Stephenville, Labrador

640^th ACWRON
APO 864, New York, NY

Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel

Radio Telephone – 1 each 611 Telephone Plant, 12 each M-19 Teletype Machines, 1 each M-28 Teletype Machines, Quantity GRC-27 A/G UHF Radio, Classified GRT-3 A/G UHF Radio, Classified FRT-502 A/G VHF Radio Transmitter, Classified VRG-60 VHF Radio Receiver, Classified BC-610 HF Point to Point.
Radar – 1 each AN/CPS-6B Primary Range and Height, 1 each AN/FPS-502 Back up Search, 1 each AN/TPS-502 Back up Height, 1 each AN/GPX-6A SIF, 1 each AN/GPA-30 Video Map, 1 each AN/GPS-T2A Trainer, 1 each AN/UPS-T5 15-J-1C, 1 each Target Simulator.

The three month period 1 July through 30 September was a busy one for the 640^th AC&W Squadron.

We are proud to welcome Lt. Colonel Charles E Hall (Commander) and Major Herbert A Ford (Operations Officer) to this station. They arrived in August.

We were honored to have as visitors Major General Dale O Smith, Commander 64^th Air Division, Brigadier General Curtis R Lowe, Deputy Chief of Staff NORAD and Colonel Victor Milner, Commander Goose Bay Air Defense Sector. During his visit General Smith inspected all sections and presented a very gratifying talk to all personnel.

Project Shape-Up was put into effect at this station at the beginning of the summer months. This program has beautified the area in many ways. For example, we now have fresh green grass growing outside all buildings. Secondly, we have a few trees planted here and there throughout the squadron, which is rather unusual for this location. A very appropriate sign at the main gate is a newcomer’s first welcome to Stephenville Air Force Station. These and many other activities have had a positive effect upon all sections, and in return has contributed highly to individual morale. Some of these items are elaborated upon as follows:

Operations:

During the reporting period, live and simulated exercises were conducted with a high rate of success. 184 intercepts were attempted, and 177 were successful. Average: 96.25%. 38 STM’s were scheduled and 22 were actually conducted. The section was able to maintain 100% plus personnel.

Several physical changes have been completed. Some of these areas follows: The interior of the Operations Building has been repainted. The Debriefing Room has been renovated and plexiglass boards have been installed for debriefing and pre-briefing of missions. The plotting board has been repainted in accordance with current directives.

Plans for future improvement include partitioning of the Operations Office, installing panelling of the hallways, repainting of the scope room using a less fatiguing color scheme, and the complete rebuilding of the Senior Director’s dias.

Personnel:

During this reporting period 4 officers arrived for assignment to the unit and 5 rotated to CONUS. In the enlisted category 19 reported to the squadron and 21 were processed for rotation. The squadron was fully manned strength wise.

There were no serious manning problems except for the unfilled UMD vacancy of a Recreational Specialist. There was no critical shortages of personnel in any specific duty section.

There were no mal-assignments and classification problems were of a routine nature.

New personnel were generally 5 level and exceptionally well trained in AC&W work.

Equipment Performance:

Communications and Electronics – During the reporting period Prime equipment or back-up equipment has been operating at all times. The primary search radar received a total of 730 hours maintenance time, 630 of which was made during normal operation of the equipment (green card time). Ninety two hours were made while the equipment was taken out of operation on a preventative maintenance basis (red card time). The remaining 8 hours were during actual breakdown of the equipment (RCCM time).

Back up search received 275 hours total (all green card time), and the height finding equipment received 190 hours (green card) and 2 hours (red card) time.

One each VHF and UHF radio sets were shipped on a temporary loan to 926^th AC&W at Frobisher.

New equipment programmed for installation includes the AN/FPS-20 Search Radar and the AN/FPS-6 Height Finder. Construction of the AN/FPS-6 Tower was started and the steel work has been completed.

Unit Supply:

This section submitted 588 requisitions and turn-ins to Harmon Base Supply during the period 30 June through 30 September. The shortages of personnel is still the only Supply problem. The section ended the period with three (3) people short. We are now in the process of moving Tech Supply to the FPS-20 Tower. The FPS-20 Radar spares are being binned and located. 84B cards are being made up for the 1400 line items for the FPS-20.

During this period electronic support from Goose Air Base and supply from Harmon Air Force Base has been excellent.

In addition to the above items several other accomplishments have added much to the morale and community relations. Food Service, a prime morale builder has received a new touch. The new milk dispensing machine keeps the milk at just the right temperature. Salads are now served in individual portions and a new salad and dessert bar has been installed. These and other improvements serve to increase the rate of service. Many accomplishments are mentioned to the mess supervisor every day.

Six (6) members of the 640^th AC&W Squadron Softball team were chosen to represent the 64^th Air Division in the Air Defense Command Softball Tournament at Selfridge AFB, Michigan. The tem played four (4) games winning two (2) and loosing two (2). These victories were a big first for the 64^th Air Division. The team standing ended up in 4^th place out of eight (8) teams, not at all bad for a team that had never played together.

Members of the 640^th AC&W Squadron who participated in the event are as follows: S/Sgt. Victor G Fuller (manager), A/1C John R Rickus (catcher), A/1C John M Danko Jr. (right field), A/1C James J Condron (short stop), A/1C James H Franklin (first base) and A/2C Donald E James (pitcher).

Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF