St. Anthony, NF

921^st AC&W Squadron
APO 864, New York

Sydney M Chesler, Major

AN/FPS-3(C), 1; AN/FPS-14, 1 (Gap Filler); AN/FPS-502, 1; AN/UPA-35, 1; AN/GPS-T2, 1; AN/GPS-T2A, 1; AN/GPA-30, 1; AN/UPS-15, 1.

1 July 1960 through 30 September 1960

Command Section:

During the period 8-12 September the annual General Inspection by the 64^th Air Division was conducted at this squadron. M/Sgt. George J McLaughlin took over the responsibilities of First Sergeant on 27 July. The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland, the Honorable Campbell MacPherson, paid a visit to the station on 10 August 1960. We were honored with the first staff visit from our new headquarters, Goose Air Defense Sector, during the month of September 1960.

Operations Section:

On 21 July the newly renovated Direction Center was re-occupied and made operational. After a few minor adjustments were made and a general familiarization of personnel with equipment and other facilities were accomplished, a more comfortable and effective organization resulted.

Captain Bernard Goss arrived on 31 August and took over as the new Operations Officer.

After many months of indecision, the mission of the squadron was resolved and we remain as a direction center. This decision has increased the morale of personnel and contributed to the high degree of operational effectiveness.

The early part of September was devoted to an inspection by the 64^th Air Division IG Team and to the conduct of Operation Skyshield. The Operations section was commended for its efforts concerning both of these important events. During this same period, on the 5^th of September, as part of Squadron Open House activities, briefings were given to some 500 people from the surrounding communities, concerning the mission and specific function of the squadron as related to Air Defense.

Base Engineer Activities:

Power Plant – Normal operations and maintenance procedures were accomplished. During the month of August five (5) engines had major overhauls by Canadian Marconi. These were engines number 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Heating Plant – Cleaning and repainting of Heating Plant was completed during this reporting period. Preventative maintenance was conducted on all pumps, motors and boilers during this period.

Maintenance Shops – Normal preventative maintenance on buildings and utilities were performed with no major problems encountered to date. Improvements made during this period include the following: Constructed platform under plotting board in Operations; began construction of a corridor between existing corridor and dry storage warehouse to allow access to the bowling alley; Constructed roof on Tower #2; made necessary changes and additions to plumbing and electrical circuits in modification of hot water in Airmen’s Lounge; and installed new doughnut machine in Dining Hall.

Transportation:

Commercial Transportation – All commercial aircraft were met during this period with no major problems occurring. Cargo, mail and personnel moved by air during period of report was as follows:

(see matrix at end of this report)

Motor Vehicles – Operation and maintenance of motor vehicles was accomplished with no major problems occurring.

Personnel – Captain James M Hamilton replaced Major Sidney J Hines as Base Civil Engineer in September 1960.

FY O&M Projects:

The following projects were completed during this reporting period:

(see matrix at end of this report)

Supply Section:

During this report period 30 tons of contractor excesses and scrap metal was removed from the salvage building and destroyed by burying, 3000 empty drums and 150 boxes of plywood panelling that had been declared CADC were removed by the buyers. Also declarations were made to Harmon for the sale next year of some excess pipe and miscellaneous salvage items.

The supply section assumed the responsibility of the food service warehouse during this period. In July we inventoried, re-warehoused and prepared stock records cards for the food on hand. Several instances of spoilage of large quantities of subsistence were discovered and action taken to obtain permission for destruction. Also action was taken to fill shortages that resulted from the spoiled food.

91% of the 1960 SUNEC supplies were received during the period. The SS Arctic Tanker ship arrived from Nirobia, Africa on the 19^th of July 1960 with 11,620 barrels of bulk fuel aboard for this station. The SS Farendoc arrived the 22^nd of July 1960 with 470 drums of POL and 1 ton of miscellaneous cargo. The SS Canuck Trader arrived on the 16^th of August 1960 with dry cargo supplies. These supplies consisted of housekeeping supplies, subsistences (can good, spices, etc.) and base exchange supplies, the majority of which did not arrive. The MV Blue Trader arrived the 2^nd of September 1960 with 18 tons of frozen cargo.

34 tons of excess cargo was retrograded to Montreal. This shipment contained the TPS-502 radar set and related equipment.

In September we inventoried housekeeping supplies and reviewed stock levels in preparation for the 1961 Annual Requisitions. Work was almost complete on the annual requisitions by the end of September.

Communications – Electronics:

During the quarter several large scale projects have been accomplished by and for the C&E section. The temporary Operations room was relocated to its permanent location after remodelling was completed. This imposed an additional work load on the Wire Maintenance and Radar Maintenance sections but the sections came through with minimum out of the net time.

The Marconi Calibration team visited this station between 15 August and 10 October 1960. All test equipment from C&E was calibrated without serious disorder to daily routines or PM requirements.

Communications – Operations and Maintenance:

Radio – No outages on radio equipment, other than scheduled maintenance, have occurred during this quarter. One TH-41 transmitter assembly and two (2) DDR-2 Receiver Bay assemblies plus two (2) R-91 receivers were shipped to Montreal, Canada in accordance with written instructions from 64 AD (D).

Training for this period in accordance with 64^th Air Division Manual 50-1 has been conducted and practical work given. All personnel are considered proficient on subjects given.

Minor difficulty was encountered with the batteries of the power units at the transmitter site. Although the amplifier showed charging, they didn’t seem to be holding a good charge. A new battery was received and installed in the Power unit and it now operates satisfactorily.

Wire Maintenance – During this quarter wire maintenance has gained two (2) 36250B’s and one 36152. These men are all Staff Sergeants and are five levels. The section is now overmanned by one Staff Sergeant.

During the quarter, wire maintenance performed a major overhaul of the NE-612 telephone system. This entailed rewiring all of the communications in the Operations Room. This was done without loss of any time. Since this overhaul there has been no trouble with the system.

One problem encountered by this section is the lack of Jumper Wire. This wire has been on order since May and on Priority since August. Supply reports there may not be any available for the next ninety (90) days.

Communications Center:

During the period covered, no major problems due to Communications Center equipment was encountered. One new piece of equipment, the SSM-7, was installed and is operating satisfactory.

At the present time this section is operating without a 29170 (Communications Center Supervisor). However, this situation will be relieved in the near future.

All personnel of this section, with the exception of one, are qualified at the five level in their AFSC. The one exception is on 5 level OJT with an expected completion date of November 1960. One Airman is on OJT for a seven level with an estimated completion date of 24 June 1961.

In this reporting period a total of 729 messages were received by this station. A total of 613 outgoing messages were handled during this period along with 303 relay messages. Average time involved for the above mentioned relay traffic is 15 to 20 minutes.

This message center acts as relay for messages sent between Cartwright and Fox Harbor. Total messages relayed each month averages 75-80, and results in considerable additional workload particularly when shortages have been experienced in this section. Consideration is being given to eliminating this station from the teletype loop and reengineering a direct circuit between Cartwright and Fox Harbor. An alternate consideration is procurement of a TC-16, teletype reperferator for tape receiving and relaying. This equipment would reduce workload of cutting tapes for each relayed message.

Radar Maintenance:

In July the radar equipment was moved back into the Operations Room after that room had been renovated. When possible, equipment was placed and cabled beforehand so that only two hours off the air time was required for the actual switch over. Normal operation was resumed on 19 July 1960.

In the course of moving back into Operations, several improvements were made in the cabling and power distribution system. One of these was the installation, under the dias, of video and trigger junction boxes for each of the PPI’s. Another was the fabrication of a power and syncro junction box for the UPS-T5 trainer. This enables the use of the trainer on tech power.

Still another item was the fabrication of a junction box enabling use of the plotting board and teller table on tech power. Several modifications were received and installed on the UPA-35 scope. Still lacking however, is the modification enabling active SIF operation.

During the first week of August, the TPS-502 was dismantled and removed by radar maintenance personnel. The biggest problem involved was the removal of the radome pressurization unit from the tower.

Section manning is up to par as far as number. However, there were 8 out of 12 airmen filling positions with higher rank than authorized. Three airmen were lost during this quarter, four were gained. Quality of personnel was excellent.

Two men are presently on OJT. One for the seven level and one for the five level. Proficiency training has been initiated for all personnel utilizing CTS personnel as instructors.

The equipment has functioned very well during the quarter but operation was improved on the prime set by operating at 200 RPF. An improved method was developed for tuning the prime radar receiver. This resulted in better pick up and longer crystal life. The back-up radar was on ROCP for 72 hours between 20 and 23 September for the lack of a signal mixer and preamp.

Community Relations:

The Squadron held an Open House on Labor Day 5 September. Special invitations were sent out to the senior citizens of the town of St. Anthony by the Commander. The outcome of the Open House was a great success as the towns people turned out in great numbers. Total attendance was approximately 500.

Relations with the surrounding communities remains excellent.

During this reporting period this station contributed 23 pints of blood to the Grenfell Hospital, St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

Sidney M Chesler, Major