Red Cliff, NF

642^nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
APO 862, New York, New York

Lorin E Robinson, Major, USAF

CPS-6B (1); FPS-502 (1); TPS-502 (1); RT-264/4PX6 (3); AN/GRC-27 (6).

The 642^nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Commanded by Major Lorin E Robinson, is attached to the 64^th Air Division (Defense). It is a GCI station responsible to the 640^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (ADDC).

The squadron is broken down into various sections, the primary sections being Operations, Radar Maintenance, Communications, Supply and Unit Administrative. Other sections assigned are Air Police, Food Service, Special Services and Motor Pool. These sections combined constitute the 642^nd AC&W Squadron, and work harmoniously in achieving the overall effectiveness of the squadron and its position in the Pinetree radar network (Defense).

Operations:

The Operations Section headed by Major George H Wolfe, is responsible for the twenty-four (24) hour surveillance of the assigned sub-sector, along with the passing of all information pertinent and otherwise to the parent ADCC.

Due to the lack of fighter interceptor aircraft, all Directors are experiencing considerable difficulty in maintaining the required degree of proficiency, however this problem is slowly being alleviated due to the sending of director personnel TDY to the 640^th AC&W Squadron for interceptor training. This does not guarantee the directors maintaining the overall proficiency expected but does however afford a compatible working knowledge and a slight degree of retention on the part of the directors of the new material and procedures received.

Directly responsible to the Operations Officer is Captain Joe E Blosser, head of the Radar Maintenance section. This section is responsible for the overall maintenance of all radar equipment in the squadron.

The Communications section is headed by 1^st Lt. William J Fence, who is responsible for the operations of the Message Center, Transmitter and Receiver Sites, MARS Station and inside and outside wire maintenance. The responsibility for maintenance of all communications equipment in the organization lies within this section.

The Supply Section is further broken down into two sections with Technical Supply being responsible for the requisitioning and maintaining of an ample supply of spare parts for the radar and communications equipment, and Unit Supply performing the remaining necessary supply functions of the squadron.

The administrative department is responsible for all correspondence, entering or leaving the organization and for all administrative correspondence within the organization.

Personnel:

The management of the Squadron personnel and the operation of squadron details has been greatly enhanced by the gain of Master Sergeant Ernest Wilson. Prior to assuming duties of First Sergeant at this station, Sergeant Wilson was assigned as First Sergeant of Headquarters Squadron Section 3605^th Maintenance and Supply Group, Ellington Air Force Base, Texas.

At this time most AFSC’s are surplus, however this situation will be alleviated within the next five (5) months.

The loss of the Chief Clerk, for retraining into the Radar Maintenance field, has slightly affected the administrative section.

With the arrival of personnel prior to the departure of forecasted personnel the job of replacing men into the various teams has been made much easier, however in the enlisted ranks the time between signing out of Keesler Air Force Base and the not signing in at McGuire Air Force Base until a specified date has led to the problem of unnecessary loss of leave, as much as thirty (30) days in some instances. Along these lines the enlisted personnel mostly arrived with a skill level of "3" and does not bring the operation teams up to a qualified basis. No procedure has been found to alleviate this problem.

Security Clearances is no longer a problem due to the normal time of processing into the station.

Equipment Performance:

Performance has been average for the type of modified equipment available to this station.

Facilities:

Improvement projects initiated recently are the exterior painting of all buildings and the rehabilitation of buildings 3718 and 3710. These projects are approximately 10% completed. Numerous work order requests have been completed this summer, however there is a long delay on completing work orders due to the length of time it takes to get supplies.

The Squadron is authorized an Installations Officer but has not received anyone as yet. With the increased maintenance responsibility and workload this position will have to be filled to have an efficient and well managed installations section.

Maintenance and Supply Problems:

Radar – The Canadian Marconi Company overhaul team performed their required yearly overhaul.

An AN/GPA-30 was received and has been installed. An AN/QRC-44 Blip Scan Recorder was received and an operational check was successfully performed.

Communications:

A series of modifications were run on the AS505. These antennas shorting out has continually presented problems. No workable solution has been found as yet, although the last modification consisted of completely disassembling the antenna and spraying all elements with a protective water proof coating. This has been satisfactory for no more than thirty (30) days.

Community Relations:

During this season two softball games were scheduled and played with the orderlies of the St. John’s Mental Hospital.

Results of Inspections:

The annual 64^th Inspection took place from 28 April through 2 May 1958. Much improvement is indicated over the last two (2) years indicating steady progress in the utilization of proper techniques.

Morale:

On 1 April 1958, a well stocked and equipped leather hobby shop was opened. This shop has been accepted very favorably by all personnel in this unit and has been utilized for making purses, wallets, belts and other leather articles.

In the same respect a small woodworking hobby shop has been opened. At present only hand tools are available but into the near future, power tools will be acquired and made available.

The Squadron Library has taken on added attraction by the tiling of the floor, florescent lighting and an increased amount of bound books.

The recreational program is still of the highest calibre with a maximum participation in all endeavours.

The Theater is receiving more and more first run movies and a change in the showing times has greatly improved the attendance. New seats are in the process of being installed which will add to the comfort and relaxation of the personnel.

The lounge for shift workers, located in the operations building, is utilized to the fullest. Cokes, constant hot coffee and occasional donuts are contributed from the food service section.

Lorin E Robinson, Major, USAF