Red Cliff, NF

1951 – 108th AC&W Squadron – Don Nicks


108th AC&W Squadron

Preliminary work on what would prove to be called NEAC’s (Northeast Air Command) permanent radar system began in 15 August 1950. ConAC sent a survey party to look at sites in Newfoundland, Labrador and Baffin Island. The USAF authorized the Army Engineers to proceed on 27 March 1951 with design and construction of sites in the approved areas.

While work went ahead on the so-called permanent system, a temporary station, often referred to as lash-up radar net, was thrown up. The following detail applies to the 108th AC&W Squadron which was to be located at Red Cliff, NF:

Site

Type of Site

Location

Unit

Remarks on AC&W Unit

Radar
Equipment

Approximate
Date Station Operational

L-22

ADDC

Red Cliff,
Newfoundland

108th
AC&W
Squadron

1 August 1951 – Federalized

AN/CPS-5
AN/MPS-4

June 1952

 

The 108th AC&W Squadron was an Air National Guard unit that had been Federalized (called to active duty) on 1 August 1951 - exactly two years prior to becoming the 642nd AC&W Squadron. It began operations during the summer of 1952, as an Air Defense Direction Center of the Northeast Air Command Center Temporary Radar System (L-22). The 642nd AC&W Squadron would eventually be constructed at the same location as the 108th AC&W Squadron.

Details of the NEAC (Northeast Air Command) Permanent Radar System as it applied to Red Cliff, NF are as follows:

Site

Type of Site

Location

Unit

Remarks on AC&W Units

Radar
Equipment

Approximate Date Station Operational

N-22

ADDC

Red Cliff
Pepperrell
NF

642nd
AC&W
Squadron

1 August 1953 - Re-designated from 108th

AN/CPS-6B
AN/FPS-502
AN/TPS-502

Mid 1954