St. Anthony, NF

921^st AC&W Squadron
APO 862, New York, NY

John H Fuss, Major

AN/FPS-3(C), 1; AN/FPS-14, 1 (Gap Filler); AN/TPS-502, 1; AN/FPS-502, 1.

1 October through 31 December 1958

The Operations section is now manned with sufficient skilled personnel, both directors and airmen, to provide for the establishment of four complete crews. For the first time in many months crews are able to receive break periods which was not possible under the three crew system. The UPA-35 scope arrived on the 21^st of November and as soon as sufficient cable is received it will be installed as a directors scope in the Ops room. The availability of F-102’s capability has been an important factor in increasing morale and interest in the squadron. STP equipment has arrived and will be installed when qualified personnel or instructions for installation are received. One Staff Sergeant has been selected to attend the training course for operation of the SPT equipment at Santa Monica, California in January 1959.

In the Communications-Electronics area, a multi-channel UHF transmitter was moved from the remote site to radar tower #3 on a trial basis to ascertain the feasibility of permanently utilizing the tower as a transmitter site, thereby eliminating the need for a manned transmitter site at some distance from the main area. After a forty-five day trial, results indicated that transmission characteristics were inferior to the old location. During this quarter we received and installed an AN/GPA-30. Awaiting installation are two 0A-947’s, the AN/GPS-T2 trainer, and a UPA-35.

The operational plan for SUNEC 58 was satisfactorily completed 29 November 1958 and the two civilians temporarily hired to assist this ACWRON during the 58 open water shipping season, were released. As SUNEC 58 was ushered out, work began on SUNEC 59. Requirements totalling 775 line items were computed and hand carried to Pepperrell AFB. Contractor excesses totalling nearly 80 tons were loaded and shipped to Pepperrell as retrograde cargo. Major reports included: conversion of NL numbers to Federal Cataloguing Program, Hi-Value Program, final report on supply improvement program covering a six month period ending 30 November 1958, and finally, the report listing the accomplishments of the Operational Plan for SUNEC 58. Items of new equipment fell largely in the electronics category and included UPA/35 scope, 0A-947/FST-1 co-ordinate data monitor and the AN/GPS-T2 trainer. Laundry equipment for the unit laundry amounting to a washer and dryer was received. Supply difficulties encountered were largely focused on installations material. Cummins diesel, transformer for Ric-Wil line, washing machine parts, space heaters, plumbing and electrical supplies, all suffered for lack of parts, for which priority requisitions had to be submitted. Apparently open season was declared on communications spares also because there was demand for items never before stocked. Exclusive of annual requisitions, 300 requisitions representing other squadron requirements were submitted to AFB 2510, our parent support.

In the Installations area, difficulty was experienced with the Ric-Wil water line in that water from the outside seeped into the casing at one point shorting out a section of pipe. Drain holes were cut and the section drained allowing us to place the section back on the line. Also, high winds blew the cover off of a line transformer which was replaced. Assistance will be requested in the spring to locate and repair outer casing leaks.

We had an unfortunate accident in that the oil line was struck near the lower POL area and the ruptured section was cut out and a new section installed. Unions were used to make a mechanical joint. High winds, blowing snow, and cold weather hampered repair operations. We now have enough oil in the upper tank to last until May so no further trouble is expected there. In the spring assistance will be requested to make a permanent type repair. The remainder of our operation had consisted of normal preventative maintenance and minor repairs to other facilities.

The following contracts were completed during this quarter: Replace storm windows AF656(208)-477. Ric-Wil lines, installation of Ammeters AFJ65-208-319 and Pole Vault roof project PEP 53-9 and 54-9.

We are experiencing some difficulties in the Motor Pool, as we did not receive all of our resupply of vehicle parts. We had three vehicles VDP in the month of December.

Community relations are excellent. Our relations with the staff at the Grenfell Hospital in St. Anthony have been very cordial. The Squadron was host to the children of the Grenfell Orphanage for a Christmas party on the 22^nd of December. Squadron personnel have been assisting the town in the construction of an outdoor ice skating rink and are participating in skiing and other winter sports. Community relations between the detachment at La Scie and the village are reported as excellent.

The detachment (gap filler) at La Scie has settled down to winter operations. The transition from open water to ice for airlift operations has been slow. The lake at La Scie has not frozen and the water temperature in the harbor makes it impossible for aircraft to operate. However, boat service is still available and should continue through the middle of January. La Scie has had trouble with the heated water supply line and has requested a complete overhaul of this system for next summer.

John H Fuss, Major, USAF