Stephenville, NF

Orderly Room:

During this reporting period our section received one additional airman. Airman Third Class Leroy E Willet, a 70230, arrived here in early August. We still need personnel in the AFSC’s of 70270, 70150, and 72170 in order to keep our Training and Information Programs going. At present it is necessary to "rob" personnel from other sections in order to keep these programs in progress.

Slowly but surely work is progressing on the NCO Open Mess Annex. The item most desired is – "More co-operation from the parent NCO Open Mess, at Ernest Harmon AFB". It is now in the near stage of completion and is being used for squadron parties.

It looks like the NCO’s and Airmen will be waiting for another three years for the completion of the ball diamond (which incidentally would make a good helicopter pad), and the small arms firing range. The ball diamond is approximately fifty percent completed, and the small arms firing range approximately thirty percent completed. All of a sudden, all heavy equipment (AIO) was pulled out of the squadron, with no prospect of the return of same. (What happened?)

Medical Section:

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 size. The most common medical problems with which we are confronted are upper respiratory infections. Others are common colds, minor injuries, and skin disorders.

Four patients required hospitalization during this period. Of these, one was an Anxiety Reaction, one was Tension Headaches, and one each Hernia and Cellulitis.

At the present time there are three Medical Personnel assigned to this section. One 90250 and two 90270’s. During the period covered, one 90250 rotated and one 90270S and one 90250 were assigned to this section. The projected losses for the next 90-day period is one 90270S rotating for discharge.

Daily sick call is held in the morning so that patients who are referred to our support base hospital will arrive there in time to attend their scheduled sick call. This section is kept open during normal duty hours, and after duty hours a Medic is on "Stand By" and may be located by telephone in case of emergency.

It is the opinion of the Medical Staff of this unit that the Medical Service Program is working very well, regarding our mission within the unit and to the Air Force as a whole. The Medical Services of this unit is offering immediate service to all personnel under semi-isolated conditions.

Air Police Section:

During the month of July an alert was called in which the Air Police participated by posting sentries at the TX, RX, Power Plant and Main Gate. There were also two "Cocked Pistol" alerts during the month of September in which the Air Police Section furnished guards for Operations.

During this quarter the Air Police Section has received eight new AP’s which increased our strength 65 percent. T/Sgt. Ivy A Gonzales arrived and assumed duties as Provost Sergeant. For the first time in two years the Air Police Section is up to strength.

During this quarter the section has initiated 20 Security Clearances on new personnel reporting to the Squadron.

Monthly Security Indoctrinations were held on very good standards. We were thoroughly indoctrinated and oriented with, AFR 205-15, and AFR 205-30. Mr. Stackhouse from OSI was a guest speaker for the August session.

OJT classes were held for all personnel with the purpose in mind of familiarizing all personnel with the different jobs in the Air Police Section.

One promotion was received for this promotion cycle. A/1C Thurman McDaniels joined the NCO ranks.

Operations:

During this reporting period there has been a moderate turnover of personnel. Gains were five 27350’s and one 27330. Losses were five 27350’s, one 27330, two 1644’s and one 6141, all due to rotation to the ZI.

The following promotions were received for this cycle: One S/Sgt., five A/1C’s and five A/2C’s.

During this period a total of 11,079 tracks were carried by this station and 21,149 flight plans were received for this complex. There were 836 unknowns, 69 scrambles, 20 attempted intercepts and 18 successful intercepts.

Director Activity for the period was slightly increased due to the summer weather conditions. A total of 4,025 aircraft were directed, 1804 – 90 degree beam and ID intercepts accomplished, 916 GCI/GCA approaches and 656 Navigational Assists were handled. A total of seven actual ECM intercepts were handled.

Exercises for the period were Humming Bird, Curve Ball, and three Dry Runs. Candy Bar was implemented two times and a total of five Jamming Missions were run against this station.

Training accomplished for the three month period was the completion of a Balloon Pump type program on 64^th ADDM 55-2. Two weather films were received and shown. A team of one officer and two airmen spent two weeks in the Ops Room coordinating and evaluating AC&W activities. Director’s ECM training and testing has been accomplished. New Director Qualification tests have been devised and presented. All but four airmen have received and completed the following training: six hours Weather, six hours Squadron SOP'’, three hours Control Procedures, three hours Surveillance Procedures, three hours Movements and Identification Procedures, 15 actual speed checks and six hours on 64t^h AD Regulations and SOP’s. On the average, one hour per man was spent on ECM. All Control personnel have participated in an average of 15 GCI/GCA’s, Navaids and GCI Intercepts. Cross training of personnel with the ADCC is in progress with six officers and four airmen being exchanged so far.

The following improvements were made during this period: Operations SOP’s were revised with 17 getting the rebuild treatment and three new ones being accomplished; new joint Ascent and Recovery Procedures with RAPCON-GCA has improved the local recovery of intercept aircraft; a primary fire alert bell system has been installed in the Operations Building; flight plan strips were put into operational use. A flight board was made and broken into zones according to traffic load. This system slightly increased the workload of the Movements and ID Section, but effectiveness and efficiency gains greatly overbalanced this factor.

Electronics Section:

The following personnel rotated to the ZI in this quarter: 1^st Lt. AM Kushner, 3044, and 1^st Lt. PA Jankowski, also a 3044. 2^nd Lt. EK Chapman arrived as their replacement. At the end of the quarter the overall status of this section showed eighteen airmen, and one Technical Sergeant as supervisor. Lt. Chapman is the Electronics Officer. The section is under strength as shown in the comparison of personnel assigned to personnel authorized.

The new training program is based upon 64^th AD Manual 52-1 that was placed into operation during the last quarter is still being utilized. As a result, the training has been satisfactory and all airmen except one have completed their formal 30352 training and have been awarded a 30352 PAFSC. Three A/1C’s are on informal 30372 training.

During the latter part of the previous quarter, Mr. Hautamski of Canadian Marconi spent three weeks on our prime equipment. The effects of the fine job done on our transmitters, receivers, stalos, preamps and IF Strips is still being felt and has eliminated any major problems with the above mentioned equipment during this reporting period.

A great deal of trouble has been encountered with our prime radar antenna system. The problems encountered are too numerous to mention, however, the major difficulties and the action taken are as follows: Severe hunting of antenna and overheating of quadrature brushes on the amplidyne were traced to a defective noise suppresser, Z-1676. Hunting and loss of antenna speed control after 4 RPM was due to oil on the tachometer, B-1323. A faulty oil seal was allowing an oil leakage which necessitated cleaning of the Azimuth Drive Motor outer casing and the tachometer daily to prevent further accumulation of oil and erratic operation. The clutch assembly, bearing and oil seal were replaced. The Antenna Control Unit has undergone a complete overhaul and at the present time the antenna will rotate at the desired speed and there is no measurable amount of oil leakage. Quite a lot of experience was gained by our personnel, however, as everyone in the field knows, working on the prime antenna system is a hard way to gain experience.

Our three radomes have been painted this quarter, and several patches put the radomes on good condition.

Our Early Warning Search Radar has been inoperative the greater part of this period. A complete overhaul has been accomplished and upon receipt of a new thyratron tube reliable operation can be expected. The Back-up Height and Search equipment has undergone quite a lot of major maintenance and as a result has given very satisfactory operation the last three months.

At the present time the maintenance personnel are in the process of overhauling all indicators. No major difficulties are being experienced and it is expected that the job will be completed by the time the annual overhaul team arrives and the maintenance personnel will be able to assist the team in performing the overhaul.

Several priority requisitions were submitted this quarter. Very good supply action has been responsible for the very small amount of outage time due to the lack of spare parts. Emphasis is still being placed on acquainting the section personnel with supply procedures such as drawing of parts, requisitioning and classification of same and follow up action on parts ordered. As a result the section has become quite adept to Tech Supply procedures.

Extensive training was given to operations personnel this quarter on the following: simplified radar theory, characteristics of primary and back-up radars, proper scope presentation and discussion of radar peculiarities. Training was also given to Quality Control and ECM Procedures to the maintenance and operations personnel.

Communications:

This quarter saw the Communications lose some of their personnel while gaining others. The Wire Maintenance Section lost two men, A/2C Bailey and A/3C Kramer. In return we received A/3C Blunt, 36132 directly out of Tech School. The Radio Maintenance Section made a gain of four new 30433B’s, A/2C Lynch, A/2C Pinto, A/3C Hail and A/3C Medwatz. M/Sgt. Sobala transferred to the 641s^t AC&W Squadron. The Comm. Center received three 29150’s from Ernest Harmon, A/2C Philman, A/3C Hogan and A/3C Stephens. Losses in the Comm. Center were one rotation, A/2C Rosson. The Radio Operations Section made a large gain this period with six new arrivals, while losing two; one for rotation and retirement, and one to Ernest Harmon AFB, to work in the BARS Station. M/Sgt. Callison finally made his twenty years and is now up for retirement. New arrivals in the Radio Operations were six new 29330’s. The Crypto Center has finally received a 29270, T/Sgt. Albert Mosley. This completes our roundup on personnel during this period.

Promotions during this quarter consisted of three men being promoted to the grade of A/1C.

The Comm. Center had little change in the type of duty normally performed during Operation Curve Ball. Teletype circuits were installed between this station, Thule, Chatham and St. Huberts. These circuits were used to pass aircraft information, while we were operating as ADCC during Operation Curve Ball. These circuits were installed by our wire and teletype maintenance sections and the operation was a success.

In the past three months, the Radio Maintenance picture has greatly improved. Since the beginning of this period the power distribution has improved to a point of near perfection. The power failures which were common in July and August have declined from 3 hours and 45 minutes, to 10 minutes for September. Power variations have been kept to a minimum. The possible reason for this is a Marconi Diesel Engineer being stationed here recently.

The amount of equipment failures have decreased also, the Preventative Maintenance program being the reason. The 43 card system has been working very well. We actually schedule our equipment maintenance instead of it scheduling us. At present we are in a very good position as far as UHF equipment is concerned, with only one piece of UHF equipment down and parts on order for this.

Precautions were taken to prevent possible cable trouble between the transmitter site, receiver site and the main frame in operations. Nine spare pairs of lines were wired from the TX patch panels, and the RX patch panels to the main frame. When a primary pair of lines become bad a coordinated patching at all points puts a new cable on the radio channels. During the summer months comparatively little trouble is encountered on cables, but as weather and temperature vary, cables sweat and absorb moisture, causing noisy and troublesome cables. The plan for these spare lines has already been put into effect and has proven valuable.

One of the major problems has been obtaining enough 6J4 tubes to keep ahead of the demand. The UHF equipment uses about 100 of these vacuum tubes in both multi and single channel equipment. The equipment operates the tube beyond its limits and the tube becomes weak after about a month of operations. Although Tech Supply has 50 of these tubes on order, Base Supply has none on stock. To help the overall problem a UR was submitted. On several occasions the AACS Squadron on Harmon supplied us with enough 6J4’s to keep all of the equipment in operation.

Action has been initiated by letter to 64^th AD (D) to dismantle the LF tower at this site in order to prevent further damage to this facility during the coming winter months.

The radio monitor position in the operations building has been put into a standby basis only. Monitoring is done with a four channel amplifier in the Ops Room, and in the event this piece of equipment fails, Radio Operators are then called upon to assume monitoring responsibilities in the monitor room. At present, Radio Operators are being utilized in the Communications Center as teletype operators due to a shortage in this section.

Tech Supply:

During the month of July, a complete inventory was conducted by this section. This followed a move to make room for the Squadron’s NCO Club.

This section had two promotions during the quarter. Airman Clifford J Howell was promoted to A/1C and Airman Irby Parish was promoted to A/2C.

Our receipt of requested items of materiel has greatly improved over the last quarter. This we attribute to our follow up system which keeps the support base posted on our outstanding items which are due out to us over a period of 90 days.

Unit Supply:

2^nd Lt. Edward P Merkle arrived this station in July and assumed responsibility of Supply Officer.

A complete inventory of squadron property was conducted in July prior to transferring of the account. By use of the droppage allowance and inventory adjustment voucher, all balances on the 1120 property record cards were achieved with no shortages in evidence.

A/3C James Knight was transferred from the Orderly Room to Unit Supply as a clerk typist. Needless to say, Airman Knight has been a great help to both Unit and Tech Supply.

Unit Supply relieved the training section of the task of assigning weapons to squadron personnel. Under the new system, supply is responsible for the storage, assignment and issuing of weapons, the AP section is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of weapons.

From 5 to 9 September, Lt. Merkle and Sgt. Juszczak were TDY to Pepperrell AFB to discuss the forthcoming division of the UAL into the AF and Canadian UAL’s. This division came about as a result of more emphasis put on the "Buy Canada" program. In addition to visiting NEAC, a short visit was made to the Materiel Section of the 64^th AD (D) and the 642^nd’s Supply Section.

S/Sgt. Elias, 641^st AC&W’s Supply Sergeant, visited our supply section, reviewing our files, procedures and overall organization.

T/Sgt. Juszczak rotated to the ZI in September, leaving behind an opening in the organization that will be hard to fill. Sgt. Juszczak, by his intense desire to make this supply section the very best, instilled in all who worked with him the desire to accomplish the same, by burning many gallons of midnight oil.

An important development in July, which will have more bearing on supply as time goes by, was the arrival of a new Base Supply Officer and also Property Accounting Officer at Harmon AFB. Both of these men have the interests of the organization at heart, and are taking giant strides in reorganizing Base Supply so it can give the Supply Sections the support they need.

AIO:

During this quarter the following projects were completed or started on by AIO personnel: the winter supply of fuel oil was pumped from the dock side POL tanks to the upper POL tank; the push button control wires between the upper POL pump house and the dock site POL pump house were removed; floors in the BAQ’s were sanded and refinished; power and heating plants were cleaned and repainted; combination type storm sashes were installed on the BAQ’s; crypto and monitor rooms were sound proofed with acoustical tile; site roads were resurfaced and graded in July; additional conduits were installed in hillside road to move excessive water off the hillside and under the road, instead of the water cutting its own channels in the road; Diesel generator units were checked for defective camshafts, and replacement parts were ordered; site water supply tank was cleaned and checked by site maintenance men; contractors erected five feet poles for 4160 volt power line to RX and TX, hoping that this will relieve most of the difficulty experienced in previous years to icing and wind storms; chlorinator broke down several times, and temporary repairs were effected while awaiting new parts. A major problem facing maintenance personnel is securing adequate supply support. Parts needed are not available at Base Supply, requisitions are lost or misplaced. Meanwhile, makeshift arrangements are put into effect to tide things over. To remedy this situation, a 90 day stock level is being set up by AIO supply for items needed by the site.

Food Service:

During the past quarter this section has had a considerable turnover of personnel. Four men were shipped north and two rotated to the ZI. A/3C Leonard received his second stripe.

An audit was just completed of this section’s accounts in reference to safeguarding and disposition of funds collected from the sale of meals. The accounts were found to be in good condition.

Many improvements were seen during the past three months. Plastic bowls, a new mixer, glasses and cups were received at last. These aided greatly in the preparation of meals and are greatly appreciated.

James C Sigler
Captain, USAF
Historian