McAndrew AFB, Newfoundland

Administration

On 12 July 1954 Major Donald W Hobbs completed his overseas tour and relinquished command of the 920^th to Captain Everett C Kidder, Senior Controller.

It was originally planned to send an advance detachment to Site N-30. However, this did not materialize. It is believed, that had its fraternization been possible, it would have been of great assistance to the unit in becoming established upon arrival at Resolution Island, especially from a logistical standpoint.

Change of command of the organization took place again on 2 September when Major Joseph R McNamara replaced Captain Everett C Kidder who had been serving temporarily as commander since the departure of Major Hobbs in July. At this same time 1^st Lt. Eugene F Sorkery replaced 1^st Lt. Raymond G Teeling as Adjutant who returned to the ZI for separation. Also at that time, the major portion of the Administrative Section’s personnel were recent replacements. It is believed that had the replacements been staggered, operations would have been smoother and more efficient. This same situation will occur again in 1955 when almost all personnel assigned to the Administrative Section will rotate approximately the same time (July and August 1955). For any future units preparing to re-deploy it is recommended the Administrative Personnel moving with the unit be assigned three (3) to four (4) months prior to the movement so that they become completely familiar with the organization and will be responsible for the administrative preparation.

New DEROS (Date Eligible for Return from Overseas) were determined prior to our departure, and personnel were forecast for rotation accordingly.

However, it was necessary to keep assigned certain individuals with early rotation dates due to the fact that no replacements were available. Early loss of these personnel may handicap the unit about the time it attains its operational status.

Major McNamara revised the squadron’s organizational structure shortly after assuming command. Section responsibilities were clearly spelled out and new duties peculiar to our location were assigned. Efficient use of unity of command was employed in the organization of the squadron.

Relocation of the squadron made it necessary to establish a Sub-Branch Exchange. The Exchange is the responsibility, as a sub-section, of the Administration Section. This section had one organizational loss which was the transfer of Information Services and Training to Operations Section.

The 920^th departed McAndrew Air Force Base, Newfoundland on 18 September aboard the USS Oberon and the final contingent landed at Site N-30 on 27 September 1954. The complement which made this movement numbered seven (7) officers and ninety-eight (98) airmen.

There were no representatives present from the Support Base to aid the squadron in becoming established upon its arrival at our new location. It is felt that a Liaison Officer who was familiar with administrative matters at the Support Base would have been of great assistance.

The first obstacle to confront administration upon arrival at N-30, was the lack of dependable communications with higher headquarters. Mail service was foreseen to be unreliable as the airstrip was not completed and the landing of amphibious aircraft was dependent upon weather and surface conditions of the water. The only remaining means of communication was radio, operating on a restricted schedule of the Military Affiliate Radio System.

The close of this period found the Administration Section becoming involved in the task of reviewing all the squadron numbered Memorandums and republishing them in the form of Squadron Section Operating Instructions, Squadron Regulations, and Squadron Policies. It was found that many subjects which were not governed by Squadron Directives in the past had to be included, while others peculiar to the former location could be excluded.

The change of the control register for the new fiscal year began this reporting period for the supply section. We endeavored to enlist the other sections in addressing and reducing their materials and equipment to the bare essentials so as to alleviate any last minute problem or turn-in. A complete clothing showroom for the mandatory clothing allowance was completed in accordance with AIL 39-27. All the MGMT –21 , authorized organization clothing, was recalled from the men and completely laundered. Those articles found to be unserviceable were replaced with new ones. After a completed inventory, the clothing records were made current with each man being reissued his full allowance of clean arctic gear. The total authorized allowances were transferred from part II of the UPREAL to the new all accounting form 1120.

During the first week of August we were inspected by the McAndrew Air Inspector who audited UPREAL for the fiscal year 1954 and 1955. This was completed on the 13 of September for voucher number up to and including 9-14-400 with authority for disposition in accordance with paragraph 151, AFM 181-5 and paragraph 8, section d, volume VI, AFM 67-1.

The last of August and the first of September was spent turning in all UPREAL equipment to AF 216850and transferring all of the radar equipment to the naval station at Argentia. Also, all unit fund equipment, day room furniture, publications and squadron records were packed and shipped TAT.

Upon arrival at Resolution Island, on the 25^th of September, and advanced party of twenty-five (25) men accompanied the Supply Section ashore to uncrate and set up enough of the five-hundred (500) tons of equipment and supplies to accommodate the initial contingent of the squadron. The process of unloading and uncrating supplies and equipment was accomplished without injury to any of the assisting personnel.

At the time of writing this report the Supply Section is in the process of inventorying the authorized furniture and stocking the 360 day level of spare parts and expendable supplies.

During July the Transportation Section received three (3) new jeeps and two (2) 6x6 cargo trucks on "Swappo" replacement for vehicles older than World War II. These were of great help to the squadron during its last days at McAndrew Air Force Base.

During the first weeks of August, squadron personnel fired the M-1 carbine for familiarization. After a complete field cleaning and inspection by the armament specialist of the squadron, the authorized weapons and excess ammunition was turned into AF 216850 McAndrew Air Force Base.

Due to lack of personnel the Food Service Section was forced to discontinue its operation late in August. The squadron then had made available to them other messing facilities. The squadron’s mess personnel were among the first ashore here at Resolution and were able to set up the mess hall and feed in a manner that is very commendable.

Commanding Officer, Major Hobbs relinquished command of the squadron on 12 July, with assumption of command by Operations Officer, Captain Everett C Kidder. Duty Controller, Captain BJ Porter moved up to head the Operations Section.

Lash-up operations continued until 2^nd August, at which time, we received authorization from the 64^th AD (D) to limit operations to a "no-tell" standby status. Included in this message was an order to prepare for the unit movement to Resolution Island. The subsequent operational phase out took place on 3 September 1440Z.

Whether equipment turn-in were to go to McAndrew Air Force Base, or to the Argentia Naval Station, Newfoundland was not resolved for a period of three (3) weeks. Final disposal of property occurred when the Argentia Naval Station took over the entire radar.

During the months of July and August at McAndrew the squadron suffered no major difficulties or breakdowns in communications equipment. Preventative maintenance and tube replacements were the only problems encountered.

In the month of July three (3) radio maintenance men attended the Bell Telephone school at Montreal to become familiar with the theory and workings of "Pole Vault" equipment.

On August 20^th, Mr. D Isaacs, Philco Technical Representative, joined the squadron. One of his first activities was to make a complete inventory and check to ascertain what spare parts and miscellaneous equipment would be needed at the new site. It was also at this time that the complete inventory of Communications equipment was taken in preparation for turn-over to the Argentia Naval Station.

In September the communications section was reorganized. Normally, Communications had been under the Communications and Electronics Section. Now, however, the organizational structure shows Communications and Electronics as being divided, with each section being responsible to the Operations Section. Further sub-division of the Communications Section as that of the Radio, Teletype, Wire and Crypto Sections.

The last five days of September were spent at N-30, and most of this time was devoted to general organization. The only communications available was that of an AN/GRC-38 portable van used to communicate from ship-to-shore. This was moved to the site proper and became the primary means of passing administrative traffic. Because of high winds and severe icing conditions in this locality, a great deal of difficulty has arisen in keeping antennas up. A method has been devised to lower our antennas by a system of guys and pulleys when the wind or ice jeopardize the antennas. This satisfactory system will be used in all future building of antennas.

During this report period the prime search radar was on major breakdown for a total of thirty (30) hours and fifty-seven (57) minutes. Twenty-three (23) hours and fifty-one (51) minutes of this time was used in the repair and replacement of the high voltage switch in the modulator unit. Two (2) high voltage switches were received from Pepperrell Air Force Base. The remainder of the break down time was for periods of short duration; repairs were accomplished by squadron personnel using parts on stock.

Winds were only up to forty-five (45) MPH since the installation of the wooden strips on the wind screen. Although this is not considered a sufficient test, the wooden slats remained in good condition.

On 25 August 1954 the prime radar equipment went on standby operation. During this period the equipment was overhauled as much as field conditions permitted. On 2 September 1954 Navy personnel from Argentia Naval Station started on-the-job-training on the prime radar equipment, under the guidance of squadron radar maintenance personnel. On 10 September 1954 the site was accepted by the McAndrew Air Force Base and was subsequently turned over to the Navy of Argentia Naval Station.

On 13 August 1954 the trainer 15-J-1C with the UPA-37 was dismantled, packed, and crated for shipment to N-30.

On 20 August 1954, Mr. J Taniguchi replaced Mr. W Newton as Philco Technical Representative.

Upon the squadron’s arrival at N-30, Lt. J Flood was assigned as OIC of Radar Maintenance which was placed under the Operations Section. The tower section was placed under AIO. At present, the maintenance personnel of the section are being trained on AN/FPS-3 until installation is completed and interim acceptance accomplished.