640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (NEAC)
The Squadron History
October 1955 to December 1955
640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (NEAC)
Ernest Harmon Air Force Base
Subject: Historical Report, RCS: 1-AF-D2A (64-1)
To: Commander,
64th Air Division (Defense)
Pepperrell Air Force Base
General
During this reporting period Lt. Robert S Hansen replaced Lt. Joseph B McGinty, Jr. as squadron adjutant. Lt. McGinty rotated to the ZI.
A regular Mess Sergeant, T/Sgt. Edwin Navey, has arrived and assumed duties. Prior to Sergeant Naveys arrival this squadron was without a regular Food Service Supervisor.
Administration
Orderly Room:
During this reporting period, T/Sgt. Fred Harris departed this squadron for his new assignment in the ZI. M/Sgt. John L Ingram took over duties as First Sergeant and has accomplished them in an outstanding manner.
The efficiency of the Administrative Section remains high and is continuing to improve as the personnel gain experience. No outstanding problems have been encountered as yet, but we are in need of a regular adjutant, rather than being forced to use an officer from one of the other sections for this important function.
The morale of the squadron is very good. A/1C Cabell of this section was recently selected as Airman-of-the-Month for December, of which he was richly deserving.
Medical Section:
Transmitted herewith is the Medical Historical Report for the period of 1 October 1955 to 31 December 1955. (a) The health of this unit is satisfactory. Everyday medical problems with which we are confronted are similar to any other unit of this type and site. (b) There were two (2) accidents requiring hospitalization during this period. (c) The most common problems with which we are confronted are upper respiratory infections. During this reporting period there were two patients hospitalized with acute tonsillitis, one case of bronchitis, and one serum (Penicillin) reaction case. All patients were hospitalized at Ernest Harmon AFB. Other common problems which arise are: Common colds, minor injuries and skin disorders. (d) The relationship of this unit and the medical personnel is good. The unit gives us all the co-operation possible.
Medical Organization The primary purpose of this dispensary is to give medical support to this unit by rendering medical treatment on an outpatient basis, or if necessary, hospitalize and treat as a bed patient any personnel for a period, not to exceed four (4) days. Personnel who require longer treatment are evacuated to the USAF Hospital at Ernest Harmon AFB.
Replacements At the present there are three medical personnel assigned to this section. One 90270 and two 90250s with rank of T/Sgt., S/Sgt., and A/1C respectively. Rotation dates will not affect this section until May 1956.
Professional Services - (a) Outpatient Care Daily Sick Call is held in the morning so that patients who are referred to our support base hospital will arrive at that installation in time to attend the scheduled sick call. However, this dispensary is kept open during normal duty hours and persons desiring treatment or advice may report here at any time during this period. After normal duty hours, the dispensary is closed, and a medic is on "Stand By" for that night and may be located by telephone, or by checking the front door of the dispensary to see who is on duty and his room number. (b) Drugs and Supplies Drugs and supplies are maintained in significant and sufficient quantities, on a two-week stock level. The stock is replenished every two weeks by requisitioning from Medical Supply, Ernest Harmon AFB.
Dental Services Dental service for this organization is performed by the Dental Clinic, EHAFB. Personnel desiring dental treatment must report in person to the Dental Clinic to make an appointment. Emergency dental service is performed without an appointment.
Veterinary Services The veterinary and sanitary inspections of foods and food products are conducted by the EHAFB Veterinary Staff.
Summary and Conclusion It is the opinion of the Medical Staff of this unit that the Medical Service Program is working very well, regarding our mission in this unit and to the Air Force. The Medical Service of this unit is offering immediate service to all personnel of this unit under semi-isolated conditions.
Air Police Section:
During this reporting period two (2) airmen were awarded the 5 level AFSCs. Both airmen were recommended for promotion to Airman First Class.
In accordance with Ernest Harmon AFB Regulation 50-10 and NEAC Regulation 50-1, the monthly security indoctrination class was held in October with eighty-five (75%) percent squadron attendance.
In November the monthly security indoctrination was held with fifty (50%) percent squadron attendance.
On November 21, a 110 knot wind forced the sentry to evacuate the gate house. A six-by-six truck was utilized until the next afternoon when a new door was placed on the gate house. The sentry house has now been winterized. A floodlight was also installed on top of the gate house to aid the sentry in the checking of privately owned vehicles and the backs of trucks.
During this period the section loaned two men to other sections short of personnel. These were the Communications Section and the Food Service Section. Two airmen of this section were promoted to the grade of Airman First Class.
Training:
During this reporting period Captain James C Sigler replaced Lt. Robert S Hansen as Training and I&E Officer. Lt. Hansen assumed the duties of Squadron Adjutant.
The new 64th AD General Training program is now in effect in this squadron.
A 100% OJT program of airmen eligible is now in operation.
Special Services:
During this reporting period A/3C James BriaBois arrived at this station and was assigned to Special Services duties. This greatly lightened the work-load of the Training Section which is responsible for Special Services. Airman BriaBois has had previous experience in this field and has proven himself competent.
This organization will have an entry in the 64th Air Division Annual Basketball Tournament to be held at Pepperrell Air Force Base.
Operations
Direction Center (ADDC):
During the reporting period there has been a moderate turnover of personnel. At present this section has nine (9) 1644s, three (3) 1641s, five (5) 27370s, twenty (20) 27350s, and twenty-seven (27) 27330s.
Personnel losses for the reporting period were three (3) 1644s PCS to 641st AC&W Squadron, four (4) 1644s for separation or reassignment to the ZI, eight (8) 27350s and one (1) 27330 rotated to the ZI, and one (1) 1641 to duty as Squadron Adjutant.
Personnel gains for the reporting period were two (2) 1644s Special Duty from 61st FIS, (Primary AFSC 1564), one (1) 1641 Special Duty from 61st FIS (Primary AFSC 1564), two (2) 1564s from 61st FIS and ten (10) 27330s PCS from the ZI.
The following promotions were made this period:
|
To First Lieutenant |
2 |
|
To Technical Sergeant |
3 |
|
To Airman First Class |
2 |
|
To Airman Second Class |
7 |
Captain James C Sigler, who was assigned to this section during the last reporting period, has replaced Captain William O Symth as ADDC Chief.
Exercise Cracker Jack was experienced by this station during the reporting period.
During this period, the Direction Center has had a great number of refuelling missions and Keystone track activity.
In the past three months this Direction Center has had sixteen (16) assists to aircraft; nine (9) of the definite emergency type assistance.
The new OJT program which was incorporated during the last period, has proven very satisfactory and is a definite asset to the proficiency and training of personnel in this section.
All Direction Center status and plotting boards have been re-done in paint instead of grease pencil which helps in cleaning of the boards and increased the data readability.
An Intercept Pre-Plot Board for assists to the Director has been constructed and a training program is underway to train personnel for this position.
A three hour training program was conducted during this reporting period for all Operations personnel. Topics covered were:
|
a |
Radar Theory |
|
b |
Characteristics of primary and back-up radars |
|
c |
Proper scope presentation and operation |
|
d |
Discussion of radar peculiarities |
Intelligence With the return of A/3C Zuleog (20450) from the 61st FIS, an Intelligence briefing program has been initiated. This gives each crew a briefing every twelve (12) days. We are awaiting receipt of materials from Ernest Harmon AFB at present, for the construction of a War Room in the back-up tower.
Electronics:
Personnel The following personnel rotated to the ZI this quarter:
|
1 |
1st Lt. AG Scarpace |
(3044) |
|
2 |
T/Sgt. BL Blair |
(30372) |
The following men were assigned to the section:
|
1 |
Carter |
4 |
Longwell |
|
2 |
Coleman |
5 |
Shackley |
|
3 |
Crockett |
6 |
Maher |
The overall status of the section at the end of this quarter showed twenty-five (25) airmen just out of school and one Technical Sergeant as supervisor. Lt. Kushner and Lt. Jankewski remain as Electronics Officer and Assistant respectively.
Training A new training program based on the 64th AD Manual 52-1 was drawn up and placed into operation. However, in November, the Philco Contract Technician, Mr. WL Leonard was transferred to AACS with the termination of Philco support to AC&W sites. With the transfer of Mr. Leonard absolutely no progress has been made with the training program due to the absence of a qualified instructor. As only one Marconi Radar Site Engineer was on hand in December, the workload was too great to permit any useful training to be accomplished. As a result the training of all new personnel has fallen behind. Effort has been made to secure a new instructor, either through Marconi or by temporary loan from Philco.
Maintenance Routine:
|
1 |
The Marconi Depot Overhaul Team reached the site on the first of November for the annual overhaul. With the aid of some excellent test equipment, an excellent and complete overhaul was given all equipment. The final peaking gave results comparable to the originally installed equipment. |
|
2 |
A great deal of training was accomplished by having section personnel work as closely as possible with overhaul. The experience gained has proven invaluable in the past weeks. |
|
3 |
With the arrival of the Marconi team, approximately 60% of the test equipment was in need of maintenance. Under AF Regulations, all maintenance is to be done by Marconi Depot which would mean shipping a goodly percentage of the equipment to St. Johns. To maintain the greatest amount of equipment on operating status it was decided to have one man become acquainted with test equipment maintenance. For this reason one man was assigned to work with Marconi specialists and will visit the depot for additional training. |
|
4 |
The IFF was completed overhauled increasing its dependability by some 200%. |
Problems
|
a |
This quarter has seen more unusual maintenance problems than any other since the installation of the prime radar. In addition the unusual amount of time off the air has resulted from the lack of experienced personnel, lack of a good instructor, age of equipment, and the normal aftermath of any overhaul. |
|
b |
An unusual trouble appeared in Modulator B. It became quite unstable and the set began dropping out of radiate after shorter and shorter periods of time. The trouble was traced to resisters in the grid circuits of the thyratrons which would change value with temperature. |
|
c |
Marconi Depot was called in this past month to correct antenna difficulties experienced here. Severe hunting with apparent binding was coupled to initial main "bull gear" wear. The trouble was traced to the electrical system, the gears honed and the set returned to operations. |
Supply No priority requisitions were submitted this quarter. A pressurizing unit which has been on requisition since June was received. This was the only priority carried by this section. Emphasis was placed this quarter on acquainting section personnel with supply procedures. As a result the section has become quite adept at drawing parts from Tech Supply with a minimum of delay.
Outside Training Twelve hours of training was given to Operations personnel this quarter on the following: Simplified radar theory, characteristics of primary and back-up radar, proper scope presentation, and a discussion of radar peculiarities. A brief familiarization course was given to two new controllers. Some ten (10) guided tours were given to visiting SAC personnel and 61st FIS personnel on cross-training.
Communications:
A new Monitor Table was constructed by Base AIO according to plans and specifications drawn by the NCOIC Wire Maintenance. This desk helped immensely. It is actually a desk shaped table and is constructed of plywood and plexiglass, has individual speakers, and channel lights indicating for each channel in front of the monitor. Cabinets with plexiglass tops and doors on each side of the desk were designed to hold recording machines.
The MARS Transmitter, a BC-610, has been in use at the Radio Transmitter Building throughout this period, as back-up to the DND 800 line (Net 12). One (1) unsatisfactory report (UR) was submitted and favorably considered by Rome AFB. This UR provided that C-612 be relocated to prevent arcing.
AFTO Forms 43, 43A, and 43B were placed in use by Maintenance Section during this quarter.
The Wire Maintenance Section rewired the fire telephone system on the site so that when the switchboard operator rings 17 all phones associated with fire calls are rung at one time. Fire phones in the Fire Department, Air Police Section, Operations Building, Orderly Room and Medical Section now ring simultaneously when 17 is called. The fire phones in these sections are painted red and are not used for any purpose except fire calls.
The Wire Maintenance O/P built three (3) phone booths and installed them along the site access road. These booths afforded some shelter to personnel stranded on the road.
The winds and ice encountered in this quarter presented almost insurmountable problems to the Communications Section. Power lines were lost to the Receiver Building when three poles were broken down and cross arms were broken off all poles for a distance of one-half mile. The Receiver Site was inaccessible for two days due to wind and snow drifts. Cables to SOS telephone on the site access road were buried by snow drifts and were cut by the D-8 Cat as it was clearing the road. One LF antenna tower was lost during the storm of 12 December.
Material
Tech Supply
Personnel -
|
a |
A/2C Harris, 64150, rotated to the ZI this period. |
|
b |
A/3C White, 64141, was assigned to Tech Supply from Unit Supply. |
|
c |
S/Sgt. Armstrong, 64150, was assigned to the section in December. |
|
d |
In view of the loss of A/2C Hagerman during the coming month of February, the only experienced Tech Supply man left, A/2C Howell has been working in the section to assist in technical matters. The arrangement has worked out quite well. |
Training Informal training in Tech Supply procedures was conducted continuously throughout the quarter by Airman Hagerman.
General
|
a |
Not one priority requisition was submitted by the squadron in this three month period. In addition only one requisition submitted in June of this year was carried on the books. This requisition was recently cancelled as the item was received from the Marconi Depot. |
|
b |
To facilitate the drawing of parts during the annual overhaul, the following steps were taken: (1)All depot personnel were briefed on Tech Supply procedures. (2) Radar Maintenance men were allowed to draw parts from Tech Supply on their own after 1700 hours. (3) All supplies were accounted for on separate receipts, tabulated and posted as due in from Canadian Marconi. |
|
c |
It was noticed that Radar Maintenance personnel required a great deal of parts after hours even after the overhaul people had left. To reduce the possibility of mistakes occurring, one man per shift was assigned as supply specialist and given briefing on proper procedure. One key to Tech Supply is now being left in the Radar Maintenance Section. |
|
d |
A complete inventory of all items was completed. |
|
e |
Every stock record card was checked for correct stock number and expendability. |
|
f |
Stock request sheets were drawn up to facilitate the various sections drawing parts and enable them to keep a record of these items which were not on hand and are being ordered. |
|
g |
The overall parts situation has improved greatly. NE-611 parts have begun to come in, electron tubes are plentiful, and 16PT seems to be undergoing a good replenishment cycle. However, one item is being overlooked and that is the Sheldon Pressurizing System. No spares are available, nor does it look as if any will be immediately available. This equipment has been in operation for at least a year. It is hoped that action will soon be taken to obtain the necessary parts. |
|
h |
A 100 CFM and 1000 CFM blower missing for two years has been found in one of the BASO warehouses at Ernest Harmon AFB. The items will be stored in Tech Supply at this site as authorized. |
|
I |
Sufficient parts to repair all the headsets, MF-12, have been received. All headsets will be overhauled by Marconi on-site personnel. |
Unit Supply:
During this reporting period eleven (11) of the Unit Supply Custody Receipt Accounts changed hands due to rotation of officer personnel.
A follow-up on squadron requisitions at Base Supply was conducted in December with disappointing results. A very large percentage of items requested had not been requisitioned by BASO from the depot. A report of this situation has been forwarded through channels.
Lack of transportation has hindered the operation of this section greatly. The lack of trucks has resulted in our falling behind in turning in excess and repairable property.
Transportation:
No events of historical value have occurred in this period from the Transportation Section.
The seven (7) general purpose vehicles were driven a total of 9,975 miles. Gasoline used totalled 1,876 gallons, and oil, 70 quarts.
Food Service:
As noted in the General Section of this report, T/Sgt. Edwin Navey has assumed duties as Food Service Supervisor.
New personnel assigned to the section are: A/1C Eugene Thornton, 62250; A/3C Irby O Parrish, 62230; and A/3C Charley Pierce, 62010.
We now have two (2) men working on loan from other sections. Two (2) other men, previously on loan to us, were returned to their sections.
A/1C John Huhn of this section was rotated to the ZI during this reporting period.
Difficulties in the heating system have necessitated major repairs in the dining hall. This work must be postponed, however, due to adverse weather.
For the Commander:
Robert S Hansen
1st Lt., USAF
Adjutant