Stephenville, Labrador

640^th ACWRON
APO 864, New York, NY

Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel

Radio Telephone – 1 each 611 Telephone Plant, 11 each M-19 Teletype Machines, 1 each M-28 Teletype Machines, Quantity GRC-27 A/G UHF Radio, Classified GRT-3 A/G UHF Radio, Classified FRT-502 A/G VHF Radio Transmitter, Classified VRG-60 A/G VHF Radio Receiver, Classified BC-610 HF Point to Point.
Radar – 1 each AN/FPS-20A, 1 each AN/TPS-502 back up height, 1 each AN/GPX-7A SIF, 1 each AN/GPA-30 Video Mapper, 1 each AN/GPS-T2A Trainer, 1 each AN/UPS-T5 15-J-1C, 1 each Target Simulator, 1 each AN/GPS-T-4 trainer.

The arrival of Spring at the 640^th AC&W Squadron is without a doubt the most welcome event in this reporting period.

Evidence of a retreating Winter, while very slight, is bringing with it long awaited relief to two major problems: Transportation, and water shortage, resulting from a frozen water supply which reduced seepage into the well.

During the three month period, the access road was closed frequently due to heavy snowfall and drifting snow. When this occurred, traffic to and from the station depended solely on "snow go" operations working out of Ernest Harmon Air Force Base. During March, our water supply became critical, and as a corrective measure, was cut off to the barracks from 0001 to 0600 local time.

Despite the environment created by adverse weather conditions, units within the squadron performed effectively and with a high degree of teamwork.

Operations:

Five live exercises were conducted during the reporting period and the results indicate a high degree of success. Thirty-two intercepts were attempted of which twenty-four were successful for an MA rate of 75%. The overall MA rate on live intercepts during the quarter was much higher, approximately 93%. (321 actual intercepts were attempted of which 300 were successful). The higher success rate on training missions is understandable since the targets during an exercise will more closely approximate a hostile situation. In addition, twenty-four STM’s were scheduled and twenty were conducted. Weapons directors accomplished a total of 279 synthetic intercepts during the three month period. A new AN/GPS T-4 trainer arrived and was installed. This should add a new touch of reality to the synthetic program.

Manning during the reporting period has remained at 100% plus. However, Officer strength has decreased.

Personnel:

There have been a few personnel changes. Our personnel Sergeant Major rotated to the CONUS. As yet we do not have a replacement for him and a prolonged delay may adversely affect our section. Our new First Sergeant, M/Sgt. Ralph G Hackett, arrived to replace M/Sgt. John L Palko who rotated to the ZI. One officer has arrived for reassignment to this unit and two have rotated to the CONUS. In the enlisted category 16 have reported and 18 have been processed for rotation. The arrival and projected arrival of communications personnel has relieved the critical situation in the 304 field.

Our Commander, Lt. Colonel Charles E Hall, attended the 64^th Air Division Commanders Conference at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on March 1^st through 5^th.

Equipment Performance:

During February the UHF antenna overhaul team completed emergency depot maintenance and replaced six of the antennas. Since then, A/G Radio Operation has been very good. The Amateur Radio Station was set up in Building 1533 and is being operated on a limited basis. The HF Net 24 was discontinued in March and the equipment declared surplus. Later on in March the rest of the AN/FT-13 Telephone equipment arrived. The installation team is expected in May with installation completion set for June 1961.

The AN/FPS-20 installation was completed during the period. Out of 2,610 hours the Prime Radar was fully operational 2,132 hours, and substandard 28 hours.

Facilities:

The Civil Engineer office and shops were moved in January from the Motor Pool, building 1546 to building 1537. New shop equipment arrived and was installed. The Mobile Maintenance Team, consisting of five, later six, tradesmen, have repaired and rehung all doors on the barracks, BOQ, power plant and other buildings; renovated steam systems in barracks and rehabilitated the Base Exchange building. Snow and cold weather created the expected headaches, chiefly in regard to snow removal.

Maintenance and Supply Problems:

In support of "Project Shape Up" 167 requisitions were initiated. At the end of February, 166 requisitions were outstanding. During March 447 requisitions were initiated and a total of 398 were outstanding. Forty-nine requisitions were filled in March. During the period Supply’s strength was increased by four military personnel and Captain Weldon D Mortine, our new Supply Officer was being made familiar with the overall operation of supply.

No maintenance problems have occurred during this quarter, and electronic support from Goose AB, and Supply support from Ernest Harmon AFB, has been excellent.

Morale:

In addition to the many improvements made by the Mobile Maintenance Team, other improvements are being made in buildings and ground. Among these are a complete remodelling of the dining hall, including the latrine, an area drainage system presently in the planning stages, and the station bowling alley is nearing completion and is expected to open in early April.

The heavy snowfall made it necessary for all personnel to work many hours in addition to their primary duty in order to accomplish the mission. This was done willingly and the work was distributed on a fairly even basis. One case of frost-bite was reported when supplies had to be transferred by hand from the cold storage buildings to the dining hall.

Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF