Sioux Lookout, ON

During this reporting period Major Carl A Lindberg assumed the duties as Operations Officer, replacing Major Gates M McCaulley, who rotated to the ZI.

During this period we had exercise "Sky Shield", a NORAD mission designed to test the capabilities of NORAD to defend its area of responsibility against an enemy air attack. According to reports received from Duluth Air Defense Sector, this station accomplished its mission in an excellent manner. The Duluth Air Defense Sector is continuing to run Sector STP and SSTM problems. These problems have assisted the operations personnel to improve the over-all performance of this section. During this reporting period 30^th Air Division has continued to run "Think Ahead" missions. These missions are scheduled once a month. A total of 225 intercepts were run.

Captain Willoughby, Lts. Watkins and Cloninger were up-graded to the "Skilled" level of Director. Captain Bundage and Lt. Barndt were upgraded to "Combat Read" Director.

Awards – A/2C George B Muzzy was nominated "Pinetopper of the Month".

During the period of this report construction and foundation of the AN/FPS-6B radar tower has been started, progress is satisfactory. The contract for installation of the AN/FPS-6B was awarded to Canadian Aviation Electronics.

Disposition instructions for the Canadian manufactured AN/TPS-502 height finder have been received from Air Materiel Command. The TPS-502 will be disposed of upon commissioning of the Canadian manufactured AN/FPS-6B, which is almost identical to the American manufactured AN/FPS-6B, so much so that the same Technical Orders will be used. All materials including tower, radome, and the 6-B’s themselves are on station.

The Radar Search set AN/FPS-20 had a major modification completed during this period. The modification eliminated a complex oil lubricating system in the pedestal, which required extensive repair, maintenance, parts, time off the air, expense and inspection. The modification eliminated all of these discrepancies. The modifications were removal of two metal bearings and installation of one Teflon bearing in contact with stainless steel, thus eliminating the requirement for lubrication. The modification was manufactured by Bendix Radio and installed by Canadian Aviation Electronics.

The UMD manning continues to be 100% for this section of which 98% of all assigned personnel are either 5 or 7 level.

M/Sgt. Kenneth L Piercy was assigned during this period assuming the duties of NCOIC , Communications and Electronics section. This section feels fortunate that Sgt. Piercy was assigned because of his vast experience in C&E, Administration, Radar Evaluation and with the Inspector General, USAFE.

The unit authorization list has increased approximately one hundred and twenty line items due to the revision of the Canadian Master Equipment Authorization List. This required the submission of numerous UAL change requests which have been submitted and approved. The CAN/MEAL revision was directed by our support wing for the purpose of standardizing all sites on the Pinetree Line, and further, authorizing us to obtain electronics test equipment from US sources only.

Personnel manning remains below UMD authorization, but within the next thirty to sixty days an improvement is expected since requisitions have been submitted for our recent UMD increase.

The unit has received four (4) additional Radar Scopes, UPS-35, which have been sent to Canadian Aviation Electronics for complete overhaul. These scopes are expected back in approximately six (6) months.

The food service section had 4 visits during this period, all of which were during the month of July. The 4602^nd Support Wing conducted its staff visit and no discrepancies were noted. Lt. Colonel Gibson, officer in charge of subsistence supplies RCASC, Supply Depot, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and no major problems were noted. Also in July, the 30^th Air Division Medical team visited this section at the same time the 4602^nd Support Wing Veterinary team accomplished its visit with no derogatory information noted.

The Air Police section gained two (2) NCO’s during this reporting period. S/Sgt. Brooks and S/Sgt. JC Ledford. A/2C Edward Baker returned to the ZI. Plans are being made for remodelling of the Main Gate House, which we hope to accomplish in the near future. The status of discipline and morale remains high.

During this reporting period the new Airman’s Lounge was completed and is now formally called the "Pinetoppers Lounge". A general meeting of all members was called, and officers and committees elected. The following committees govern the operation of the Lounge, with duties as indicated:

House Committee – Responsible for overall effectiveness and improvements in the "Pinetoppers Lounge" operation.

Entertainment Committee – Responsible for planning publicity and scheduling the "Pinetoppers Lounge" activities and programs.

Refreshment Committee – Responsible for providing refreshments for special activities and operation of the Lounge Snack Bar.

A joint meeting of these committees was held and house rules were drawn up and approved for the Lounge. All monies earned from the refreshment bar are turned into the unit fund custodian and in turn put into the "Pinetoppers Lounge" account for purchases needed for the operation of the lounge. At the present time the personnel services office is now located in the lounge and is an integral part of the facilities offered to off-duty airmen.

At present the 915^th is anxiously awaiting the completion of the Multi-Purpose Recreation Building (MPRB) which is now about 35% complete. If the weather holds favorable, the contractor hopes to complete the building by the first of next year (1961). The MPRB will greatly improve the recreational facilities at this remote site. It will contain a theater, and when the chairs are cleared, a dance floor, photo hobby shop, small crafts hobby shop, snack bar, library, lounge, BX and two bowling alleys. One of the main problems in providing recreation for small AC&W squadrons is a shortage of personnel to supervise the facilities that are available. In addition, AC&W Squadrons normally have 75% of its personnel working shift hours, 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This makes it very desirable to keep special services facilities open more than just eight hours per day. The new recreation building will consolidate our recreational facilities and thus make it possible to provide these services more hours per week with fewer supervisory personnel. The MPRB will go far towards making this remote station more liveable and efficient and should help greatly to increase morale.

The orderly room gained three (3) new personnel during the reporting period. 1^st Lt. Glen W Askew, Jr. replaced 1^st Lt. Homer C Mittelstadt as Personnel-Administration Officer. Lt. Askew came from Yuma, Arizona, and Lt. Mittelstadt has returned to the ZI. S/Sgt. Harold H Balke arrived the later part of September to supplement the Administration Section replacing S/Sgt. Frank Luciani who has been reassigned to Headquarters ADC. Captain Edmund B Colemba arrived from Headquarters ADC in July to become the Squadron Executive Officer, replacing Captain Bill Moore who is now in Officers Assignments, Headquarters ADC.

During the summer months and at the very beginning of the fall we have finally seen the launching of programs that will affect the areas of Communications and Electronics, Power and Heat production and Health Welfare and Morale.

Along these lines siting for sophisticated communications systems for SAGE has been completed and work has been started and is continuing on erection of towers to support these advanced electronics systems. A necessary increase in power and heat production was needed to support these added facilities and we are advised that new diesels are to be installed and a new steam boiler added. The power house building is being expanded easterly to accommodate these additions. Although the next item was completed in June it is felt that mention should be made here of an installation activity that has enhanced a squadron recreational pastime to quite a degree. Former commanders were able to lease property from the Crown through the Department of Lands and Forests. This lease is handed down from commander to commander upon completion of tours.. The land in question was used as the squadron boat dock area beginning in 1957. During 1958 and 1959, however, other land areas bordering lake waters were used that were closer to the community. This was considered a convenience for squadron personnel who lived in the community and on base because of a more central location. Subsequent dealings with land-owners of these areas proved unsatisfactory and a decision was made to re-open the original boat dock area since its lease was still in good standing. Under the guidance of the commander the Installations staff compiled a work force of men, equipment, and materials and set to work completely re-building the access road to the original area. Bush was cut, land was levelled and graded properly and the installation of culverts completed for proper drainage. Approximately 1800 yards of fill were needed and volunteer personnel worked for 3 weeks to complete this project. A utility building was erected on site from donated material and labor with the Installations section providing technical assistance. A vast improvement was immediately realized and the popularity of the area was duly noted from the increased use of this facility during the summer months. Periodic maintenance should provide the squadron with a suitable recreation area for many years to come.

After many months of preparation or renovation, the NCO Club was officially opened. Actually, the club never closed during the remodelling but remained open with full facilities mearly by using tables as a bar during the actual bar room remodelling. A rough bar was built in sections at the base IEO Carpenter shop then transported by truck to the club, set in place and the sections fitted to its final form. Several weeks elapsed before the bar covering arrived to put the final top on. Everything worked smoothly with a minimum of delay.

The front padding was installed, the mahogany rail attached and on the afternoon of the target date for the Grand Opening, the bar chairs arrived. Even though the work was not 100% complete, the appearance was such that the Grand Opening proved a high success.

By this time it was realized that more storage space was needed. Plans were drafted and with the approval of the IEO section, work was started on a portable store room which was completed in short order and will remain in use until such time as a permanent store room is built.

Four (4) double booths were ordered and at the same time enough plastic material ordered to match the new booths. This material was used to re-cover the old booths. In all, seating space for 16 to 20 persons were added. Booths ends had to be hand built for the re-covered ones. Modern wall plaques were purchased to fill in the bare wall spaces and this in itself greatly improved the appearance.

It must be remembered that the club was almost 100% remodelled. The entire inner shape was changed. A completely different type bar was built. The hall was closed on one end giving plenty of space for a cloak room.

The first few months were spent nearly wrecking the old club. This consisted of removing walls, the old bar, old plumbing and electrical wiring. Very little material arrived the first few months and when it did trickle in, it was articles that had to be used last, paint for example, arrived first.

The following facts are worthy of mention. The plans and prints were locally drawn by enlisted personnel. All labor was done by enlisted personnel and not one cent was paid out for any construction (labor).

The following are the main items that were accomplished within this reporting period:

Floor in the bar raised one (1) foot.

New 32 inch low bar built.

New beverage cooler installed.

New plumbing installed.

New bar canopy built.

Look through divider built between bar and lounge.

New bar room tile installed.

New electrical fixture installed in bar with dimming device.

New light defusers built in bar and lounge.

Multi colored lights installed in lounge with separate selector switch for each color (red, blue and white)

Hallway sealed on one end and converted to cloak room.

New draperies made by NCO wives.

14 brass planters hung over the divider, planters a gift from the wives club.

New booths installed and old booths re-covered.

New store room built and covered.

The entire interior repainted.