Stephenville, NF

1^st Lt. George V Exner, the former Adjutant, was reassigned and 2^nd Lt. Joseph B McGinty, Jr. was assigned as his replacement. A/2C Hessie F Cabell, A/3C Jack Allen, and A/3C Cirilo Ruiz, Jr. were assigned to the orderly room during the reporting period.

A new reports control system was installed. This system has enabled us to establish and maintain 100% reporting effectiveness. Also newly installed, is a control and suspense system for all correspondence. This move has proven very desirable in that it enables the Orderly Room to maintain an active control over all correspondence within the squadron.

During September, this section was inspected by the 64^th Air Division (Defense) Air Inspectors. They found that all previously noted discrepancies had been eliminated, and that many improvements had been made.

Training:

By the use of letters, disposition forms, and various other means of communication we were able to increase our squadron distribution of all types of information material such as Armed Forces Press Sheet, Air Force Times, Northeast Guardian, Harmon Flash, and various other information material.

World news, as it was definitely established that we would not be able to receive over radio-teletype, arrangements are being made to assist the base radio station in the installation of this equipment, as this could be used as an alternative. Close coordination is being maintained.

One (1) hometown news release was forwarded to 64^th AD and information copy to EHAFB, and they in turn, used the release for a story in the Harmon Flash.

At present this organization has nineteen (19) airmen enrolled in the University of Maryland classes. Of this nineteen (19) airmen enrolled, thirteen (13) are enrolled in English I class which is being conducted at the site.

One-half day a week has been set aside for High School and College level GED testing, which is also being conducted at Table Mountain. By having this function at the site, it has increased the desire of more airmen to further his education.

Some two hundred (200) various USAFI courses have been obtained from the base and are on hand at this site for immediate dissemination to all personnel. Additional paper work has been prepared and forwarded to USAFI at Madison, Wisconsin, for more courses pertinent to various technical jobs at the site.

A new Bell & Howell 16mm projector was obtained from the base training office for the purpose of showing educational, training and informational films. This projector was obtained on loan basis with an option of renewing same.

Medics:

T/Sgt. Connie W Thompson has, as always, done an outstanding job in operating the dispensary at this squadron.

Direction Center:

During the month of July the Operations Section participated in Operation Checkpoint. Checkpoint was the first major ADX in which we were able to use the AN/CPS-6B and the facilities of the new Operations building. No major problems were encountered. This ADDC and its EW-GCI station at St. Anthony carried seventeen ADX tracks from one to six aircraft at altitudes ranging from 10000 to 38000 feet. Seventeen scrambles were ordered on ADX tracks, six of them elements of two aircraft. This ADDC completed six intercepts, missed one due to fade, missed one due to fighter abort, and broke off one attempt because of lack of a suitable recovery base. The remainder of the tactical action was taken by adjacent ADDC’s. During Checkpoint the normal ADDC mission was accomplished without incident. Slight adjustments were made in personnel schedules to insure that two Directors would be on duty at all times and that crews were sufficiently well manned to cover any excessive track load.

During the first week of August an intensive 15-J-1C Target Simulator program was started. Crews are required to use the simulator two hours per shift, and Directors are required to complete eight intercepts per shift, excepting the day shift when during which they must complete five. The requirements apply to each Director and may be met with either simulated intercepts or actual intercepts. Problems are set up using multiple unknowns and simultaneous control of more than one interceptor.

In August a squadron school on AC&W Operations was established. All crews were required to attend. All phases of AC&W Operations were covered and an intensive simulator phase was included. The course was terminated with two written tests on material covered in the course.

In the latter part of August the Communications Section installed a small speaker and a small commercially built amplifier at the primary Directors scope position in the Operations Room. This installation was initially intended for monitoring GCI Common UHF, however, it subsequently proved to be valuable for monitoring two or three channels (in addition to normal monitoring done at the squadron receiver site) when the tactical situation dictates, and the amplifier makes the reception of extremely weak signals. Aircraft have been clearly read when possible over Goose Bay. In an emergency it can function as a PA System without transmitting.

Three chart aids of a series have been completed for use at the Directors position. Two of these are consolidations of F-89 Radius of Action charts furnished by the 61^st Fighter and the third is a chart presentation of recovery fuel requirements for the F-89. These charts make possible rapid and accurate determination of possible tactical action against unknowns, and simplify recovery planning.

During the first week of September a monthly analysis of individual Director performance was started. This analysis covers two basic areas of performance: one, tactical action initiated against unknowns; and two, results of intercepts specifically attempted against unknowns. Through the discussion of the analysis at the first weekly Directors meeting each month, weaknesses are brought out, trends upwards or downwards are noted, and corrective action can be made. The analysis also simplifies the Operations Officers and Chief Directors evaluation of individual Director’s performance.

On September a two-way intercom system was installed on the Operations Control Dias for direct contact with Harmon Approach Control. This intercom has proven valuable in the execution of our secondary mission, navigational assistance, and in coordinating outbound and inbound fighter traffic with Approach Control.

A new monitor panel was installed at the squadron Receiver Site and placed in operation during September. This panel contains channels of UHF and VHF in groups to provide a more effective system for monitoring. Provisions are included for instantaneously answering all calls to "Enrage" either by the Directors on duty, or, in the event they are controlling aircraft, by the monitor. A simplified intercom connects the monitors position directly to the Directors position in the Operations room.

A/1C Grover C Whaley, Control Technician, designed a chart that shows the degree of training of Operations personnel. This chart shows which personnel are trained and which personnel are being trained for Movements-Identification, Air Surveillance Supervisor, and Control Technician positions.

During the reporting period men from this organization were sent PCS to the 920^th AC&W Squadron, APO 677 and 641^st AC&W Squadron, APO 677. These transfers coupled with the Early Release Program, lowered the skill level in the Operations Section. This skill level is presently being raised and should be back to normal after APT tests are given in November of this year.

Communications:

Despite a serious shortage of trained personnel, the Radio Maintenance Section was adjudged "one of the best in NEAC" by the inspection team from 64^th Air Division (Defense). The three Radio Repairmen assigned have had to conduct On-the-Job Training for three Radio Operators who are cross training as Radio repairmen, and maintain the equipment as well. One Radar Repairman is also being trained as a Radio Repairman. Though using, in the most part, inexperienced personnel the Radio Maintenance Section has performed Preventative Maintenance and repairs on some two hundred and seventy-eight pieces of equipment assigned to this section and kept it in operating condition with no serious outages.

The section has also made numerous operational outages in equipment which necessitated man man-hours of overtime. Such an operational change is the installation of a Radio Air-to-Ground monitor position in a separate room in the Radio Receiver building. This system incorporates a speaker and a modulation light for each UHF-VHF channel monitored by this station, and enables the monitor to tell at a glance which channel has a call. A patch panel enables the monitor to inform any aircraft pilot calling this station of any delay in contacting the Director on duty. An intercom direct to the Operations Black Room enables the monitor to inform the Director on duty that an aircraft is trying to establish contact on a certain channel. The system cuts the time required to establish air-to-ground contact to a minimum.

An intercom system direct to Ground Control Approach on Ernest Harmon Air Force Base was installed.

A B-2 Sig-Tot circuit was installed to AACS at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base. The installation of this circuit allows the transmission and reception of classified messages over non-approved circuits, since messages are automatically encoded as they are sent through the machine and are automatically decided as they are received without the use of Crypto cleared personnel.

The Crypto Center received a "No Discrepancy" report in a survey conducted by Headquarters, Security Service, and A/1C Billy J Holt, AIC, was commended as one of the outstanding Cryptographers in NEAC.

Radio Receivers was given no discrepancies by either the Inspecting Team from 64^th Air Division (Defense) or the Inspecting Team from Headquarters, NEAC.

The AN/FRT-504 installation was completed but final acceptance has not been made.

Losses in personnel during this period: A/1C Robert H Cosner, A/1C Norman Baets, S/Sgt. Edgar Noel, A/2C Joseph Quebbeman, and A/2C Marco J Consiglio and A/2C Lloyd B Martin who were returned to Radar Maintenance for assignment to bases further north. Gained during this period were S/Sgt. Forrest A Burkhardt and A/3C Liston R Burns.

Personnel of the squadron have bought a small building to be used as an Amateur Radio Station. Extensive remodelling of the building is in progress. During this period one airman received his amateur license, bringing to five the total number of licensed operators at this site.

Electronics:

The following changes in personnel occurred during the reporting period: Lt. Kushnor assigned as Radar Maintenance Officer, Lt. Jankowski assigned as Assistant Radar Maintenance Officer, S/Sgt. Howard Grant transferred, S/Sgt. Edward Vaseka transferred, A/1C Diaz, A/2C Gonci, A/2C Tidwell transferred, S/Sgt. Liebert discharged, A/2C Ellis reassigned and A/2C Jones assigned. Mr. Mueller assigned as Philco Tech Instructor.

The video from the backup radar was remoted into the new Ops building enabling the equipment to be operated in the same room with the plotting board and communications channels. The back up IFF was also remoted to the Ops building.

The EW kit was installed. The installation was performed by Canadian General Electric.

The TPS-502 was installed by Canadian General Electric. This is the permanent backup height finding equipment.

Plexiglas covers were installed on azimuth drive motor and the amplidyne to facilitate visual checks of the condition of the brushes.

OJT continues at a satisfactory rate commensurate with the work load and the assigned personnel. Mr. Mueller has taken over direction of the OJT program in the section and it is felt that very satisfactory progress has been made during this period. Five airmen in the section were upgraded to a five level as a result of the training program and successful completion of the proficiency tests.

The supply situation on spare parts for the prime equipment has improved considerably since the last reporting period. It is felt that supplies are now flowing in at a rate to enable satisfactory operation of the prime equipment. Spare parts have been received for the EW kit and the TPS-502, however, it remains to be seen whether or not these have arrived in sufficient amount to properly maintain the equipment.

Due to the work load and insufficient amount of personnel in the section, a policy of utilizing three shifts working 12 hours on and twelve hours off with a three day break every six days was initiated in the section. It is felt that this is the only practical solution to the problem of having sufficient personnel on duty at any time to safely and properly perform the required maintenance on the equipment.

Metal racks were received through supply channels to replace the locally constructed wooden bins previously used to store major spares and test equipment. This has enhanced the appearance of the maintenance room and the tower considerably.

The wind screen on the back up search suffered severe damage from hurricane Edna but has been repaired by the Case AIO section and presently is in good condition with the exception of the guy wires which were considerably loosened as a result of subsequent high winds.

The section was inspected by the Air Inspectors from 64^th Air Division during the period and found to be in good condition. Two minor details which were written up by the team have been corrected.

Mr. Jack Lewis was replace by Mr. Tom Perry as Marconi representative for the section.

A revised filing system was initiated in the section to facilitate the location of pertinent information. A majority of pertinent information is now filed in the maintenance room instead of in the operations office as in the past.

Plexiglas covers were installed in all the stalo units to enable the maintenance men to observe the position of the limit switches without removing the metal covers which were initially installed in the units. This saves considerable time especially when quick tune ups are in order to insure minimum amount of time used for peaking during periods when operation drops below optimum.

Two airmen in the section were promoted to A/1C (Trussell and Garten). The EW installation was not entirely completed due to non availability of antennas in the command for the IFF. Delivery of these items is not contemplated until after the first of the year.

A telephone system has been installed permitting communications from all scattered position where radar equipment is installed.

Test jacks were installed in all scope power supplies to facilitate voltage checks without danger of shorting across hot voltage terminals which were serious obstacles in the past.

Supply:

Incoming personnel: S/Sgt. Wheatly, 20 Aug 54 and A1/C Heatly, 20 Aug 54. Outgoing personnel: A/1C Parent, 1 Sep 54 and A/1C Lee, 15 Aug 54.

A weapons storage room was constructed in the unit supply warehouse, but not completed for all items such as lock racks for pistols, machine guns or private weapons.

Racks for carbines, rifles and BAR’s were completed. Also during this period, weapons were assigned each individual al and weapons were cleaned by the individual.

During this period the 64^th AD (D) Air Inspectors visited this squadron for the semi-annual inspection. Numerous discrepancies were noted and most of the month of October has been spent correcting the discrepancies.

The Supply Inspector audited the old UPREAL’s and closed them out as soon as a few minor discrepancies were corrected by Reports of Survey. A large amount of excess property has been turned in to BASO during this period. This is one of the priority projects of the Supply Section.

All Sections have completed a physical inventory of all equipment on hand and have made custody receipts on some and are being posted to supply records for locations and accountable purpose.

The work copy of the new UAL was received and checked for discrepancies. Changes were made for new equipment needed and forewarned with the corrected copy of the UAL to NEAC HQ. A new supply accounting procedure was established during this period, which gives the squadron all responsibility of accounting for property in use by the squadron. The form used for this purpose is AF 1120. These cards were typed, and property on plant account and UPREAL transferred to them during this period.

The AF Form 1120 completely replaces the UPREAL and plant account. All property on hand in this squadron has been tagged to denote serviceability or otherwise. All discrepancies noted by the Air Inspectors have been corrected or they are in the process of being corrected.

All in all, Supply shows a vast amount of improvement since the last cycle.

Transportation:

There were no changes in personnel within this section during the past three (3) months.

A permanent fire guard was stationed in the building on 15 Sep 54. He is not a member of the section. Two men, A/3C Theodore and A/2C Feinsod, were recommended for promotion. They were to meet the October promotion board. A/1C Cobbs was promoted to S/Sgt. in August. A/3C Scott received a change in duty AFSC from 27330 to 60330 on Oct 20. There was a physical inventory taken of all equipment and vehicles. This ended on Oct 22.

Vehicle mileage was reduced from 5909 miles in Aug to 4890 miles in Sep. During the last three (3) month period, there was only one reportable accident which happened in the Harmon AFB gasoline drum area. The crane hook ripped through the canvas near the rear and also broke a bow. There were no casualties.

Vehicles received weekly and 60 day preventative maintenance services as scheduled. The vehicle status board and dispatch board were combined and modified.

Plans were drawn to close in one 2 ½ ton and one ¾ ton truck for Supply, mail and passenger runs to Harmon during the winter months.

Rear section of building was given to Allied Construction Company Mechanics. All vehicles were dispatched according to proper procedures.

Food Service:

During the reporting period, many noticeable improvements were made in the Dining Hall. Every action has been taken to make the Dining Hall more convenient and more attractive.

The kitchen was completely repainted and new curtains were installed in the Dining Hall. All the tables were also repainted. The previous unsightly appearance of the immediate area surrounding the Dining Hall was corrected by hauling away rocks and planting grass.

During the reporting period the Food Service Section was inspected by the 64^th Air Division and NEAC Air Inspectors. Their reports reflected satisfactory conditions.

2^nd Lt. Jackie L Loudermilk replaced WOJG George W Stephey as Food Service Officer. Other changes in personnel are as follows: Losses – S/Sgt. John R Jones and A/1C Donald White. Gains – A/3C Albert L Swearington.

For the Commander:

Joseph B McGinty, Jr.
2^nd Lt, USAF
Adjutant