, expenses very low and the food is excellent. We will be happy to have you aboard, and if we can serve you in any other way, please feel free to write us.
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SIDNEY D EGGLESTON 1st Lt., USAF Adjutant |