Red Cliff, NF

The mission of the Squadron during this period remained basically the same as the previous period, i.e. GCI, Air Surveillance, Navigational Aid, and aid to Air Sea Rescue.

Personnel – There were no significant changes number wise in section personnel, however, there was a slight loss experience-wise due to rotation of skilled personnel. The low skill level of replacement personnel has been increased during the later part of the period due to extensive training and additional experience.

Operations – The operational high point of the period was participation in "Operation Crackerjack". For many, it was the first experience of its kind. Though the units part was a very minor one, many valuable lessons were learned and all who participated gained valuable experience. Numerous shortcomings, on which future training was to be based, were pointed out.

Two administrative type projects were completed during the quarter. The Controller Information File was completely reorganized with an improved index system and an improved marking of all binders makes the file much easier to use.

All Operations SOP’s were carefully screened and brought up to date with some added and some inapplicable SOP’s discarded.

Training – "Operation Capable" is the designation of a locally instituted phase of training promises of having much value. Each night on the 1700 to 2400 and the 0001 to 0800 shifts, operational situations permitting, an extensive simulated mission is run. At the beginning, few tracks were used. As the program progressed, the number of tracks was increased commensurate with the increased ability of the operators. Limiting factors of the program have been a lack of realism and the occasional inability of adjacent stations to participate.

Air Surveillance – With the coming of winter and bad weather, traffic through the area has decreased considerably. Quality control records were continued as a check of radar performance and scope operator proficiency.

Radio Operations – Continuous monitoring of all assigned frequencies has been continued on a 24 hour basis. Changes in placement of facilities has improved monitoring capabilities.

Communications Maintenance – Back-up air/ground radio equipment, IHF and VHF, has been installed in the radio monitor room and is completely operational on all channels. The equipment is remotely controlled from the Controller’s Scope. The radio monitor room was completely rewired with shielded pairs greatly reducing interference and cross-talk in the building. The operator’s desk was moved and all wiring and equipment was changed to accommodate the facilities on the desk. A 90 foot pole has been erected next to the large radome for installation of back-up antennas and other equipment.

An Alert and Fire Telephone Conference Circuit was installed with instruments painted red in the Commander’s Office, Fire Chief’s Office, heating plant, motor pool, operations air conditioning room, gun room, CQ’s room, and Detachment 10, 6982^nd RSM. Also, in conjunction with the Fire and Alert System, a relay was installed in the control circuit of the Site siren so it can be sounded from the Commander’s Office, switchboard, radio monitor room and operations room.

AFTO Forms 42A and C&E maintenance component Record Cards were received and an Inspection and Maintenance Recording System in accordance with TO 31-1-10, was started.

An inter-communications system was installed with the master station located in the operations room providing instantaneous communications with the remote transmitter and receiver sites, radio maintenance, radar maintenance, operations office and stations in the radomes.

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

Amateur Radio Operations – The Amateur radio station has been modified to accommodate phone patches if requested.

Personnel – The radar maintenance section is two men over authorized strength. Of the nineteen men assigned, two are seven skill level, one a five level, and the remainder are three level. Since reporting to the unit, the three level personnel have gained considerable experience with and knowledge of the equipment and are becoming more efficient and valuable. While the number of personnel in the section is excessive, the skill level is below that authorized.

Training – Through the months of October and November, an extensive OJT program was established and conducted by the Philco Contract Technician. The OJT program was slowed considerably as a result of phasing out and loss of the Philco Contract Technician and the annual overhaul of the radar equipment. Until the actual assignment of a programmed second Canadian Marconi Site Engineer, training will be slow.

Maintenance - During the months of October and November, few maintenance problems were encountered. Maximum effort was placed on the EW transmitter and receiver during PM periods and just prior to the overhaul, the EW kit was functioning satisfactorily. The installation of the new QK-254 magnetron should greatly improve EW operation.

Beginning in December, the Canadian Marconi Company has been performing the annual overhaul of all radar and associated equipment. Approximately 85% of the work has been completed and the AN/CPS-6B is back in operation. Work still remains to be done on the AN/FPS-502 and all IFF equipment. With the exception of a few minor difficulties, the overhaul has progressed satisfactorily and resulted in greatly improved operation of the equipment. While work was done on the 6B, the FPS-502 and TPS-502 were used to keep the station in the radar net.

This site is now operating the CPS-6B on 600 PRF to permit MTI operation. The actual need for MTI operation at this station is doubtful as the ground clutter extends at its maximum for only 30 miles, therefore, a test is in progress to compare the results obtained from MTI and the results of blanking VL for 30 miles and using STC on VC and VU and observing the video on VM channel. The blanking and STC virtually remove all ground clutter and sea return with little or no loss to target pick-up. MTI operation increases unscheduled maintenance time as our power source is unstable and consequently the stalos run away more frequently than normally expected.

The radar maintenance room was given a new look. The large component rack was used as a room divider to make an effective division between work and office areas. A cabinet from tower one was placed in the room for storage of hand tools, test cables and tube stocks.

M/Sgt. Hester designed and built an IFF test platform which greatly improved and simplified maintenance on the IR units and safety in handling the units. The platform was constructed mostly from salvage lumber with $25.00 worth of lumber and hardware from AIO. An article has been submitted to the ADC and C&E Digest.

Canadian Marconi painters are now painting the interior of all three radomes with sealer. The two small domes are completed and the large radome will be painted as soon as the overhaul of the FPS-502 is completed.

The roofs of towers 2 and 3 have been repaired and wooden catwalks built to prevent damage to the new roofing and radomes by people walking. It was necessary for the contractor to repaint several places of the tower walls where roofing paint had been spilled during the repair operation.

A 90 foot pole has been set east of tower 1 to carry obstruction lights, three anemometers and the back-up radio antennas. The new location of the anemometers should give more accurate wind reading and better operation of the pressurizing units.

M/Sgt. Shoen, Area Activities Team from Management Procedures Office, Headquarters, NEAC, has inventoried publications files with a recommendation all outstanding requisitions for TO’s be cancelled. A master list of all TO’s needed by the section has been compiled and will all be ordered at one time to assure automatic distribution of all changes and revisions as they become available from AMC.

Jeeps assigned to the unit are adequate in number, however, the one 1 ½ ton truck assigned is not adequate. Two 1 ½ ton trucks are needed to handle all transportation needs.

An automotive hobby shop has been established in the motor pool operating from 0800 to 1700 hours except on weekends. Lack of proper tools has held up the establishment of a woodworking hobby shop.

By moving the site branch of the Base Exchange into a smaller room, a large room has been made available for use as a Television Room. The room has been painted and a 21" table model TV set has been installed. Lounge type furniture ordered with funds made available by Headquarters, NEAC, is expected to make this room into one of the choice recreational spots on the site.

Some new books have been acquired from the Pepperrell library enhancing the selection of reading material in the site library. The photo lab continues to be the favorite area for many personnel.

Florescent lights have been installed over the pool tables and ping pong tables decreasing the eye strain for players.

The squadron is now receiving six 16mm movie films per week. The Squadron theater continues to be the number one form of entertainment for the entire unit.

The Squadron basketball team, rated as the number one team in the Pepperrell Intramural League, was organized in October coached by Lt. Don E Heft. They won the pre-season tournament by five straight games and now are in first place with five wins and one loss.

Shirts have been purchased through the Unit Fund for both Officer’s and Airmen’s bowling teams.

Emphasis continues on off-duty education. Twenty-three percent of the Squadron personnel participated during this quarter and a number have taken the high school GED test.

Security of the gun room was increased by lining the inner walls with plywood and blocking one door. Previously, two adjacent rooms were used to store weapons. The partition separating the rooms was removed to make one large room. Increased efficiency in handling the weapons has resulted from this modification.

Monthly security lectures conducted by Lt. Eagle, are being given to squadron personnel. Prior to each lecture, the topic is discussed at a Security officer’s meeting at Pepperrell Air Force Base.

Personnel wise, the section is below the authorized unit manning document strength. A request for increased Air Police authorization has been disapproved. To alleviate the personnel shortage, a telephone has been installed outside the main entrance to the operations building. The guard post inside the entrance is manned only during normal duty hours. At other times, the section to be visited is called on the telephone and a representative of that section passes the individual on a recognition basis. This procedure releases two duty positions required otherwise.

During the quarter, the personnel situation remained stable. Captain CC LaRue assumed the duties as Food Service Officer after the transfer of Captain Kostka.

The method of drawing rations changed on 1 December 1955. Rations are now being issued and delivered as for other Pepperrell Air Force Base Dining Halls. The change has resulted in better control of overages and a complete elimination of transportation requirement for the Dining Hall.

Receipt of a mixing machine has improved the ease of preparation and the quality of all pastry products. It is now possible to serve whipped cream with certain deserts.

Canopies, pipes, and the walk-in refrigerator have been painted with aluminum paint resulting in a brighter and cleaner appearance in the dining hall.

Rotation dinners were continued each month for personnel leaving the squadron.

During the reporting period, there were two admissions to quarters transferred to the Pepperrell Air Force Base Hospital for hospitalization. The breakdown is as follows: one comminuted fracture involving the right radical end and one fracture of the fifth metacarpel. Also during the period there were 144 treatments on the basis of: General Medicine - 84, cases of dermatology - 11, surgical dressing - 38, ear, nose, and throat - 12.

There were 134 airmen and 15 officers assigned to the squadron at the beginning of the quarter. At the end of the period 134 airmen and 12 officers were assigned compared to a UMD authorization of 155 airmen and 16 officers. In comparison with the UMD authorization, the unit is 80 percent manned in grade E-7, 34 percent in grade E-6, 50 percent in grade E-5, and 51 percent in grade E-4. The opposite is true in the other grades where manning is 120 percent in grade E-3 and 680 percent in grade E-2. The skill level of rotating personnel is considerably higher than the new assignees which greatly affects the combat effectiveness of the unit. The shortage of officer personnel exists in the Intercept Controller career field. This shortage also is felt squadron wide in that it is necessary to assign many duties to officer’s who are already overloaded with primary as well as additional duties.

The new UAL was processed and returned to the 6604^th Air Base Wing, Materiel Section for review and approval. With the receipt of the new 16PT Stock List, most of the stock record cards were re-accomplished.

All files and publications were reviewed and with the assistance of personnel from Headquarters NEAC, new publication files are being set up accurately.

The 1120 Stock Record Cards were reviewed and the necessary changes made. Cards reflecting UME property were converted to USE status.

Delivery lag time on normal requisitions for spare parts continues to be excessive. No solution is in sight at present.

The concentrated effort continues to clear past discrepancies in supply records.