Red Cliff, NF

The mission of this squadron during this period remained basically the same as during the previous months, i.e. ADCC, Air Surveillance, Navigational Aid, and aid to Air Sea Rescue. Inasmuch as no fighter aircraft have been made available for intercept purposes, emphasis was placed on Air Surveillance.

Air Surveillance – Air Traffic under surveillance by this section increased approximately 25% over the previous quarter, but still fell short of the usual peak activity during the summer months. A quality control system has been established for use in evaluation of radar performance and scope operator proficiency. During a weekly 24-hour period, the initial detection point of each track is compared with an established standard, which considers the type of aircraft and altitude. The result of the comparison is a percentage figure indicative of radar and radar operator performance, 100 percent being optimum.

Movements & Identification – The number of initially unknown tracks during the quarter increased by approximately 75% over the previous quarter, with a comparable increase in tracks remaining unknown. The increase was, at least in part, due to an extensive naval air operation which took place within the radar coverage of this station. Flight plan information, when available, was seldom exact enough for identification purposes.

Interceptor Action – Due primarily to a transition from F-89C to F-89D fighter interceptors at Harmon Air Force Base, completed intercepts for identification were almost nil. Interceptor aircraft were held in readiness only for scramble on tracks classified as "suspicion of hostile".

Personnel – During the reporting period, four officers and five airmen joined the Operations Section, while two officers and thirteen airmen left the unit on rotation to the Zone of Interior. These personnel changes necessitated a change in Operations Officer and Direction Center Chief, and the assignment of two new Control Technicians. Captain Charles C LaRue, formerly Direction Center Chief, is the new Operations Officer. His successor is 1^st Lt. William D Linkous.

Training – In February, the newly installed jamming equipment for the target simulator became operational, making extensive training in anti-jamming procedures possible. Despite the fact that the simulator was out of operation for part of the quarter, controller intercept proficiency has been maintained at a high level.

Wire Maintenance – On 7 February, the wire maintenance section reported all on-site telephone lines out of order. After several tests were made, a large hole, apparently caused by flying debris, was found in the cable directly above the spot where Byers Construction agency was using dynamite while installing power poles. Canadian Marconi Company, which is responsible for depot level maintenance on cable, sub-contracted to Avalon Telephone Company to repair the break. All lines were back in operation on 9 February.

On 15 March, all local on-site telephone lines were again out of operation. Byers Construction agency used dynamite again and flying debris cut the cable in another place. The same procedure was used to repair the cable, and all lines were back in operation 16 February. On 29 March, Avalon Telephone Company made a permanent splice on the two breaks.

An intercommunications system was installed from the Commander’s office, the master station, to the following slave stations: Operations Room, Operations Office, Radar Maintenance Room, Technical Supply, and Motor Pool.

All communications equipment was removed from the L-Site due to the phase out of the radar equipment.

During this reporting period, several troubles have been encountered on two facsimile machines TT-IF/TCX-1. Excessive current through the tubes seems to cause tube failure. Non-availability of certain tubes has caused excessive outage time.

Radio Maintenance – A MARS Station is being established at the site, with an SCR 399 radio set to be used as the prime radio equipment. The Communications Maintenance building is being used to house this station. At the present time, one qualified amateur operator is assigned to the unit, but classes for 22 prospective amateurs will begin on 4 April.

Coaxial cable for the back-up UHF radio equipment was replaced on 28 March. The old cable caused too much line loss to be effective. On 14 February, one VHF antenna was mounted on the cross arm of the antenna tower. SCR 573 radio set was tagged and turned over to Supply for turn-in on 21 March.

Message Center Operations – 64-E-4 reports are now being relayed to Gander GCI through this message center. This procedure utilizes the same land line circuits used for weather transmissions.

Two spare Model 19 teletypewriters were transferred to Communications Section, 64^th Air Division (Defense), early in March.

Crypto Operations – Personnel rotation has caused a training problem in the Crypto Center. For a period of one month there were no Crypto operators assigned. However, due to cross-training from the Message Center, this problem was greatly reduced. At the present time, a new crypto operator has been assigned and duty assignment in crypto center has been awarded to another airman.

Personnel – The Radar Maintenance Section presently consists of nine men, all working at the P-Site. Two crew supervisors returned to the Zone of Interior during the quarter, while no new men joined the section. In the interest of peak efficiency, crews were returned to 8-hour shifts, with two airmen on each shift. Radar maintenance personnel have been removed from the unit kitchen police roster.

Maintenance P-Site – The primary difficulties encountered during the quarter concerned the Early Warning equipment.

Main trouble shooting was done on the EW equipment until it was found out that a deposit of blue-green corrosion was in the bi-directional coupler and the flexible waveguide section directly above it. It was determined that this was causing the frequent arcing in the waveguide. Both units were placed on order. After the bi-directional coupler was received and the flexible section of the waveguide was cleaned with a dilute solution of sulphuric acid, an attempt was made to operate. After several hours of operation under satisfactory conditions, localized heating was noticed in the flexible section, causing the set to kick out of radiation. To remedy this, both the bi-directional coupler and the flexible section were replaced with a flexible section of waveguide from 6B spares as a temporary measure until the new flexible section was received. The EW is operating fairly well in this manner with slight arcing present. The EW IFF antenna was installed during the month of March. It is now awaiting antenna cable before going into operation.

The ropes used in de-icing operation were removed from the radomes during February by the radome repair crews. The primary radome is in great need of painting, as numerous signs of deterioration are present. However, until weather permits, spot patching has been used in repair of serious weaknesses.

The Tech Bus line was finally completed in March. There has been no major trouble since this installation with the power source.

Operation of the target simulator was good during this quarter, except for the programming unit, which is still awaiting cable on order. The main jamming and beacon coder equipment was put into operation during the period and has proved very satisfactory.

Maintenance L-Site – Maintenance was held to a minimum during the quarter, as parts for the radar transmitter were still not available. With the AN/TPS-502 operational as a back-up height finder, the MPS-4 was phased out, dismantled, and turned in during January. After a minor overhaul in February, the power units at the L-Site are operational.

During the quarter the primary supply objective was the return of excess property and the turn-in of equipment not authorized. Radar Set AN/MPS-4 and all spare components were turned in to AF-1520-BSO during January, and Radio Set SCR 573 and allied equipment were turned in during February. Radar Set AN/CPS-5 was dismantled and prepared for turn-in. Already turned in are approximately 25 percent of the spare parts and components for the set.

The construction for new storage bins in Unit Supply is still in progress, with completion estimated for 20 April. When this is accomplished, the storage problem with Unit Supply will be eliminated.

Within the reporting period, 538 line items were requisitioned, 412 line items were received, as well as 76 line items of Pinetree spares, initial issue. There were 396 line items issued, and 340 turned in.

An acute shortage of vehicles caused by extended maintenance problems during the quarter forced the Transportation Section to deny approximately 25% of requests for vehicles. In March, the number of vehicles authorized for use was reduced. The new authorization consists of three 1 ½ ton stakebed trucks, three ¼ ton jeeps, one ¾ ton ambulance, one ¾ ton weapons carrier, and one 29-passenger bus. No longer authorized are six 2 ½ ton trucks and one ¼ ton jeep.

The repairing of flat tires is no longer the responsibility of the unit motor pool. The Base Transportation Section furnishes the spares and does all repair work.

During the quarter, the section lost three of its personnel through rotation, while gaining one new man. The reduction in personnel has not seriously affected the work of the section.

Special Services – In line with the policy of offering men of the unit as much recreational activity as possible, the Special Services Officer has organized a volleyball team for competition in the base league. Volleyball competition started upon the completion of the annual Pepperrell and 64^th Air Division (Defense) basketball tournaments. The squadron placed high in each tournament, in addition to placing two men on the Pepperrell Air Force Base team, which competed against other teams in the Northeast Air Command. During the quarter, both the airman and officer bowling leagues continued at or near the top of their leagues.

In on-site services, six new pool cues for the pool room and a piano for the Airman’s Club were purchased. New magazine subscriptions were also purchased. In addition, two sets of table tennis equipment have been ordered.

Education – Continued progress in educational opportunities for squadron personnel were shown during the quarter. A group study class in the use of the slide rule was completed, and a class in algebra was scheduled to start in April. The new class, as the previous one, will be taught by a member of the squadron, with each class member enrolled in USAFI. In addition, thirteen men were presently enrolled in USAFI Extension Courses being offered through correspondence.

Several men have taken the High School and College level GED test. Two men have received high school diplomas as a result of these tests, and several others are awaiting action on requests for diplomas. Special emphasis is being placed on the earning of high school certificates through the tests.

During the reporting period, there were five admissions to quarters, transferred to the support base hospital at Pepperrell for hospitalization. The breakdown is as follows: one observation, medical suspected influenza, one possible infectious hepatitis, one bronchopneumonia, one common cold and one tonsillitis, chronic. There were 137 treatments on the basis of General Medicine, seven cases of dermatology, 71 patients for surgical dressing, and 73 for treatment of ear, nose and throat, for a total of 288 treatments.

Four days of this quarter, 1, 3, 7, and 10 February, were devoted to instruction in the new method of artificial respiration, the back pressure are lift method, for unit personnel. Also included in this reporting period were lectures on personal hygiene, first aid, and venereal disease.

During January, the air policeman on post #3, the L-Site, was removed and utilized as a roving patrol during the hours 1700 to 0800. The roving patrol makes periodic checks of all buildings in the squadron area, checking for unusual incidents and fire hazards. The patrol also checks the road leading to the L-Site. Between 0800 and 1700, the roving patrol is used as required in the quarters area.

In March, personnel departures brought the assignment of a new Provost Marshal and a new provost Sergeant.

In March, a rotation dinner was inaugurated to honor the men returning to the Zone of Interior during each month. The first dinner was held 22 March. The men due for rotation were seated at special tables and special service for the grilled tenderloin steak dinner was offered to them.

Due to rotation, two mess supervisors served during the quarter before the arrival of the present mess supervisor 21 March.

There were 155 airmen and 16 officers assigned to the unit at the beginning of this reporting period. At the end of the period there were 139 airmen and 18 officers assigned. The new UMD authorizes 155 airmen and 16 officers.

The unit continues to be seriously short in some career fields. In addition to those reported in the last quarter, the 27 and 30 fields, the 70 field is in critical condition. Shortage of clerical personnel is causing individuals in that field to work many hours of overtime.

During January, the annual inspection was conducted by the Inspector General of the Northeast Air Command. On 22 March, Lt. General Glenn O Barcus, NEAC Commander, and members of his staff visited the unit as part of the annual command tour.

Priority projects during the quarter were fire fighting techniques and fire prevention instructions, which required constant revision of SOP’s and PERAM’s.