Saglek, Labrador

Prepared by:
Robert C Smith
2^nd Lt., USAF
Historical Officer

Martin J O’Shea
A/2C, AF 12419237
Historian

Progress continued, although prevailing weather conditions continued to hamper the immediate mission of the 924^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.

The most damaging weather occurred on 13 September. Winds reached a velocity of more than one hundred and twenty miles per hour. The Radome tore and collapsed at approximately 0420 and eight hours later the radar components housed in the dome were damaged considerably.

Two other storms, on 4 and 12 July, caused considerable damage to power lines. The fourth of July storm caused heavy icing on many power lines. In some places ice on the lines reached a diameter of ten inches.

The storm on the twelfth of July, though not as damaging as the others, deposited three-foot snow drifts on the road from the site proper to the lower camp. Because of the drifts, the road was closed for two days, seriously hampering water-hauling activities.

Two officers, Captain John Fabry and Second Lieutenant Robert Smith, were assigned to this organization during this period. Captain Fabry has assumed the duties of Air Installation Officer, while Lieutenant Smith is Controller in the Operations Section.

From 12 June to 22 August, the Operations Section worked with two Helicopters attached to this site from the 6615^th Air Transport Squadron at Goose Air Force Base. The helicopters, with eight officers and airmen, were utilized at this station in coordination with "Operation Eclipse" and "Operation Crater Lake". In conjunction with this, this squadron received a letter of commendation from Major Magnan, Commander of the 6615^th.

In the first part of July a flying object was sighted near Hebron. A report on this was submitted to Division. This was the first sighting of unknown objects in this vicinity.

During the month of September, a staff inspection was made of the Operations Section by Colonel Konosky, DCS/Operations, 64^th Air Division.

The Intelligence Section advanced into two fields within the three month period. Current intelligence messages are being received more readily and final dissemination of material in forwarding information to the appropriate sections has been improved.

Operations personnel in On-The-Job Training were given instructions in aircraft recognition and security. Reading of maps and map symbols was also a subject of study and lecture.

A new publication, ADC Mission Intelligence, ADC Manual 200-1, has been received and is being complied with.

A storm on 4 July accompanied by high winds and heavy icing caused more damage to power lines than any previous storm at the site. Ice reached a diameter of ten inches on some of the high lines before they finally broke. Many cross arms and poles became loaded with ice and broke. A line crew was sent from Goose Air Base to estimate the damage. The crew estimated that thirty poles and seventy cross arms would have to be replaced. They also estimated six miles of new cable and the restringing of all existing cables. On 6 July an inspection team from 64^th Air Division (Defense) visited the site to determine the extent of the damage. It was decided that no repairs would be made to the existing line since new cables of a different design are anticipated for late summer installation.

Auxiliary generators were set up at the RX, TX and water pumphouse, in order to supply power. The generators operated unsatisfactorily at the RX and TX and the entire month was spent without dependable VHF and UHF communications. The generator at the water pumphouse proved only slightly more dependable and had to be inspected and maintained almost hourly.

On 12 July a severe snow storm deposited approximately twelve inches of snow and accompanying winds caused three foot drifts across the roads. The roads were closed for two days during clearing operations. Due to the snow the water hauling schedule fell behind and it was necessary to run the truck and pump sixteen hours a day in order to refill the tank by the end of the month. The arrival of a reconditioned water truck during the latter part of July aided the situation but by the end of the month the truck was deadlined due to a defective starter.

During August the auxiliary generator at the water pumphouse ran satisfactorily. Water was pumped during the entire month. Attempts to keep generators running at the RX and TX continued to prove unsuccessful. Finally, a temporary power line was run from the main site to the TX and a new PE 195 generator was installed at the RX. After these arrangements were completed the communications situation improved.

The site rehabilitation contractor had all high lines and cross arms off the poles by the end of August and work was well under way toward setting additional poles in preparation for the new power cables.

During the month of September, Lieutenant John W Anderson was rotated to the Zone of Interior. He was replaced by Captain John Fabry.

Authorization was received from the 64^th Air Division (Defense) to temporarily transfer a 4 KW generator from the lower camp power house to the TX site. This was accomplished and communication facilities improved.

The carpentry section constructed magazine racks for each of the day rooms. Also, necessary shelving was installed for the Squadron library and Special Service storage.

The storage of diesel fuel at the RX and TX sites was begun this month. This fuel is for the operating of the generators and heating systems during the coming winter season.

The site rehabilitation contractor has set additional poles that are necessary in preparation for the new cable. He has also installed approximately twenty five storm perches at exit doors. Approximately forty per cent of the work has been completed on the incinerator, which will be located in the rear of the mess hall.

The Communications Section operated smoothly during the reporting period, 1 July through 30 September 1954.

Presently, the teletype is still not operating, although a great deal of progress has been made. Marconi representatives state installation should be completed during the month of October 1954.

The wire section installed five new telephones and removed four. Wiring has been completed to the main frame for VHF and UHF lines from the transmitter and receiver sites.

The crypto section operated with very few difficulties. Traffic volume has increased many times.

The radio transmitters were moved from tower two to the PX warehouse and new antennas were installed. Communications have improved due to a new frequency assignment.

Health and welfare of the troops for the past reporting period was good. This section recorded two hundred and four treated patients, six of which were admitted to the Dispensary for further care and treatment. Total number of man days lost due to illness was fourteen.

This section was visited on two occasions during the reporting period. Captain AF Struckman, Medical Supply Officer from Goose Bay was here two days, coordinating Medical Supply matters. Colonel John M Konosky, Deputy Commander, 64^th Air Division (Defense), inspected this section for housekeeping and management.

The first annual subsistence re-supply arrived by boat, 18 July 1954. One hundred sixty four tons of perishable and non-perishable supplies were received during that period. The approximate percentage of annual supply received was ninety eight per cent. Due to lack of sufficient storage space, difficulties were encountered in handling eight tons of perishable items, which were not accepted. Condition of supplies was good. A copy of the original shipping manifest was forwarded to the Commissary Officer, Goose Air Base.

The second shipment of subsistence supplies arrived 25 August 1954, consisting of eighty two tons of non-perishables. The approximate percentage was one hundred per cent. No difficulties were encountered in handling and storage.

Personnel subsistence has more than doubled for the month of September. The 826^th Aviation Engineers are drawing subsistence for two hundred thirty personnel. The Crawley and McCracken Catering Service is drawing subsistence for two hundred ten personnel. One hundred sixty Air Force and Marconi personnel are subsisting in the Air Force dining hall.

Aside from routine maintenance, the Motor Vehicle section operated smoothly during the reporting period, 1 July through 30 September 1954.

Under project SWAPPO, this organization received the following equipment: three trucks, utility, ¼ ton, 4x4, Willys, M36A1; two trucks, pick-up, ¾ ton, , 4x4 Dodge, M-37 and one truck cargo, 2 ½ ton, 6x6, Rso, M-36.

The following vehicles were also received during the reporting period: one truck, water tank, 1,000 gallon, 2 ½ ton, 6x6, Per, M-50; one trailer, ¼ ton, two wheel, M-100 and one trailer 1 ½ ton, two wheel,M-105, with generator PE 95 type mounted.

The following vehicles are awaiting shipment from this organization: two trucks, utility, ¼ ton, 4x4 Willys, M-38; two trucks, cargo, 2 ½ ton, 6x6, GMC, CCKW 353 and one truck, carryall, ¾ ton, 4x4, Dodge, WC 53.