Resolution Island, NWT

Historical Report
(July - September)
1955

920^th AC&W Squadron
N-30

Prepared for the Historical Office 64^th Air Division (Defense)
by 2^nd Lt. Dan P Hampshire

Loss of the Commander and Adjutant during this period without replacements necessitated assigning Officers to these positions out of their career fields. The Supply Officer was appointed Commander and a Controller as Adjutant in lieu of qualified replacements. This, plus the loss of an Apprentice Personnel Specialist, and Apprentice Classification Specialist and a Personnel Specialist has created a serious problem in this Section, bringing the strength down to three clerks.

In July and August movement of personnel and cargo was accomplished regularly. However, in September only three SA-16 type aircraft serviced this station. No backlog of personnel was experienced, however, this infrequency of aircraft has created a Supply and Administration problem, building up at times a backlog of mail and cargo. The L-20 Aircraft which have been in several times have helped to alleviate the movement of personnel but do little to aid in moving backlogged cargo.

The new Unit Manning Document, effective June 1955, was received in July and Squadron Organization Charts were revised accordingly.

The new Personnel Records system, phase II was completed 28 September 1955. The Squadron is awaiting receipt of AF Form 4 to complete the entire changeover.

The following installations have been completed by the Contractor during this reporting period: (1) Distribution Line (2) Dockside Warehouse (3) Ammunition Storage Building (4) Landing Strip (5) Built-up roof (6) Water Pumphouse and supply line (7) Vehicle Storage building drain and sump (8) Heating Plant drain. The new BQ for Pole-Vault personnel is under construction. This unit will have twenty men and should be completed by October 15^th.

The D-8 Caterpillar tractor lost last winter has been recovered with very little damage incurred. The master clutch lining had to be replaced and the casting supporting the radiator had been cracked by the ice. This tractor was running on the second day after it was taken from the lake.

The yearly overhaul on equipment in the heating and refrigeration plant was completed. Our refrigeration equipment required considerable work due to lack of having anyone assigned to this site to maintain same for above period. Our support base furnished a specialist for the overhaul. The fuel tanker departed after being in the harbor for a period of 22 hours. We received 18,000 gallons in 16 hours. A six inch line supported at every twenty-five feet by a set of three fifty-five gallon drums welded together by struts was used from tanker to shore. No leaks occurred during operation as joints were put together using permatex.

During reporting period three survival shacks were constructed between site and water pump house. The following items were placed in each: (1) "C" rations (2) Oil Stove (3) Two beds (4) Blankets (5) Snow Shoes. Also a shack constructed out of excess wall panels was built for use at our lake (unable to complete last four lines of this section due to poor quality print).

On 1 July, the custodian of the Crypto Account was changed to Captain Arthur H Bruhn vice Lt. Porter relieved.

On 8 July 55 a Transmitter and Receiver was readied for ship to shore operation. Primary and secondary Frequencies could be monitored upon request.

11 July 55 deficiencies previously noted on interim acceptance of AGPP equipment was again reviewed by this office and a Marconi representative. Positive action was underway to eliminate these discrepancies.

12 July 55 trouble developed in a GRC 27 unit. Maintenance personnel learned that alignment difficulties had occurred in the driver stages as a result of changing tubes.

On 15 Jul 55 two radio maintenance personnel were placed on TDY for 120 days with the 6631^st Radio Relay Squadron.

On 16 July 55 Captain Richards CSO 64^th Air Division arrived for the purpose of inspecting the Crypto facilities.

On 21 July a Marconi antenna team completed installation of (3) three VHF antennas. This was previously listed as a deficiency on interim acceptance. Mr. LaMay a technical representative of the Canadian government arrived to aid in completing the acceptance of all Radar and Communication equipment. Several deficiencies were noted regarding the LF installation. These deficiencies could not be corrected at this station. In view of this, Mr. LaMay submitted a letter to Pine Tree Office outlining all discrepancies and also recommending changes.

On 29 July 55 a Radio and Radar repair team sponsored by Marconi arrived for complete check and overhaul of all Radar and Communication equipment. This was completed by 13 August 55, with no major discrepancies noted within Communications.

30 July 55, Lt. Porter Assistant Communications Officer departed for ZI and relief from active duty.

8 August 55, Mr. Houghton a Marconi technical representative arrived for duty in Communication section.

From 8 August until present date work load consisted mainly of preparing outside equipment and facilities for winter. All guy wires were strengthened and antennas checked for sturdiness. No major troubles developed and equipment was considered in class A condition.

During the preceding three (3) month period, July, August and September 1955, the Operations Section has undergone a change in a number of key personnel. A new NCOIC of Operations and a new Crew Chief have reported in. These additional personnel have allowed this station to give the men some time off, thus helping morale and raising efficiency.

Early in September, several periods of extreme anomalous propagation were noted. The weather conditions at this time were generally scattered to clear. The winds were moderate (15-30) and the temperature was warmer than usual (50-60). During this period the coast of Labrador was painting as far as two hundred and fifty miles. Normally this coastline is painted to approximately one hundred miles.

Quality control procedures have been initiated at this station, but no accurate information can be obtained as accurate screening angles have not as yet been received from the 6606^th Radar Evaluation Squadron at Goose Air Base. During this period, an instance of unusual pickup was encountered. An RAF Canberra flying at 58,000 feet was carried completely off the plotting board to the south. This is a distance of two hundred and seventy two miles. This was a radar contact (No IFF equipment was carried by these aircraft). These Canberra type aircraft are regularly carried over two hundred and twenty five miles.

A great deal of navigational assistance and weather advisories were passed during this period, due to very high winds and generally poor weather to the south of the station. This station carried an unusual track in mid September. This track was headed in a southeasterly direction and had a ground speed of fifty knots. By sector scanning and up this area, it was noted that this track was composed of several segments. This station is therefore of the opinion this track was a flock of geese or ducks. (There were no known aircraft in the area at the time).

During this period the temperature had ranged from a high of eighty four degrees to a low of twenty degrees. The average for the period running about thirty eight degrees. Several periods of two and three days duration were encountered, when ground fog and sleet cut visibility to a minimum. Highest winds recorded 78 knots.

The detail for this section consisted of about half a page of information. Unfortunately, it was not readable - and therefore, is not available as part of this report.

First paragraph - not available due to poor quality print.

Since the 1^st of August two hours of oral classroom instructions have been held daily for all assigned airmen. Electronic fundamentals and theory of the FPS-3 have been covered. Some form of training was necessary because of the inexperienced assigned airmen, and the above mentioned classes have produced outstanding results. In addition to the above classroom instruction, the Marconi trainer has been covering radar alignment procedures with the airmen. This training has received the support and cooperation of all officers and airmen concerned.

The Marconi overhaul team arrived at the site the first of August. The FPS-3 radar was completely tested and aligned by the overhaul team. All the test equipment was calibrated and checked by the team.

The Marconi radome painting team arrived at the site during the middle of August for the purpose of painting all the radomes for weather protection.

The primary height finder was accepted the first part of August and the back-up search set, with associated IFF equipment was accepted from the contractors during the middle of August.