Stephenville, Labrador

1968 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 October 1968 to 31 December 1968

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

640th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
APO NY, 09864

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Paul D Werner, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 37th Air Division, APO New York 09677
    1st Air Force, Stewart Air Force Base, New York 12550
    Aerospace Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado 80912

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • None

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • To provide the Commander, 37th NORAD Division with an operational combat control force; to exercise operational control within assigned area of responsibility over all air defense forces assigned, attached, or otherwise made available by proper authority; to maintain the capability to assume alternate Command Post Operations (ALCOP), as directed; to function as a NORAD Surveillance Station; and to provide safe passage to SAC aircraft when the Emergency War (EWO) Order is exercised.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    7

    82

    57

    146

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    78

    57

    141

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Radio Telephone – 1 FTA-13, 2 M-19, 2 AN/GRC-27, 7 AN/GRT-3, 7 AN/GRR-7, 1 FRT-502, 2 URG-60, 1 AN/TIQ-3, 3 RD-142.
    Radar – 1 AN/FPS-93A, 1 AN/FPS-90, 1 GPX-7A, 1 AN/UPX-14, 1 AN/GPA-30, 1 AN/GPS-T2A, 6 GPA-127, 1 AN/GPS-T4, 2 OA-99, 5 UPA-35, 1 GLH-501.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Commanders:

    The 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron received the 37th Air Division Commanders Trophy on 4 November. This award was for the Third Quarter, Calendar Year 1968, and is presented to the Outstanding Unit of the 37th Air Division. During the period of 25 to 29th November, a Canadian Forces Joint Exercise, "Nautical Ranger", was conducted in the vicinity of the site. Support for the Exercise Control Group was provided by the Squadron. Participating in this exercise was the Third Canadian Infantry Brigade from Canadian Forces Base at Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, and Ships of the Canadian Navy. The Squadron received a letter of favorable communications for the outstanding support given to the exercise. A formal Squadron Dining-In was held in the Dining Hall on 21 November. All Squadron Officers and NCOs were present.

    Operations:

    During this quarter the following personnel departed PCS: 1st Lt. William Holford and T/Sgt. Clyde Howie. The following personnel arrived and began performing duties as indicated: 2nd Lt. Franklin Miller assumed duties as Operations Officer, M/Sgt. Glenn Cornett assumed duties as Chief Standardization Section, and S/Sgt. Jirrell Warren assumed duties as "C" Shift Crew Chief. The Operations Section participated in nine training exercises, eight of these were simulated and one live. All materials except soft pine 2 x 6 inch timbers have been received for construction of the new Operations Dias. Due to the timbers not being received, construction was again slipped until they arrive on site.

    CEM Maintenance:

    The CEM Maintenance Section won the 37th Air Division Maintenance Achievement Award for the Third Quarter, Calendar Year 1968. A Pre-Depot Level Maintenance inspection was conducted during December for all Radar and associated equipment. This inspection was conducted by a Canadian Marconi Company Team from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Instructions were received to delete one VHF radio frequency. This resulted in the removal of one AN/FRT-502 radio system. T/Sgt. James Taulbee arrived PCS the 31st of December and assumed duties as Height Radar Maintenance Supervisor.

    Station Support:

    M/Sgt. Norman F Grizzle departed PCS on 5 December. During this quarter there were 32 cargo/personnel flights from Goose AB to the 640th AC&W Squadron. Outbound cargo was 17,756 pounds of which 3,033 pounds was mail. Inbound cargo was 69,654 pounds of which 6,598 pounds was mail. Ninety four passengers arrived and one hundred and twenty departed via these flights. From 17 through 22 October, Captain Ferguson attended the fiscal year 69 Budget Review Conference at Goose AB, where the first review and updating of the Site Budget was accomplished. During the period 10 through 12 December, Captain Ferguson attended a Cost Reduction Conference at Goose AB. Three suggestions were submitted then for approximately $90,000 savings. At that time, $15,000 was immediately approved as a legitimate cost reduction savings. Approval for the other two submissions is pending an Auditor’s report. During this quarter, through austere budget controls, approximately $24,000 was saved from the original budget allocation. Work on the Food Service Lounge was completed during October. In December, a trophy display section located in the Dining Hall was redecorated. This facility was selected as First Air Force, Category II, first runner-up in the annual Hennessy Trophy competition.

    Civil Engineering:

    Captain Robert A Kroener arrived 3 October and assumed duties as Civil Engineer. He replaced Captain Harry A Furney who departed PCS 11 October. Mr. George Lee, Boiler Inspector from the Canadian Labor Department in Ottawa, Canada, arrived 29 October. He conducted an external inspection of number two boiler and an internal inspection of number one. Both boilers were found to be in good condition. During the period of 4 through 15 November an Eight Air Force Mobile Maintenance Team from Goose AB, performed the following tasks: Installed new service wiring to the Dining Facility, building 1534. Lowered the power transformer and mounting platform on the primary line to the TACAN building. Installed fluorescent lighting in buildings 1531 and 1533. Installed 2,240 square feet of masonite on the gym walls. During a severe December storm, approximately 1,000 feet of street light wiring was blown down. This was replaced by Civil Engineering Electricians. In addition, these personnel installed a fire alarm protective system in the TACAN building. Eight fire drills were conducted in this quarter. During fire prevention week, 6-12 October, several special fire inspections and demonstrations were conducted and two fire prevention displays were erected in the Squadron area.

    Recreation Services:

    Basketball season opened 1 October with 15 personnel participating. All local games were handily won by the 640th team. They were entered in a two day "round robin" tournament at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The team won third place in that tournament, facing stiff competition from Eastern Newfoundland teams, which included one from Argentia Naval Base. The Squadron formed a beginners Hockey League team and entered into play with teams of similar ability in the local area. A competitive bowling league, composed of six teams was organized in this quarter and final play ended 23 December. The dart league finished play with a tournament held 17 through 19 December with the Squadron Officers Team winning. In addition, two teams were entered into the Western Newfoundland Dart League. The winning team in this league will compete for the all Newfoundland Dart Championship. The Moose season ended 28 December and several personnel enjoyed successful hunts. An Electronics Hobby Shop was established in the Hobby Crafts area of the Gym and nine pieces of test equipment were purchased and made available for the use of Squadron personnel.
    Prepared By: Dale R Dauman, M/Sgt., USAF

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Paul D Werner, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature

     

    Key Personnel

    Lt. Col. Paul D Werner

    Commander

    1st Lt. William B Lariscy

    Personnel Officer

    T/Sgt. William S Buchanan

    First Sergeant

    Captain Thomas W Stephenson III

    CEM Maintenance Officer

    SM/Sgt. James D Hibbard

    CEM Maintenance NCOIC

    2nd Lt. Franklin J Miller

    Operations Officer

    SM/Sgt. Allen W Mobley

    Operations NCOIC

    Captain James E Ferguson

    Supply Officer

    Sgt. Glenn Green

    Supply NCOIC

    Captain Robert A Kroener

    Engineering Officer