Stephenville, NF

1959 - Welcome to 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron booklet - Stan Neuhaus

WELCOME TO


640TH AC&W Squadron


Cover Page

CONTENTS
LOCATION Page 1
HISTORY Page 2
MISSION Page 2
RECREATION Page 2
HOUSING Page 3
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Page 3
SCHOOLS Page 3
COMMUNITY AREA Page 3
BUS RUN SCHEDULE Page 4
TRANSPORTATION Page 5
CLIMATE Page 5
REGISTRATION & CUSTOMS Page 5
AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURES Page 6
OPERATING HOURS OF SQUADRON ACTIVITIES Page 7
WINTER MONTHS Page 8
OPERATING HOURS OF ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Page 9
640TH AC&W BASE DIAGRAM Page 10


SQUADRON PHONE

EXT 771

LOCATION

The 640th AC&W Squadron known as "Pinetree", is located on a hill 5 1/2 air miles from and overlooking Ernest Harmon AFB. Although the air distance is rather short, the site itself is located at Point-au-Mal, some 13 1/2 miles of unpaved roads from Stephenville. Plans are currently under way to hard surface a portion of the road to the radar station.

HISTORY

The 640th AC&W Squadron is one of the system of remote radar sites known as the USAF Air Defense Commands "Pinetree" which runs roughly along the US-Canadian boundary and is designed to give early warning of any possible attack by enemy aircraft.

The 640th, a unit of Headquarters, 64th Air Division, Air Defense Command was constructed in 1952 and occupied at that time by the Air National Guard.

In 1953, the Air Force occupied the site and it became part of the North Eastern Air Command. Later, the 64th Air Division was activated and the 640th AC&W Squadron was re-assigned as an intrical part of the "Pinetree Line" under the 64th Air Division (Defense).

MISSION

The 640th is a Master Direction Center having operational control over the 921st AC&W Squadron at St. Anthony and the 642nd AC&W Squadron at St. John's. The Squadron, with it's slave sites, controls entrances to southern Labrador and all of Newfoundland, with a mission of detection, identification, intercept and destruction if necessary of hostile aircraft. The 640th works as a team with the 323rd Fighter Intercept Squadron - located at Ernest Harmon AFB in Stephenville. As an additional requirement, the 640th provides emergency assistance to all aircraft in Distress and provides radar weather advisory service.

RECREATION

There are many facets of recreation, in addition to the base clubs, movies, and live TV. Ernest Harmon has a new 12 lane bowling establishment offering both league and open bowling. Ernest Harmon has its own Bowling Association and all bowling is sanctioned. There is very little swimming but the salmon and trout fishing is outstanding. The surrounding woods offer the hunters moose, caribou and bear and those who enjoy hunting varmints, there are fox and lynx. Those who like birds, there are ducks, geese and ptarmigans.

There are also the usual sports activities of baseball, softball and volley ball that offer the spectator many enjoyable hours. In addition, there is a fine gymnasium, where basketball, handball and other indoor sports are available. For the golfers, Ernest Harmon has a fine nine hole course with club house facilities.

Stephenville does offer live wrestling and baseball.

HOUSING

Base housing is one of the very best in the Air Force for those fortunate enough to be assigned quarters. Since the housing is very limited and assigned by date of rank, quarters are normally limited to Captains and above, and ranking NCO's in the grade of T/Sgt. and M/Sgt. Others reside in homes and trailers in Stephenville and adjacent villages of Port au Port and Stephenville Crossing. Off base housing is expensive and it is very difficult to locate acceptable family type quarters.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

There are very few job opportunities in the Stephenville area. There are occasional jobs open at Ernest Harmon AFB.

SCHOOLS

There is a fine grammar school at Ernest Harmon AFB and several schools available in Stephenville. Ernest Harmon AFB also has an accredited high school.

COMMUNITY AREA

The metropolitan center of Western Newfoundland is Corner-Brook, the second largest city in Newfoundland. This city of 37,000 inhabitants is located 59 miles from Ernest Harmon AFB. It is a modern city offering all of the activities of a state side metropolis.

Stephenville, a local township and adjacent to Ernest Harmon AFB has a population of 8,000 including American dependents. The town has a variety of stores, eating establishments, night clubs, churches and schools. Although small, Stephenville has all of the necessities available to make your tour enjoyable.

RUN SCHEDULE

Leaves Harmon

07:00
11:00
15:00
22:45

Leaves Pinetree

08:15
13:00
16:40
00:15
TRANSPORTATION

Officers, working days are picked up early morning by the alert vehicle and returned in the same manner. Officers and airmen working shift utilize the bus. Private vehicles are often utilized but it is extremely rough and not recommended.

- Bus Stops - Airmen's Transient Barracks
- - - Officers Club (on request)
- - - Main Gate
- - - Clover Club
- - - Red Rose Club
- - - Gallants Corner

CLIMATE

In the Ernest Harmon area of Newfoundland, the average yearly maximum temperature is 48 degrees with the average minimum being 35 degrees. This gives us a mean of 41 degrees. Harmon has an average yearly rain fall of 40.56 inches and a 96 inch average snowfall. The highest temperature ever recorded was 87 degrees and -15 degrees the coldest.

REGISTRATION & CUSTOMS

All newly arrived personnel must check through the Identification and Registration Section at Ernest Harmon AFB and must have insurance when registering a car.

It is also necessary to register with Canadian Customs in the Town of Stephenville and renew your customs permit every six months.

AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURES

Jan. 24 degrees Jul. 61 degrees
Feb. 22 degrees Aug. 61 degrees
Mar. 27 degrees Sep. 55 degrees
Apr. 35 degrees Oct. 46 degrees
May 45 degrees Nov. 37 degrees
Jun. 53 degrees Dec. 28 degrees
During the winter of 1958-1959, Ernest Harmon
experienced the heaviest snowfall in its history, 248
plus inches. The 640th AC&W had better than 35
inches over and above this figure.

OPERATING HOURS OF SQUADRON ACTIVITIES

Normal working hours for the Squadron are 08:00 to 16:30 hours, Mondays through Friday.

Operational shift hours are as follows:

- - Days 07:45 - 15:45 -
- - Swings 15:45 - 23:45 -
- - Mids 23:45 - 07:45 -

Dining Hall - Breakfast 07:00 - 08:15 -
- - Dinner (early) 11:00 - 11:10 -
- - Dinner 11:30 - 12:45 -
- - Supper 16:00 - 17:00 -
- - Midnight 23:00 - 00:15 -

- Week-ends Breakfast 07:30 - 11:00 -
- - Dinner 14:00 - 16:30 -

Dispensary - - 08:00 - 16:00 Monday through Friday
- - Medic is on call at the barracks on weekends.

- - The Squadron does not have an assigned doctor or a dentist. All emergencies out-patient care and dental work is handled by Ernest Harmon AFB hospital and dental clinic.

Base Exchange - 12:00 - 13:00 Daily Monday through Friday -
- - 16:30 - 18:00 Monday through Friday -
- - 14:00 - 16:30 Saturday -

Snack Bar - 16:00 - 21:00 Monday through Friday -
- - 15:00 - 21:30 Saturday and Sunday -

Officers Lounge The Officers Lounge is run by the Officer on the site. One Officer is appointed as Club Officer and orders all of the required stock and keeps account of sales.

- - Bar 16:00 - 24:00 Monday through Friday
- - - 12:00 - 24:00 Saturday and Sunday

- - TV and Movies - Nightly

In the winter, the high winds cause the snow
to drift to heights of five (5) to six (6) feet in a
matter of minutes. On many occasions, the
regular run can not navigate the entire hill and
the passengers have had to walk the remaining
distance.

NCO's Bar 17:00 - 23:30 Monday through Friday
- 17:00 - 01:00 Saturdays
- 17:00 - 23:30 Sundays
- Mondays Dime night
- Tuesdays Bingo
- Wednesdays Cribbage
- Thursday Pinochle-Nichel
- Mug Night -

Day Room in "A" Barracks 08:00 - 24:00 Daily

Library 08:00 - 12:00 Monday through Friday

Movies 17:30 - 20:00 - 24:00 Daily
- 14:00 - 17:00 Saturday and Sunday

- - The movie schedule is flexible due to the availability of pictures.

Hobby Shop & Special Service Equipment 12:00 - 17:00 Monday through Friday

Amateur Radio Systems Round the clock operation

Commissary - Ernest Harmon AFB 10:00 - 18:00 hours
- 10:00 - 14:00 hours Saturday

Theatre - Ernest Harmon AFB 18:00 - 20:00 Monday and Friday
- 13:30 - 18:00 - 20:00 Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
- 13:30 - 18:00 - 20:00 Saturday
- 13:00 continuous Sunday

BX Gas Station - Ernest Harmon AFB Normal duty hours

Main BX - Ernest Harmon AFB 10:00 - 18:00 Monday through Friday
- 10:00 - 14:00 Saturday

Clothing Sales Store - EHAFB 08:30 - 16:00 Normal duty hours

Officers Wives Club - EHAFB 14:30 - 16:30 1st Tuesday of every month
(for new comers - coffee)

Airman's Wives Club - EHAFB 13:30 Every Thursday
(check for new comers coffee)

NCO's Wives Club - EHAFB 13:00 Every Wednesday
(check for new comers coffee)

640th AC&W Squadron station map.