Red Cliff, NF

1961 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
642nd AC&W Squadron
Red Cliff, NF
1 April 1961 to 30 June 1961

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
APO 862, New York, New York

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

William A Nansen, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Goose Air Defense Sector
    64th Air Division (Defense)
    Air Defense Command.

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • Detachment #1, 642nd AC&W Squadron, Elliston Ridge, Bonavista, Newfoundland.

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • Authority: Paragraph 1, Section V, General Orders 25, Headquarters Northeast Air Command, dated 5 June 1953.
    Primary Mission: The mission of the 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, as stated in Goose Air Defense Sector Regulation 20-10, dated 30 June 1960, is to conduct Air Defense Operations within assigned area of responsibility as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3 and function as a Surveillance Station in the Air Defense system.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    9

    110

    41

    160

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/CPS-6B (1); AN/FPS-502 (1); AN/GRC-27 (5); AN/FRT-502 (2).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    The 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is attached to the 64th Air Division (Defense). It is a Surveillance station responsible to the 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (ADDC).

    Operations:

    Losses – Detachment #1, 642nd ACW Squadron, Elliston Ridge, Newfoundland, became inactive at 2050Z, 28 June 1961.

    Projects – Four (4) 27350A (E-5) completed the OJT within this section. They were given four phase tests and received an average score of 95%. They were all administered the 27350A APT on 7 and 8 July 1961. Results will be forthcoming.

    Systems Training Missions – We participated in 30 STM’s during this reporting period.

    Synthetic Intercepts Accomplished – One hundred and seventy-nine singles and 76 multiples.

    Actual Intercepts Accomplished - 34 singles.

    Personnel:

    Authorized versus assigned problems: Authorized: Officers – 8; Enlisted – 107; Assigned: Officers – 9; Enlisted – 110.

    Problems – Although our assigned strength is above our authorized strength, this does not show a true picture in manning authorization. We have overages in sections where certain AFSC’s are not authorized and shortages in the sections which are responsible for accomplishing the mission of the squadron.

    Equipment Performance:

    Canadian Marconi Company installed a depot level modification in the MTI system on the AN/FPS-14 at Elliston Ridge on 14 April 1961.

    Contractor Assistance was given by Canadian Marconi Company to Elliston Ridge on 23 April 1961, to correct troubles inherent to the modification to the MTI system of the AN/FPS-14 Radar.

    C-22B, Elliston Ridge Gap Filler Radar, was directed by Goose Air Defense Sector to cease operation, 28 June 1961.

    Problems – High winds on 3 April 1961, were responsible for the unlashing of overhead cabling at this station. Emergency maintenance was requested from Canadian Marconi since this was beyond the capability of assigned personnel.

    Projects – Project "Golden Rod" was completed during the month of May and all information was forwarded to GADS. This project was initiated by 64th AD to complete all plant-in-place records for telephone and wire facilities.

    Facilities:

    Programs – The archway to the main gate has been completed; also painting of the Steam Plant, Diesel Plant and the Theatre have been accomplished.

    Fire Prevention – The program of inspections and checks has continued. Civilian workers have completed their training as an additional fire team. A new fire prevention brochure had been forwarded to 64th AD.

    Maintenance and Supply:

    Supply Support – The support from Ernest Harmon AFB, especially through AFSS, reflected quite an improvement during this period. During the visit to Harmon AFB Supply by Lt. Col. Harris, Goose ADS, a solution was found whereby our requirements could be filled even if SAC funds were depleted for the quarter, hence precluding the long delay awaiting available funds. In that our SAC Forms 263 requisitions were retained at GADS, some difficulty was experienced since requisitions for other organizations were recorded on SAC Form 263 bearing 642nd ACW Squadron code. These errors created a situation whereby our control register would reflect missing documents. On other occasions, the property would come in on our control numbers which had not been requisitioned. Immediately upon notification that operations would cease 30 June 1961, all requisitions were cancelled for any equipment and supplies which could not be consumed prior to 30 September 1961, as per Goose ADS instructions.

    Transportation – Support has been very good from Ernest Harmon AFB Transportation Office; however, we are experiencing considerable delay in receipt of "Hold Baggage".

    Surpluses – Technical Supply took action to reduce the number of AF Form 84B’s maintained on repair parts. AF Form 84B’s that reflected no action since 1958 were removed from the files, the parts removed from the bins and packed, awaiting disposition. The total number of 84B’s maintained were reduced from approximately 5,700 to 2,732. Disposition instructions were received on practically all equipment reported on project "Money Tree" and the equipment was shipped as directed.

    Efficiency and Maintenance – Good.

    Personnel Services:

    There has been no reportable changes in Personnel Services activities during this period.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    William A Nansen, Major, USAF

    Signature