Red Cliff, NF

Air Surveillance – During this period the traffic load has been relatively heavy. With new equipment giving additional range, the coverage has been greatly extended along with the capability to track and intercept Jet-type aircraft. The flow of surveillance information from adjacent and attached stations has improved in speed and accuracy.

Movements & Identification – A high percentage of unknown tracks continues to exist because of the lack of timely and accurate flight plan information. Many late or revised flight plans are received on tracks being carried as unknown. Also, many aircraft operate locally with no clearances. Many tracks remain unknown because of the inability to make interceptions due to the location of the Interceptor Squadron at such a great distance from the Direction Center.

Intercept Activity – Intercept activity is slowly increasing but the great distance between the Interceptor base and this station require that many tracks are not intercepted. The weather has limited intercept activities as well as poor communications both Air to Ground and between Direction Centers. Recovery bases are inadequate as to runway lengths, GCA and refueling and rearming capabilities. Frequent situations arise where the Interceptor pilots are unable to obtain a positive identification on dark nights.

Air Defense Exercises – Weekly simulated Air Defense Exercises are conducted at this station in an attempt to obtain efficient coordination and teamwork between the Duty Controllers and the Chief Controller. Early missions spotlighted weaknesses which have been eliminated. At present, four or five Controllers can work under a Chief Controller with a minimum of confusion or and noise. One problem is a lack in number of Target Simulator targets. A request has been made for additional Simulators.

Communications – Point to point communications are excellent as far as performance of present circuits are concerned, but a definite shortage exists in point communications from this station to the adjacent ADDC, to Argentia tower and GCA, and to the Gander site. New UHF radio equipment was very unreliable at first but now the UHF radio is excellent due to maintenance personnel weather proofing cables and transmitters and receiving equipment. Excellent range has been regularly obtained. Back-up land lines and back-up radio is poor.

Personnel – All AC&W personnel are well trained and very proficient as a result of a school conducted at this station. A slight shortage exists as to number. At the present time, there are sufficient Controllers in number but the majority are untrained in actual field experience. All are graduates of the Air Force Controllers school and they are given two weeks training before going on duty at this station.

Wire Maintenance – During the reporting period, the Communications Section continued to check the internal communications system within the operations room. This has resulted in improved usage of internal communications by means of patching. This will be a continuing project.

On 14 September, four (4) UHF channels were permanently wired into controllers scope #5, 6, 7 and 8. This extends the capability of these scopes to 7 channels with 4 being permanently wired in and three that are patched into scopes as desired by the senior director on duty.

An intercom system has been installed at the senior directors position utilizing master intercom station with slave positions located at receiver building, back-up radio position, lash-up station and radio monitor’s position. This furnished the controllers instant communications for reporting maintenance difficulties and/or coordination between the above listed points.

Radio Maintenance – During August 1954, the transmitter and receiver sites became operational. The lash-up air to ground equipment was phased out and the majority of this equipment turned in to Unit Supply. Presently, this station has the capability of 8 UHF radio channels and 2 VHF radio channels.

This station is installing one AN/GRC-27 and one AN/FRT-502 radio equipment. This gives the capability of one UHF and one VHF channel independent of our receiver and transmitter buildings. This equipment is being utilized as back-up for the transmitter and receiver stations.

"L" Site – During July and August, one Radar Maintenance man from each team was assigned to the "L" Site to perform maintenance. This system has the obvious disadvantage of a lack of continuity in maintenance and operating work. Commencing 15 August 1954, one maintenance man, A/1C Robert C Morris, was assigned permanently to the site. He performed all maintenance and was present during the majority of PM’s. One diesel mechanic was assigned to the "L" Site permanently to perform maintenance on the power units. A high degree of maintenance and operating efficiency has been obtained by the assignment of personnel on a permanent basis to the "L" Site.

The wind screen canvas sections were all replaced with sturdier, reinforced sections during the month of September by Base AIO, a complete clean up of the site was accomplished during this time which included obsolete wiring, material no longer required and a rearrangement of electronic equipment in operations room to insure a more efficient system when used as backup radar coverage for the "P" site.

No major difficulties were incurred during this period with the Buda Diesels PE-185 B. Buda #10 was returned from Base maintenance shops and installed September 28^th and Buda #12 was sent to shop on same day for routine yearly overhaul.

The AN/CPS-5 search radar has been used as back-up equipment since June 9^th when the permanent site became operational. During the month of July the 400 cycle generator was on breakdown due to a faulty voltage generator; when needed parts arrived, repairs were made and the unit returned to service. Excessive arcing in the video system was caused by antenna control slewing motor. This trouble was remedied by exciting the antenna amphidyne field by a variable DC source resulting in a much smoother operation of the antenna drive motor and associated gear train. The AN/CPS-5 search radar has performed extremely well during this period and no major difficulties occurred.

The AN/MPS-4 height radar has been inoperative during this period due to highly oxidized wave guide sections. This fault has been noted in reports dating back a year ago. The slip ring assembly became moisture saturated and all drying out efforts failed to return this component to normal. A new assembly was received but not installed until it has been ascertained that waveguide sections will be received.

"P" Site – Breakdown for the AN/CPS-6B during July, August and September totaled sixty (60) hours. July and August breakdown time totaled twenty (20) hours of minor troubles.

In September the section encountered our first major trouble with the antenna control system. This first trouble was irratic rotation of the antenna which caused an overload making it impossible to rotate. The trouble was found to be the 36 Speed transmitter selseyn with pitted slip-ring contacts. The contacts were burnished enough to permit operation. When the trouble was discovered to be the 36 Speed selseyn it was immediately requisitioned from Tech Supply.

The second trouble was the instability to rotate the antenna after much difficulty trouble shooting, the trouble was found to be a relay in the antenna control assembly. The maintenance men were hindered by the poor schematic layout of this system.

During September the section encountered the first major trouble with the high voltage interlock circuit. The symptoms of the trouble were the set would not stay in radiate. This trouble was also difficult to locate because the schematics had a great many errors. The trouble was finally discovered to be a relay in the Power Distribution assembly.

During September a tool cabinet was completed for the many tools that are supplied with the AN/CPS-6B. These tools are a great asset to the section.

Recently the Radar Maintenance Section had a consultant, Mr. RM Gorton, in to check the MTI. Mr. Gorton informed the section that the MTI was good except for a few minor adjustments. Many valuable hints on MTI were given to this section by Mr. Gorton.

The training equipment, AN/UPS-T4 is partially operational. The maintenance section is awaiting the adapter kit so that the training device can be connected to the AN/CPS-6B. The interconnecting cable between the 15-J-4-P and 15-J-4-A is on requisition because the cable received was not wired properly.

The spare component racks arrived the month of September enabling the section to arrange the spare components properly.

During the months of July, August and September, the Mess Section has progressed very well. Our chief problem here during the past few months have been cockroaches. The Mess Hall was finally closed for a period of two days and personnel from the Base Veterinary office sprayed the Mess Hall. However, this was not the solution, for in a few weeks time the roaches were back to full strength. It was finally decided that the Mess Hall would again be closed, this time for a period of three days. Sulphur candles would be burned in an attempt to eliminate the roaches. Sulphur candles were purchased and set approximately every ten feet. These candles were allowed to burn out which took about four hours. The fumes lasted the rest of the day. Candles were again set the following day and the process repeated. On the evening of the third day, the Mess Hall was aired out thoroughly and was put back into operation the following morning. The Mess Hall is sprayed three times weekly as a precautionary measure. According to the Veterinary, the source of these roaches was the Base Commissary and bread which was locally purchased.

Due to the large amount of dry storage that we maintain, it was imperative that a perpetual inventory be kept. The personnel of the Mess Section set up this inventory and arranged each item in alphabetical order. This has helped considerably in our operation.

As a measure to prevent the reoccurrence of roaches from locally purchased bread, the Mess Section has recently started baking bread. This procedure consists of loaf bread for dinner, rolls, biscuits or French bread for dinner and supper.

During the month of July an office was constructed in the Mess Hall. This office has greatly enhanced the section in that records, manuals and regulations can be kept in an orderly manner.

July, the beginning of the new fiscal year, brought many changes in the Supply field. The most extensive cost-conscious program ever launched within the Air Force Supply system was beginning to take effect down through the lower echelons. With the compliance of AFR 67-10, "Responsibility for Public Property in Possession of the Air Force", the watchword for all supply activities became "Max Value". Changes published in Amendment 3, Volume IV, AFM 67-83, affected us the most.

All property on hand was reviewed for status, condition, excesses or shortages. The turning in of excess became the major project for the supply personnel during this period. C&E spare parts for the 3^rd sail were received late in July and provisions were made to store them. The turn-over of spares issued for the AN/CPS-6B has leveled off to a point where the stock levels may be partially figured from the consumption. The status of property on back order from Base Supply was requested, less than 3% of these back orders were priority requisitions. Approximately 60% of all these back orders were cleared up.

During the month of August, the new AF Form 1120 (Unit Property Control Cards) were received and the Plant Account property and the UPREAL property was transcribed to these cards. All UPREAL and Plant Account property became UME and USE on the new UAL. Because approximately 50% of all requisitions and turn-in were being rejected by Base Supply for improper preparation caused BASO to set up a class of instruction on the preparation of these documents. This class was attended by personnel of this section.

The first replenishment of stock requisitions for the Canadian spare parts and the first RNPF requisition on the CPS-6B was submitted to AF-464-SO during this period. More excess property was turned in to the Base Supply. The receipt of C&E spares on Pinetree project has fallen off to almost nothing, with only three boxes being received. The issues remained about the same with 156 line items being issued.

During the past three months the Transportation Section has been able to furnish all sections with vehicles needed, however, there has been times when a shortage of vehicles existed. The situation could be eased if scheduled maintenance could be performed on vehicles sent for unscheduled maintenance if the period of time between the scheduled maintenance and unscheduled maintenance is within two weeks.

There has been a complaint brought forth by the personnel of this section pertaining to the shortage of time in which to check-in the vehicle used during the day. The problem will be solved by cutting out the scheduled trip from 1530 to 1600.

Some portions of the interior of building 3724, which houses the Transportation Section, have been repainted to improve appearance. Also, much of the equipment assigned to this department has been repainted. The Air Installation Section has been moved into the building and granted the use of one (1) 4x4 ¾ ton W/C. The building has sufficient space to house both the Transportation and Air Installation Sections, therefore, this creates no hardship. An outdoor washrack located at the entrance to the Building has been installed by the

Transportation Section personnel. This facility aids in keeping the interior of the building clean.

Improvements have been made in the bus schedule. With the exception of a noon break and the newly initiated afternoon break, trips are made to and from Pepperrell Air Force Base every hour.

For the report period (1 July 1954 to 30 September 1954) there were three (3) admissions to quarters, transferred to the support base hospital at Pepperrell AFB. The breakdown is as follows: Appendicitis – 1; Schizoprenic reaction – 1; Hernia, inguinal – 1. There were forty-three (43) treatments for common cold, fifty-eight (58) surgical dressings, and fourteen (14) treatments for sore throats, for a total of 200 treatments for the report period.

There were no other significant items of Historical Interest for this period.

Progress made in the educational opportunities offered to the personnel of the 642^nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron are numerous. Since submitting the last Educational historical report more emphasis has been placed on all aspects involving these opportunities.

Within the squadron, several group study classes have begun or are in the progress of beginning. The courses being offered to the personnel are courses that will aid the airmen in their present jobs and also benefit them in the future. A course in the practical use of the slide rule and a beginner course in mathematics are in the process of being started. All the necessary books and instruments needed for these courses are on hand at the present time. Also at the present time a survey is being taken to see whether or not there are enough men in the squadron interested in courses within the science field. After the completion of this survey, we hope to begin several courses in the field (i.e. physics and beginners chemistry). All of the above mentioned courses can be conducted within the squadron area. Two new men have been added to the personnel of the squadron who are eligible to conduct these classes, making a total of three qualified instructors within this unit. The business English class entered on the last report is continuing with excellent results. After the completion of this class, another class will be started in the English field.

The University of Maryland courses being offered on Pepperrell AFB have been met with enthusiasm by the members of this organization. Enrolled in the present term being conducted on the base are four enlisted men and three officers.

USAFI still remains a means for military personnel in this unit to take courses to their liking. At the present time there are four men actively enrolled with USAFI and two more starting in the very near future.

The high school and college level GED tests have been used to a good advantage. We have had four men complete their high school GED test. At the present time plans are to get all personnel without a high school diploma to get a high school diploma or its equivalency.

Eleven men have been enrolled in the USAF Extension Courses being offered. At the present time two more have applications being processed, bringing the total to 13 men.

In the squadron area a room has been set aside as a study hall and class room for the use of the personnel. Also in this room will be found literature concerning all educational advantages that servicemen have access to.

Another feature of the educational program within the squadron is the evaluation of every man assigned to this unit. This data is being kept according to rank. After all the educational needs have been completed and entered on a large graph according to rank, an interview will be had with those men who are deficient. In this way we have hopes of being able to get more men to take the high school GED test. Thus being able to get their high school diploma.

At present, the Air Police section operates and controls three twenty-four hour posts. These posts consist of the Main Gate, Operations "P" Site, and Operations "L" Site. The Air Police shifts consist of four men and work in conjunction with the Operations teams on a twenty-four hour basis.

The Air Police section is at present, as in the past under strength. The only workable solution to this problem is to assign men from other sections to Air Police duties. However, assigning men to Air Police work who are unaccustomed to this type of work has resulted in decreased efficiency within the Air Police section.

At the present time, there are two officers and fifteen airmen who do not have a Final Secret Clearance, however the necessary forms have been prepared and will soon be admitted to proper authorities.

Restricted area passes for all personnel are not yet completed due to the fact that these passes have to be forwarded to the Circulation and Control office for lamination and this procedure is very slow.

During the last two months, this unit has had two Base Defense Alerts. All personnel of this unit took part in these alerts. Several personnel of this unit were assigned to attempt to enter the Squadron Area while it was being defended. All personnel were apprehended before gaining admittance to the area. At present, the Base Defense Plan is being reviewed to operate on a twenty-four hour basis.

During the past three months the following improvements have been made in the Special Services Section of the 642^nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.