Saglek, Labrador

Prepared by:
Carlin J Buttigig
1^st Lt., USAF
Historical Officer

During the months of October, November and December, the Operations Section faced a crisis which will long be remembered at Saglek. Personnel due to rotate in October were involuntarily extended 30 days beyond their DEROS dates. The same applied for the November rotatees, however, every effort was made to release personnel early enough to arrive home in time for Christmas. The involuntary extensions applied to all squadron personnel. Percentage wise, Operations was hard hit in that more personnel were due for rotation during the three month period and replacements didn’t arrive on the whole until late December. During this three month period the personnel losses were as follows: Five 27350’s and one 27330 were lost in October. Two 27350’s were lost during the month of November and two 27370’s and two 27330’s were lost in December. In November one 27370 arrived and in December twelve 27330’s arrived.

In October a three shift crew schedule was maintained, however, with the loss of personnel in November and December, a two shift crew schedule had to be organized on a seven day per week basis. This worked a hardship on all personnel but was borne with little complaining knowing that the extra hours of work made it possible for others to rotate in 13 months.

At the end of this quarter the manning for Operations Section is as follows:

The Operations Officer Captain George W McKay was promoted to Captain effective 23 November 1955. He went to Goose Air Base TDY for several days during the month of December for the purpose of receiving cross training at the 641^st AC&W Squadron and to meet the minimum flying requirements according to AFR 60-2. He returned to Goose Air Base 24 December to coordinate squadron provost marshal activities and to fulfill 60-2 requirements not previously fulfilled for the quarter.

The FPS-502 performed during the month of October with 1 hour and 33 minutes unscheduled time off the air. During the months of November and December it was used as a primary search when the FPS-3C was off the air for purpose of constructing a Rigid Radome. The FPS-502 was off the air during the month of November 89 hours and 25 minutes due to high winds. Time off the air in December was 8 hours and 10 minutes due to high winds, and 57 minutes for equipment failure.

The FPS-3C was out of commission for a total of 1 hour and 27 minutes in October due to equipment failure. It was also off the air 1200Z 5 October through 0910Z 11 October for the installation of a new pedestal. From 1 November to 1300 hours 7 November, when the antenna was dismantled for the Rigid Radome project, the FPS-3C was never off the air. From 7 November to the end of the reporting period the FPS-3C was off the air for Rigid Radome erection and then ROCP, as a result of storm damage.

The TPS-502 was out of commission for a total of 127 hours and 49 minutes in October owing this to equipment failure. It was out for 214 hours and 5 minutes in November because of equipment failure and was off the air for 17 hours due to high winds. The TPS-502 was off the air for 8 hours and 10 minutes 1 December for high winds. For the rest of the month it was off the air 57 hours and 30 minutes due to equipment failure.

Bulbs for the plotting board and the team to paint the plotting board has not arrived at this squadron.

During the month of October, the Prime Search Radar performed satisfactorily without excessive non-scheduled time off the air. From 5 through 11 October a new pedestal was installed and operated satisfactorily. The damaged pedestal has been crated and returned to the depot. A mercury delay line was found faulty and a new one ordered on emergency requisition.

The Height Finder was off the air 1 through 3 October due to trouble caused by an intermittent short in the interlock circuit. This equipment performed in a satisfactory manner during the remainder of the month.

The IFF equipment performed during October without any major difficulty.

The personnel situation for October improved somewhat with one man returning from TDY to this station. Efforts have been made to maintain at least ten hours per week for training of maintenance men although approximately eight hours were lost in October due to installation of the new pedestal on the prime search radar.

The operation of the pressurization systems on the three towers will be improved with the arrival of new anemometers, which have been ordered six months ago. Due to heavy icing and high winds, it is impossible to keep anemometers operational unless there is a change of installation and 100% spares available.

The 15-J-1C has been out of order for the entire month of October in that we have no technical orders on the equipment, or personnel adequately trained in its maintenance.

The month of November was characterized by frequent and severe wind storms. Winds in excess of 100 MPH were encountered many times during the reporting period. During a storm on 18 November 1955, the radome covering the height finder was punctured by a piece of wood blown by high winds. Through the alertness of men on duty operating the pressurizing system, the pressure was maintained within the radome for the duration of the storm. The hole was promptly patched after the storm had subsided, thus rendering the radome serviceable.

On 21 November the antenna of the prime search radar was destroyed by high winds. The antenna was destroyed when a storm interrupted the erection of an experimental Rigid Radome. The rubber radome was removed on 20 November and the erection of the Rigid Radome started immediately. Upon receiving a storm warning on 21 November all work was stopped on the Rigid Radome and the equipment was lashed to the tower in an attempt to prevent it from being damaged by the winds forecasted. At 2303 hours local, 23 November 1955, the first indication that the partially erected Rigid Radome was stating to break apart were noted. At this time the station was experiencing wind velocities in excess of 110 MPH. The Rigid Radome continued to break apart for the next eight hours until it was totally destroyed. Pieces of the radome were blown to the south and struck adjacent buildings and corridors. Damage was caused to the buildings in three places. The antenna was completely destroyed by the severe winds and the flying Rigid Radome in particular.

The back-up search performed exceedingly well during the reporting period. The back-up search was in operation continuously from the time that the prime search was shut down for erection of the Rigid Radome until the end of the reporting period. No major operational difficulties were experienced during this period.

The height finder caused considerable trouble through the intermittent malfunction of chopper G3201, located in the servo amplifier.

During the month of December the AN/FPS-502 was utilized as the prime search; this was due to the fact that the AN/FPS-3C is still inoperative due to storm damage experienced during November. The AN/FPS-502 has operated very satisfactorily, this is partially due to the fact that all maintenance personnel have been trained and familiarized with adjustments and maintenance of the equipment. The only period of shut down was due to high wind conditions.

The height finder has been performing very satisfactorily. Only two shut downs occurred during this period; one was because of servo amplifier trouble and the other due to high winds.

The AN/UPA-37 was installed and the 15-J-1C has been operating satisfactorily since 15 December 1955. The operation of this equipment has been very useful to Operations in the training of controllers and new personnel.

During the reporting period one 30372 rotated and another reported in for duty. Also, two 30332’s were assigned to this unit. This helped relieve the work load in maintenance, but a shortage of skilled personnel still exists. All three level personnel have completed their OJT and area awaiting five level tests.

Mr. Fred Jackson from Marconi was assigned here 28 December 1955. He is a temporary representative pending the arrival of another technical representative from Marconi.

The Communications Section suffered the loss of two airmen during the month of December due to rotation. During the month of December six airmen for the Communications Section were acquired. There has been a negative change in the civilian personnel, which leaves the section at the end of the reporting period with 29 military personnel, and one civilian.

The shortage of UHF antennas has become critical. With the loss of five antennas during the last storm we now have four in operating condition. Severe icing and high winds resulted in the complete destruction of the antennas.

Two UHF transmitters have been moved in Operations due to lack of UHF antennas. The transmitters and receivers are operated together with the use of one antenna. This operation has proved satisfactory. Future planning calls for the installation to be moved to tower one. The crystals for the following frequencies have not arrived; 126.18 and 137.88.

The shortage of radio repairmen makes proper maintenance a difficult job. With the winter weather, the proper care and repair of antennas is difficult and almost impossible to maintain.

Parts for UHF single channel transmitters have been most difficult to obtain. These parts are vitally needed and were first requisitioned in May and were re-requisitioned in August.

Frequent power failures at the transmitter site, due to continuous storms from 18 November to date, have seriously hampered radio communications. UHF and VHF emergency channel transmitters have been moved into Operations, thus enabling these channels to operate during such failure periods. Without power it was impossible to de-ice the LF antenna, and as a result it came down several times during the reporting period. Two T-282 UHF radio transmitters were out of commission due to power failure and loss of antennas. This section has been greatly crippled by the severe storms encountered by this station. The transmitters were moved from the transmitter site to the upper site on 20 and 22 November and put back into operation.

The following equipment was inoperative from 17 November because of power failure and the loss of antennas caused by severe storms during that month; four FRT-502 transmitters, one TH-49 transmitter, two TH-41 transmitters, one GRC-27 transmitter, and one civilian homer beacon. The equipment most needed by the station, and most often not on hand, is UHF and VHF antennas for the FRT-502 and GRC-27.

Proper parts on hand for circuit requirements are very low. Fuses and lamps for the telephone switchboard have been on back order for some time without result. At present fuses are being fabricated with fuse wire by our personnel.

Due to snow, ice, and high winds breaking dropwires, the telephone drops at the lower camp are in poor operating condition. Weather conditions together with the shortage of personnel makes getting to the lower camp to repair damage difficult.

The 1^st Communications Construction Squadron has had a team of four men TDY for the purpose of rehabilitating the outside telephone plant. Some of this work was accomplished during the summer months by our personnel. The team has been very helpful in repairing damage to cables etc., during two severe wind storms. Their help was appreciated and it is our hope that our cooperation with them was satisfactory.

Four M-19 teletype machines have been removed to maintenance due to lack of parts. These machines have been cannibalized to keep the rest of the teletype equipment in operating condition.

On 21 October 1955 the "Vela", LST #287, docked at Saglek Bay with the yearly supply requirements for this site. It contained vehicles, subsistence, PX supplies and supplies in general. The total weight in pounds was 633,968. This weight included items which were not accepted by this organization and were sent back to Goose Air Base.

Vehicles in general, were in poor maintenance and in need of repairs. Upon receipt, the vehicles were deadlined in order to make necessary repairs, which consisted mostly of snow removal equipment. Parts needed were bearings and engine overhaul equipment. Considerable difficulty is still being encountered with vehicle parts. This has necessitated an unusual amount of emergency requisitions placed on the support base. This situation is expected to improve when stock requirements are supplied.

The PX supplies were in poor condition as most boxes were broken open and individual cans of beer in particular were removed. These shortages were reflected on the cargo manifest and returned to Goose Air Base by the squadron. Other supplies were in good shape upon arrival at this site.

Upon termination of the November storm, damage was surveyed and ROCP requisitions were submitted to the support base for the prime search radar. Positive supply action has been taken on all items by Goose Air Base with notification of action to this unit and 64^th Air Division (Defense). The prime search radar is still inoperative at the end of this reporting period.

1^st Lt. Glenn D Pocock, the Radar Maintenance Officer, was acting Air Installations Officer at the beginning of the quarter. During the month of October Captain James B Kellogg came to this site, as Air Installations Officer, from Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland. Upon arrival he immediately began rearranging the section. The AIO section was rearranged, painted, and part of the PX warehouse was converted into a work room.

One T/Sgt., Thomas E Brown, AFSC: 55270, was lost during this quarter. Also lost during the quarter was A/2C Emilio Osorio, AFSC: 56530, and A/1C Kenneth L Hall, AFSC: 55250. Replacements for these rotatees have not arrived.

The personnel situation for this section remains dim. Power plant operators, plumbers, electricians, steam plant operators, experienced snow removal personnel, and mechanics remain scarce. Some sections are presently working 12 hour shifts, 7 days per week.

The snowgo received during the last shipping season is still inoperative due to lack of parts. One snowmobile, also received in October, has a badly scared cylinder wall and therefore is in need of a new engine. These vehicles have never operated since arrival at the site, however, the snowgo should be operational soon, and a new engine has been requisitioned for the snowmobile.

The lower camp continues to present problems daily. Adequate fire prevention and fire fighting equipment is practically non-existent. Of the three power generators at the lower camp, two are deadlined for parts. Adequate manpower is presently unavailable to operate and maintain this equipment. Housekeeping is very poor in that water is hauled by truck and its use for food preparation and kitchen cleanliness naturally comes first. The personnel assigned duty at the lower camp work an average 14 hour day, 7 days per week. This situation should be relieved when Headquarters USAF authorizes the 13 man detachment to man the lower camp.

The Commander departed the squadron 12 December 1955 for a TDY trip to Goose Air Base to coordinate administrative matters and fulfill his 60-2 flying requirements.

In the month of November this section lost S/Sgt. Louis E Ethridge, AFSC: 73250, and A/1C Leo L Viechec, AFSC: 73251, which left the entire administrative burden upon two 70250’s and one 70010. The arrival of one 73251 in December helped to relieve the workload of the administrative personnel.

In December, M/Sgt. Paul W Knodel, AFSC: 73170, rotated, which left the First Sergeants slot unfilled. T/Sgt. Wygel, the medical NCO, acted as 1^st Sergeant and did a very commendable job.

Timeliness of reports has become increasingly difficult due to lack of aircraft. We are now allowing 12 days for reports to travel to 64^th Air Division Headquarters and 6 days for reports to reach Goose Air Base.

The overall personnel picture improved considerably in late December. Should replacements continue to arrive during the next few months, the squadron should be up to full strength in the near future.

Requests for changes to the Unit Manning Document were submitted in July 1955 and have not as yet been approved or disapproved by higher headquarters. A request for authorization was submitted last April for a 13 man detachment at the lower camp. This has been approved by the 64^th Air Division Headquarters and NEAC, however, final approval is still pending decision at Headquarters USAF.

The lower camp has caused considerable hardship on the squadron and has placed a terrific workload on personnel detailed there for duty. The maintenance of the airfield and road to upper site is their primary mission which is difficult with the personnel and equipment available. All personnel stationed at the lower camp are loaned from the squadron which brought the squadron manning to a dangerously low level during the reporting period.

The Recruiting Program, OJT Program, Ground Safety Program, and Character Guidance Program has suffered during this period due to the shortage of personnel, weather conditions, and lack of aircraft. The longest period of time between aircraft during the reporting period was 18 days. Now that the squadron is gaining more personnel, morale is rising, enthusiasm is ever present, and at the closing of this period there are numerous indications that all squadron activities, and programs will be on the incline.

During the months of November and December the squadron encountered heavy snow falls with the temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s. This resulted in closing the 5 ½ mile road to the lower camp in that the snow was too mountainous to move and too soft to travel over. Helicopters from the 6615^th Air Transport squadron located at Goose Air Base were at this squadron for part of this time and provided valuable assistance in hauling food, mail and personnel to and from the lower camp.

At the beginning of the reporting period this section had one medical supervisor, T/Sgt. Cleadis G Smith, AFSC: 90270. He was due for rotation in October but was extended into November and at the same time every effort was made to obtain a replacement. On 5 November, T/Sgt. Merle H Wygel, AFSC: 90270, arrived this squadron in a TDY status from Pepperrell Air Force Base, Newfoundland. This enabled Sgt. Smith to rotate on 12 November.

On 12 December M/Sgt. Reginald P Butler, AFSC: 90270, and A/2Cduane D Black, AFSC: 90230, arrived in a PCS status from the ZI. Thus on 13 December Sergeant Wygel was able to return to his home organization. This organization is very appreciative of the services performed by Sergeant Wygel during his TDY at this station. He did a very commendable job.

The health and welfare of military personnel during the last three months was relatively good. There were no serious illnesses during the period and treatment given was for colds, cuts and bruises. Six hundred and sixty-three (663) patients were treated during the past three months which includes any and all types of treatments.

During the October, November and December reporting period the Food Service Section faced a critical shortage of personnel. After completing a one month extension beyond the DEROS dates, the following personnel were allowed to rotate: S/Sgt. Norman E Shanklin, AFSC: 62150, S/Sgt. Lawrence F Stockford, AFSC: 62250, A/1C William R Gilbreath, AFSC: 62250, A/3C Robert L Ward, AFSC: 62019, and A/3C Luther Ward, AFSC: 62010.

During this period, S/Sgt. Jack D Hayes, AFSC: 62250, was transferred to the lower camp. His duty was to cook for all personnel located there. This includes all baking and kitchen chores which are normally done by mess attendants.

Arrivals during the three month period were one 62230 and one 62010. This leaves the entire food service section with only six of an authorized nine personnel.

The food has been very well prepared during the last three months taking into consideration the shortage of personnel. Shortages in fresh fruit and vegetables are evident at the closing of the reporting period.

A delicious meal was planned for Thanksgiving Day which was scheduled between 1330 hours to 1700 hours. It was eagerly anticipated by all, which resulted in a large number of personnel volunteering to assist with the chores in preparing such a large and delicious meal. The same was true at Christmas, at which time the dining hall was decorated for the occasion.

The Personnel Services Section has no personnel authorized with the exception of one information specialist. This slot has not been filled during this quarter.

With volunteer help the squadron radio station, "SKAG" has operated seven days a week, for five hours per day, Monday through Friday and nine and one-half hours on Saturday and Sunday. The CR-91 radio receiver previously used in the radio station to monitor the Armed Forces Radio Service Programs is being used in Operations to monitor one of the authorized channels, consequently, at present there are no means of monitoring the programs.

The temperature control warehouse garage is presently being used as a theatre. The garage is not used during winter months and has proved to be an asset to the movie program.

Movies are arriving this station in good condition, however, with the scarcity of aircraft, movies are not shown regularly. Equipment for 16mm projectors is scarce. Sound track bulbs, stock #27807, 4 volt ¾ amp lamp and 115 volt 750 watt double contact and opaque top projection lamp are quite often needed.

At the beginning of the reporting period the motor pool was partially converted into a gymnasium. Many volunteers were solicited to do the job and enthusiasm was ever present. Volleyball and basketball were the sports most played. With the onslaught of winter, the motor pool had to be used for storage and maintenance of motor vehicles which necessitated the discontinuance of that area.

There is no other area available large enough for sports other than weight lifting, ping pong and pool. These games and facilities are used constantly.

A gymnasium is needed to enable all personnel to release the pent up energy which isolation brings on. It is believed that a gymnasium may be built during the next construction season, however, no definite indication of this can be found.