Beausejour, MB

1959 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Report
916th AC&W Squadron
1 October 1959 to 31 December 1959

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

916th Squadron (ADC) Beausejour Air Station
18 miles NE of Beausejour, Man., Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Alvin Israel, Major
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. During the period of this report the 916th Squadron is operationally responsible to the 31st Air Division, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. It is logistically responsible to Detachment #1, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (ADCR 24-10)
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • N/A
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • During the period of this report the following applies: (Attachment 12 to 31st CONADR 24-1). The 916th Squadron will operate and maintain a Direction Center, (except when reported as a surveillance station under CADF 55-24), part of the integrated air defense system of the 31st Air Division (Defense) for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within the area of responsibility assigned, and to conduct training required for the effective accomplishment of this mission.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    12

    142

    18

    172

    		  
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		  
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    AN/FPS-3C (1); AN/FPS-502 (1); AN/TPS-502 (1); AN/GPS-T2 (1); AN/UPS-T5 (1).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

     

    Operations:

    During this period transition of the squadron to operation under Grand Forks ADS was accomplished without difficulty, however, the new mode of operation reduced the number of practice intercepts available during December to an all time low. As a result, director intercept proficiency fell off toward the end of the period. All directors assigned to the 916th Squadron took and passed written examinations covering all phases of operations.

    Equipment Performance:

    During this period, the circuits have been completed and checked for the installation of overlap telling circuits between this station and Duluth ADS and Grand Forks ADS. These will be receive only teletype circuits. At present, these circuits are not operational due to the non-availability of teletype machines at this station.

    Facilities:

    The squadron dining hall was improved by the addition of ceramic tile to all walls of the kitchen.

    Medical:

    During this period numerous visits to the medical facilities of this unit were made by Dr. Robert Southworth, MD, Captain, Division Surgeon and Dr. Melcher, 1st Lt., Veterinarian from Grand Forks. Sick call for military and dependants was held by the Surgeon. Lt. Colonel Bavee, Veterinarian from Headquarters (ADC) visited this section and site 4 December 1959. Major MS Verplank, Veterinarian from 4602nd Support Wing, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada also visited this site. All personnel mentioned above found sanitary conditions on the site to be excellent.

    Community Relations:

    During the month of December two major efforts were made to familiarize local officials and news media with the functions of the squadron. (a) On 11 December, a dinner was held at the squadron which was attended by representatives of all local news media (newspapers, radio and television stations). (b) On 18 December, another dinner was held which was attended by local government officials. Mayors of surrounding communities were invited, as well as representatives of the Manitoba Government. (c) At both of the above functions, guests were divided into small groups and escorted over the squadron area to view operations and support functions. At the first dinner, Major Israel, the Squadron Commander spoke on the place of the squadron in Air Defense, and at the second, Colonel McGhee, Commander of the Grand Forks ADS, spoke on the structure and function of NORAD.

    During the period, the ISO function of the squadron was organized to provide a weekly flow of information on squadron activities to local news media. In December, all issues of the Beausejour Beaver contained at least one article on the squadron.

    Morale:

    During the first part of this report, morale at this unit remained high. With the passing of the fall season, in which personnel took advantage of the natural recreational facilities provided by the surrounding forests, the personnel are currently enjoying the numerous activities offered through the winter months.

    Prepared By: Robert A Mitchell, Captain, USAF

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    A Israel, Major, USAF

    Signature