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.
Radar – 1 each AN/FPS-20A, 1 each AN/FPS-6B, 1 each AN/GPX-7A IFF/SIF, 1 each AN/GPA-30, 1 each 0A-175 PPI, 3 each UPA-35 PPI, 10 each 0A-99 PPI (2 each in depot repair), 1 each AN/GPS-T2A Trainer, 1 each AN/GPS-T-4 trainer.

During this period, winter finally faded into spring causing an overall rise in morale. At the same time, the thaws revealed an accumulation of debris blown in by the winter winds, which were sometimes in excess of 100 knots. The spring cleanup has brought about several changes in the station. Most of the buildings have been repainted in pleasing pastel shades. Grass is growing where only rocks and bare ground were once predominant. Project Shape Up has resulted in renovations from the Commanders Office to the barracks with pleasing results.

Operations:

No major operational difficulties were encountered during this period. Many new changes have taken place, such as a new Training Office, panelling of passage ways, remodelling of the Operations Office and more changes are programmed to follow. Performance of the mission has been in a highly satisfactory manner. The 64^th AD Tactical Evaluation was conducted with great success. We carried a total of 6,087 tracks and attempted 304 intercepts, completing 298 for a 98% successful rate. Twenty-three missions were conducted in the System Training Program and all were successful.

Personnel:

The Administrative Section lost one airman to rotation during this period and normal leaves have required additional effort to keep up the fast pace. Lt. Colonel Hall, our Commander, departed on Ordinary Leave and Major Herbert A Ford, assumed Command during his absence. During the month of June the Personnel section was busy in preparation to turning all of the personnel records over to GADS Consolidated Records Section. The 303X2 career field is still critically undermanned. This situation will be alleviated by the end of the summer.

Equipment Performance:

In-commission problem during this period have been encountered as follows:

(see the matrix at the end of this report)

The installation of the new equipment has been completed but a few problems remain. One of these is serious leakage of the rigid radomes. This will be alleviated by recaulking.

There is a continuing problem of insufficient manning. By mid August there will be only 9 men in the section with 19 authorized. Only two gains are projected and due in September.

Facilities:

The station exchange was rehabilitated by the Mobile Maintenance Team. In addition, they effected repairs to doors and door jams and installed automatic controls and warning devices on the water supply system. Work is progressing favorably on painting buildings and repairing the roof and floor on the operations building. A contract was let to purchase $2,500 in limestone screening for repairing of the access road. Tenders were asked for another contract to replace the roofing material and effect repairs on buildings 1560 and 1570. A request has been submitted and approved for a project costing $4,500 for an enclosed corridor between the two barracks.

Maintenance and Supply Problems:

During this period we submitted 195 requests for local purchase supplies of which 41 were filled. Likewise, there was a total of 155 requests submitted to Base Supply of which 50 were completed. A complete inventory was taken 2 May 61, of Unit and Tech Supply prior to transferral of the account from 1^st Lt. Prior to Captain Mortine. An inventory of Air Force Publications and Stock Lists was completed and requests were submitted to bring our files up to date.

Supply Support:

Priority two documents on electronics spares have taken considerable processing time from Goose AFB. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining parts for weapons carriers, due to the fact that these parts are no longer being stocked. On 25 June we also started drawing rations on the new method which is being used throughout the Air Force.

Morale:

It is estimated that morale at Stephenville Air Force Station is considerably higher than it has been for some time. With the advent of good weather, fishing trips and section picnics have been quite popular. Transportation for these events has been furnished by the Motor Pool.

Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF