Memories of McAndrew AFB

Harold Strum

I arrived at McAndrew about the middle of June 1953. My route was from Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss. to Kentucky for a short leave, then to Ft. Dix NJ, on to The Brooklyn Navy Yard to board a merchant vessel "Jose P Valdez", a stop at St. Johns Nfld., then to Argentia.

I really do not remember the mission of the 920th AC&W Squadron at McAndrew AFB. I recall the radar site was to the south or southeast of the base not more than 5 miles up in the hills. We traveled back and forth by truck and I think the trip was less than 30 minutes. It was a rough narrow, steep road. I do not remember any difficulties getting to the site. I recall that in good, clear dry weather we may have traveled in a bus, and in bad weather we travelled to and from the Operations site in a 6X6 with chains. We had the AN/CPS-5 as our search radar equipment and the AN/TPS-10A was used for height finding requirements. We made use of the standard vertical plotting board and tote board. We worked an 8 hour shift and we were operational 24 hours a day. I believe a noon meal was brought to the site and all other meals were taken in the base dining hall.

Our proximity to other radar stations resulted in an overlap in radar coverage. We were not that far from the 108th AC&W Squadron which was located at Red Cliff (St. John's). Other radar squadron such as the 105th AC&W Squadron at Stephenville, the 226th AC&W Squadron at Gander and the 921st AC&W Squadron at St. Anthony all became operational in 1953. Red Cliff was lower on the coast with little ground clutter to the east and northeast. I do remember we picked up traffic well out to 200-225 mile. I recall that we were able to get some really good radar returns from aircraft at that time.

If you cross check the map which shows some of the buildings at McAndrew AFB, the 920th was in Building 109. Our entire Squadron was in the one building. Orderly Room, day room, all offices on 1st floor; all four crews on 2nd floor; supply in the basement. We had cubicles in our barracks. These were open on the aisle side, with 4 double bunks, and foot lockers and a small space to hang clothes. The Chow hall was across the street and the Airman's club was near the PX. The base offered everything one could expect at a military installation. There were clubs, a PX, a gymnasium, a photo lab, and a theater. I learned to develop and print pictures at McAndrew. They also had a lapidary shop since we had all kinds of rock around there. Then there was always the local drink, "Screech" about $2.00 a bottle, and nothing would cut it. We also played a lot of cards, pinochle, poker, bridge, cribbage. There was no TV at the time, just radio and records. I do not remember any organized trips to cities such St. John's - although there might have been some arranged for the USAF personnel. We walked to Placentia and often attended dances at the local Memorial Hall. The local Priest was Fr. Penny - I still remember him, a very nice man.

The weather left a lot to be desired and the fog was really bad. McAndrew was the only place I have ever been where the wind would blow 30 kts and the fog would stand still. I remember one time the temperature got into the low 70s. We had a heat wave and folks were passing out from the heat. There was some snow during the winter months, but not a lot of it.

I departed McAndrew in August 1954, and was sent to Pepperrell AFB, working in the Control Center.