Red Cliff, NF

The mission of this squadron underwent one significant change during this period: the change from ADDC to GCI status. This change is amplified in the operations section of this report. Otherwise, the Squadron mission remained the same, Air Surveillance, Navigational Aid, and aid to Air Sea Rescue.

Mission – The major revision in the operations mission occurred on 26 May when the function of the site changed from that of an Air Defense Direction Center to that of a Ground Control Intercept Station. As a result of this change in status, the site became operationally responsible to the ADDC at the 640^th AC&W Squadron, Ernest Harmon AFB, instead of the former direct responsibility to the ADCC at Pepperrell AFB. The typically Direction Center function of aircraft identification was transferred to the 640^th AC&W Squadron. At the same time, the GCI station at Gander, Newfoundland, formerly subordinate to this station, also became operationally responsible to the 640^th.

Interceptor Action – Although the transition to F-89D fighter interceptors at Ernest Harmon AFB was completed during the early part of this reporting period, interceptor aircraft are still held in readiness for scramble only on tracks classified as "suspicion of hostile". However, due to the need for both air crew and director training, some practice "live" intercepts were made using two or more F-89D aircraft.

Personnel – During the reporting period, there was a large turnover of operations personnel. Twenty-five AC&W operators rotated to the ZI. Replacement personnel numbered 16, most of whom only had a few months experience in the AC&W field. However, this experience plus an indoctrination program as thorough and extensive as time and circumstances permitted served to reduce personnel change-over problems to a minimum.

Training – Despite the fact that the primary radar equipment was off the air during the latter part of the period due to radome painting and difficulties with simulator equipment, director training was maintained at a high level.

Wire Maintenance – Due to the change in squadron mission, several new long line circuits have been terminated at operational positions in the operations room. Pole Vault circuits and an on-carrier system are used by this site. These services are provided by the 6631^st Radio Relay Squadron and Pepperrell Long Lines (Station A). A new teletype line was also established to Harmon ADDC. This circuit is used for both tactical and administrative messages.

Two tape recorders have been connected to monitor all radio channels and long lines that terminate on the main dias in the operations room. These recorders will be used mainly for radio/telephone training purposes.

Six speakers have been mounted in the operations room. These speakers are connected in parallel with the speakers in the radio monitor room and will decrease the time lost between the initial call of an aircraft and the return call by the director.

Several new speakers have been mounted in the squadron area for a fire alarm system.

Three antenna masts have been erected in the squadron area. One tower will support two air/ground radio antennas and obstruction lights, while the other two towers will be used in conjunction with the MARS station.

The MARS equipment has been completely installed and is operational. The Quonset hut has been repaired to provide a suitable location for the station.

SCR 574 radio set was tagged and turned over to Unit Supply for turn-in to Base Supply.

Message Center Operations – Three spare teletype machines were transferred to the 64^th Air Division (Defense).

Weather relay circuit to Gander GCI was discontinued when this site became GCI.

Two facsimile machines have been prepared for turn-in to Unit Supply.

New cords have been installed on the switchboard, which permit connections to be made on both sides of the switchboard.

Radio Operations – A new hot line has replaced the old intercommunications system to the operations room from the radio monitor room.

High Frequency Net 54 operation has been discontinued due to excessive interference reports. This net will be used only when directed to do so by the Net Control Station at Harmon ADDC.

The radio monitor room has been completely rearranged to facilitate ease of operation.

Radar Maintenance:

Personnel – At the end of the reporting period, there were seven men assigned to the Radar Maintenance Section. Two of these are due for rotation in early July and three more are scheduled to leave the first part of August.

During April and May, four Airmen First Class were assigned DAFSC 30372. However, two of these men rotated to the ZI in late June.

Maintenance P-Site – The section of flexible waveguide required for the Early Warning equipment has not been received although it has been on requisition for more than five months. At the present time, a spare waveguide section from the normal transmitters is being utilized, but this does not permit performance checks to be take.

The slip-ring brushes of the EW 400 cycle generator were found to be extremely short. The brushes have been on requisition since 14 May 1955, but have not been received.

Because of the shortage of replacement brushes for the generator, and the flexible waveguide, it was decided to shut off the EW equipment until these parts are received.

The consumption rate of the magnetrons, QK-254, of the EW kit has been very high. During the reporting period, seven magnetrons have been consumed and it is suspected that some of these were faulty upon installation.

The fabrication and installation of the EW IFF antenna cable, installation of the power cable, and connection of the trigger and video cables were completed by maintenance personnel and it is now functioning satisfactorily.

Satisfactory operation of the AN/CPS-6B has been limited very much by the lack of major spare parts. Due to failures of modulator thyratron tubes, type 5C22, and a lack of replacements, it had been necessary to operate on one occasion with only modulator B using the serviceable tubes, while modulator A was inoperative. The more important transmitters, VL, VC, and SL receive their pulse voltage from modulator B, while modulator A supplies VU and SU. However, this condition was only temporary, and the following day four new thyratrons were received and normal operation was resumed. During June, only two tubes were firing in modulator A and two tubes in modulator B appeared, from the difference in degree in ionization, to be taking most of the load. Because of the transmitter pulse jitter due to the lack of replacement tubes, normal operation was impossible. These tubes were received on 28 June and operation was resumed.

Operation of the antenna system was unsatisfactory due to amplidyne failure. Arcing was noticed around the brushes. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the commutator was burned and measures were taken to prolong the operating life of the amplidyne until a replacement could be received.

During May, grinding noises were heard coming from the vicinity of the antenna drive gear box assembly. It was believed to be a mechanical fault, but trouble-shooting determined that this was false. The feedback and coho phase shifter tachometers were found to be full of oil, which had been leaking from the antenna gear box assembly. They were cleaned and normal operation was resumed.

Two other antenna difficulties were corrected while the radome painting crew worked on the radomes the latter part of June. One was a slight oil leak that was noticed in the vicinity of the antenna drive assembly, which was traced to defective oil gaskets. After several attempts were made to remedy the situation, without success, it was decided to wait until the set was turned off during painting. Then in mid-June, while attempting to return to the air after a PM, antenna hunting and antenna lagging developed. Again remedies were attempted, without success. When the radome painting started, the Canadian Marconi, Ltd., removed the clutch assembly and found it to be defective, and that new oil seals and bearings were also needed. The necessary overhaul is now being completed.

The Marconi depot has also started overhaul of all stalos, (RF oscillators 0-94/CPS-6B)

Due to the lack of modulator thyratrons, it was decided to remain in 300 RFP operation to prolong the life of the modulator as much as possible. MTI shut-down was further warranted by a shortage of 6AS6 tubes for MTI receivers. Before the shortage of replacement tubes became so critical, MRI operation appeared fairly satisfactory.

The Canadian Marconi radome painting was making rapid progress on radome repairs and painting at the end of the reporting period, despite periods of inclement weather, which hindered work at the start.

The Canadian General Electric installation team is now completing the installation of the AN/FPS-502. This equipment is expected to be operational approximately 10 July.

The 400 cycle generator for the AN/TPS-502 was returned to the site by Canadian Marconi depot in April, and appears to be satisfactory.

The pressurizing system of the TPS-501 and the FPS-502 is designed to have power supplied to them from two sources, with transfer of the load to one source if the other source fails. It has been found, however, that the two power lines to the equipment both come from the same distribution panel in the tech bus transformer building next to the operations building. Therefore, it was found that, in the event of a power failure, manual switching would have been necessary in the transformer building in order to prevent the two radomes from collapsing. It was considered doubtful whether this could be done before damage would be done. Therefore, lines have been installed from the base bus in the transformer building to tower 2 (TPS-502) and tower 3 (FPS-502). These lines are connected to automatic switching devices on the pressurizing systems, supplying divisible power from two individual sources of power.

Complete cleaning and lubrication was completed on the 15-J-4-P (standard target course generator) during June. At the present time, the AN/UPS-T4 is not complete for the lack of interconnecting cable between the 15-J-1C and the programmer. This cable assembly has been on requisition since September.

Maintenance L-Site - The AN/CPS-5 was turned in to Base Supply during April.

Difficulty in the flow of 16PT spare parts from Rome Air Force Depot to the support BASO has resulted in a serious drop in the stock levels of 16PT spares. This condition has directly caused the increase in ROCP and RNFP requests that have been submitted. During the reporting period, there were 763 line items requested and 447 line items issued. There were 354 line items of AF stock received and 206 items issued from AF stock.

The new bins in warehouse 2 have been completed and all expendable and organizational supplies have been re-warehoused. All items issued on AF Form 538 are now stored in Warehouse 2.

All excess property has been turned in, except power units, two added radio vans, and some spare parts for equipment that has already been turned in.

Thirty-four boxes of spare parts for the AN/FPS-502 have been received, and warehousing of the equipment is now in process.

A complete inventory of all on-hand UAL property was conducted during a change in supply officers in late June, and all property was accounted for. The UAL change requests are still pending. The conversion of AF Stock numbers to Federal stock numbers is being accomplished as required.

On 1 April, the squadron transportation section lost its Unit Manning Document authorization for motor vehicle drivers. Therefore, although two personnel from the section have rotated, all desired transportation has been furnished upon request.

Due to the new authorization, a request for bus service to and from Pepperrell AFB was submitted and approved. Civilian drivers from the base motor pool are driving the buses.

Special Services – The Special Services section has recently acquired two ping-pong tables and one pool table, making possible the equipping of two recreation rooms for use by off duty personnel In addition, the squadron theater is in the process of being moved to another building, where new theater type seats and a fire-proof projection booth have been installed. Since 1 June, the theater has been allotted five films each weeks instead of four.

The squadron airmen’s and officer’s bowling teams finished their seasons with very respectable records. The officers team won the championship in its league and the airmen’s team finished third in its league. Each member of both teams received a trophy for his outstanding bowling.

The squadron volleyball team participated in the 64^th Air Division (Defense) volleyball tournament held at Pepperrell AFB in early June. Although the team did not win, it made a very commendable showing.

The softball season started during the month of May, with 25 players trying out for positions on the team. The weather in early June kept the team out of action much of the time. However, the team won three of its first four games. Two players have been injured and will be out for an indefinite period, but the team has been strengthened by the addition of several men recently assigned to the squadron.

Education – Progress is still being made in the educational opportunities offered to personnel of the squadron. Continued emphasis is being placed on all aspects of these opportunities, especially on the availability of the GED test for all personnel who have not completed high school.

Eight men are now signed up for a group study class in College Algebra. It is planned to start this class in early July.

During the reporting period, there were three admissions to quarters transferred to the support base hospital at Pepperrell AFB for hospitalization. The breakdown is as follows: fracture, simple, right palus, one; dislocation, left shoulder, one; and pneumonia, one. There were 109 treatments on the basis of general medicine, seven cases of dermatology, 23 patients for surgical dressing, and 24 for treatment of ear, nose and throat, for a total of 163 treatments. On 28 June, immunization shots were brought up to date on all squadron personnel.

During April, a new "Designated Parking Area" plan was put into effect to relieve the congested parking areas at the Orderly Room, Mess Hall, Operations, and Post Exchange. The new plan is also expected to eliminate possible blocking of roads which could delay emergency vehicles.

Nine Browning Automatic Rifles have been assigned to the Air Police Section, which has custody of all squadron weapons. All weapons were inspected by the Torbay Armament Team and found to be in good condition.

All personnel have been reassigned weapons, to be drawn during base defense exercises. The plan for drawing of the weapons is now under study.

The Provost Marshal, Provost Sergeant, and one other Air Policeman have been attending Monthly Unit Security Officers meetings regularly. In addition, the Assistant Provost Sergeant attended a Weapons Indoctrination Course held by the 6604^th Air Police Squadron, Pepperrell AFB.

All squadron personnel were given the Safeguarding Military Information test during June. Test scores are recorded by the Provost Sergeant and tests were filed in the Orderly Room.

On 22 June, Airman First Class Paul (NMI) Wilson, Jr., was lost in the ocean while fishing. A squadron watch, directed by the Air Police Section, was maintained for one week, but there was no sign of Airman Wilson.

During this period, special stress was placed on proper preparation and serving of meals, so that personnel would have full advantage of the menu, while the cost of meals could remain within the command ration factor. All mess personnel were impressed with the need for preparing proper amounts of food without excessive waste and leftovers.

More supervision has been put into force on the drawing of rations, and only those fresh fruits and vegetables actually needed are being accepted from the Commissary. Tighter controls have been put on the warehouse in which the food supply is stored, and only those personnel authorized are allowed to enter and break down rations. Tighter controls have also been put on the rations already issued to the Dining Hall. All rations issued are being entered on AF Form 466 as issued and are being checked and signed for by the head cook on duty.

The Rotation Dinner program has been standardized, with a definite day and time set for each month, to provide sufficient time for notification.

There were 139 airmen and 16 officers assigned at the beginning of this reporting, with 139 airmen and 20 officers assigned at the end of the period. The new UMD authorizes 155 airmen and 16 officers.

The squadron continues to be seriously short in the 27, 29 and 30 fields. The shortage in the 70 field was eased with the assignment of two 70250 airmen.

In April, the annual inspection was conducted by the Inspector General, 64^th Air Division (Defense).

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