Red Cliff, NF

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
642nd AC&W Squadron
Red Cliff, NF
1 July 1960 to 30 September 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
APO 862, New York, New York
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

William A Nansen, Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. 4732nd Air Defense Group
    64th Air Division (Defense)
    Air Defense Command.
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • Detachment #1, 642nd AC&W Squadron, Elliston Ridge, Bonavista, Newfoundland.
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • Authority: Paragraph 1, Section V, General Orders 25, Headquarters Northeast Air Command, dated 5 June 1953.
    Primary Mission: The mission of the 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, as stated in Goose Air Defense Sector Regulation 20-10, dated 30 June 1960 (attached), is to conduct Air Defense Operations within assigned area of responsibility as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3 and function as a Surveillance Station in the Air Defense system.
  • Personnel
    		•

     

     

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     

     

    Authorized

    10

    151

    41

    202

     

     

    Attached

    5

    0

    0

    5

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    AN/GPS-T2 (1); AN/UPS-T5 (1); AN/GPA-30 (1); 0A-947/FST-1 (1); 0A-99 PPI (10); AN/FPS-502 (1); BC-610 (1); URG-60 (6); SP-600 (10); 0A-98 HRI (4); AN/GRT-3 TRX (3); AN/GPX-6A (1); AN/GPX-501 (1); AN/GRR-7 (11); AN/FRT-502 (5); AN/FRT-503 (1); AN/GRC-27 (6); CR-91-A (1); AN/CPS-6B (1).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    The 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is attached to the 64th Air Division (Defense). It is a GCI station responsible to the 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (ADDC).

    Operations:

    Projects, Plans and Programs – Change of UMD effective 1 July 1960 authorized twenty-six (26) enlisted personnel and two (2) officers. Section is preparing a four (4) week AC&W Proficiency Course for all Operations personnel. The squadron has participated in two (2) actual ,missions – Exercise Sky Shield and Exercise Big Show.

    Personnel:

    Authorized: Officers – 12; Enlisted – 115; Assigned: Officers – 10; Enlisted – 123.

    No problems exist in AFSC’s or skill level of airmen assigned during this period. However, due to overages, 9 airmen with AFSC 273X0 were assigned to northern sites. Retention and replacement of personnel has created no problems.

    Equipment Performance:

    All functions of the C&E Section were normal during the reporting period with the following exceptions: (1) Installed SSM-7 Teletype Mixer for on-line cryptographic capability. (2) Removed the radome and radome blower system from the AN/TPS-502 tower and turned in all AN/TPS-502 equipment to supply.

    Facilities:

    Work Order requests (AF Form 332) for redecorating and repairs have been submitted to Goose Air Defense Sector for approval and are as follows:

    Paint the complete interior of building 3719 (Orderly Room).
    Retile floor in building 3719 (Orderly Room).
    Repaint halls, latrine and lounge room in Operations Building (walls only).
    Extend exhaust stack above the roof of Building 3703 (Power Plant).
    Construct a sound proof partition inside Building 3703 (Power Plant).
    A contract to install a 5 ply-built up roofing Building 3734 (Radar Tower).
    Completion estimates: $2,222.00.

    Maintenance and Supply Problems:

    Organization – Current Unit Manning Document has dropped one Supply Technician and authorized one Transportation Technician AFSC 6021. As of this date no forecast has been received to fill this vacancy.

    Supply Support – From Support Base – During this reporting period we have been experiencing some difficulties procuring automotive spare parts. However, with the receipt of the Petty Cash Fund, this problem has now been eliminated. Also, during this reporting period we have had some difficulties receiving supplies from BPSS, Harmon Air Force Base. However, this problem is presently being co-ordinated between Harmon Air Force Base and this station and we expect the solution to this problem to be forthcoming in the near future. From Division – Receiving very good support from 64th Air Division and Goose Air Defense Sector.

    Transportation – Major Kennedy, Supply Officer, has been appointed Transportation Officer at Harmon Air Force Base, for the purpose of issuing Transportation Requests.

    Surpluses – At present no specific disposal instructions are in effect. The Support Agreement with Ernest Harmon Air Force Base is in the process of revision to include disposal procedures.

    Community Relations:

    The relationship between the civilian population and Air Force personnel, in the St. John’s area, is of a very high calibre. Using a for instance: There are approximately six (6) different Religious Denominations in the city of St. John’s and Military personnel attend and participate in every one of the religious activities of each denomination.

    Programs – Since the phase out of Pepperrell Air Force Base this squadron has competed in a very strong athletic program in the city of St. John’s. They have won the city championship senior Softball League and lost the Basketball League tournament in an exciting sudden death game. Throughout the tournaments a keen and friendly rival prevailed between this squadron team and the city aggregations, testifying the high cordial relation existing between civilians and military personnel.

    Morale:

    Estimates of Status of Morale – The morale of this squadron is of a standard nature in view of the fact that entertainment, for military personnel, is limited. However, there is action being taken to procure stateside entertainment. There is an Officers and NCO Club at this station which is an outlet for a medium of entertainment and social exchange.

    Existing factors which have an affect on morale – The existing factor that has an effect on this squadron is the athletic leagues in St. John’s of which this squadron is invited to participate.

    Documents to be Included:

    Copy of Goose Air Defense Sector Regulation 20-10 dated 30 June. (see end of this report for this document).

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    William A Nansen, Major, USAF

    Signature

     

    GADS REG 20-10

    Headquarters, Goose Air Defense Sector
    APO 677, New York, New York.
    30 June 1960

    GADS Regulation
    No. 20-10

    Organization – General
    Mission of 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

    Purpose: To prescribe the mission of the 642nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.

    1. – Mission: The mission of the 642nd ACW Squadron is to conduct air defense operations within assigned area of responsibility as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3 and function as a surveillance station in the Air Defense System.

    2. – Organization: The 642nd ACW Squadron is a non-T/O organization organized to perform early warning for the Goose Air Defense Sector. Organization will be as directed by applicable manning documents.

    3. – Responsibilities: The Commander, 642nd ACW Squadron will exercise command jurisdiction over all personnel assigned, including Detachment #1, Gap Filler. He will be directly responsible to the Commander, Goose Air Defense Sector for:

    a

    Air surveillance, within capabilities and limitations of the assigned area of responsibility.

    b

    Provide a trained unit in support of the Goose NORAD Sector Combat Center operations.

    c

    Provision of early warning information on all unknown or hostile tracks to the parent Master Direction Center.

    d

    Supervision of the administrative personnel, maintenance, supply and operations functions of Detachment #1 (Gap Filler).

    e

    Participation in other than air defense operations as directed.

    4. – Functions: To perform his mission, the Commander 642nd ACW Squadron will:

    a

    Conduct continuous surveillance at the optimum calibrated capabilities of the equipment employed.

    b

    Collect, evaluate, and display pertinent information on air activities within the assigned sub-sector.

    c

    Disseminate specific air surveillance data to parent Master Direction Center, Surveillance Stations, and other authorized agencies.

    d

    Establish and conduct a training program in accordance with directives, policies and schedules issued by this or higher headquarters.

    e

    Operate and maintain terminal equipment of assigned point-to-point communications channels, and all Air-Ground and High Frequency back-up communications.

    f

    Provide operations information, records and operations reports to the parent Master Direction Center and as directed by this or higher headquarters.

    g

    Co-operate with and assist rescue units within capabilities.

    h

    Utilize all means to minimize or eliminate effects of electronic countermeasures or interference caused by weather or electronic disturbances.

    i

    Perform the functions of a Base Commander including the internal and external security of the base and safeguarding of all government property at the site.

    j

    Recommend to the Commander, Goose Air Defense Sector, policies, doctrines, plans, requirements, organization, systems. Tactics, techniques and procedures applicable to the air defense mission.

    k

    Provide this headquarters with immediate notification of ineffective performance of Support Base Responsibilities or problems beyond the capability of the unit to resolve within local resources.

    l

    Provide effective active and passive defense measures in consonance with his "Estimate of the Situation".

    5. - Communications

    a

    The Commander of the 642nd ACW Squadron is authorized direct communications with the Commander of his parent Master Direction Center and other ACW Squadrons on matters pertaining to his assigned mission.

    b

    Direct communication is authorized with the Commander of his support base on all support base responsibilities.

    c

    Direct communications is authorized with the 64th Air Division (Defense) as established in appropriate directives.

    For the Commander:

    Alan M Lindsey
    1st Lt., USAF
    Administrative Officer

    The Regulation supersedes 4731st ADEFGRU Reg. 20-4 dated 1 May 1958.

    OPI: GSCAS
    Distribution: S