Resolution Island, NWT

A
History
of the
920^th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
N-30

1 July 1956 - 30 September 1956

Prepared for the Historical Office
64^th Air Division (Defense)

Robert J Batty, S/Sgt., USAF, Historian
George D Oetting, 1st Lt., USAF, Historical Officer
Roy W Van Rope, Major, USAF, Commander

The primary mission of the 920^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is to provide surveillance of assigned area of responsibility.

The secondary mission of the 920^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is to provide navigational assistance for friendly aircraft lost or in distress within the Squadron’s radar or communication coverage.

During the reporting period, 1 July 1956 through 30 September 1956, the Orderly Room Section was busy with regular activities. The personnel strength of this section remained at the same level on an overall basis. However, during the reporting period the section lost one Personnel Specialist (73251) and gained one Administrative Supervisor (70270) and one Apprentice Personnel Specialist (73231).

As a whole, the Squadron maintained its equilibrium personnel wise. Due to rotation, the Squadron lost 31 Airmen and 2 Officers. The officers lost included the Squadron Commander and one officer that was assigned to the squadron TDY from the 59^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron on a cross-training program. Replacements during this same period consisted of 32 Airmen and 2 Officers. The two officer replacements consisted of a new Supply Officer and a new Squadron Commander. Airman vacancies were filled in all sections.

A breakdown of the unit manning strength as of the last day of each month for the period is represented in the following table:

The following figures show officers and airmen present for duty as of the last day of each month for the period:

On an overall basis for the reporting period, the Squadron had an average strength of 7.0 for the officers and 121.0 for the airmen, making the total average strength for the Squadron 128. The average strength of the Squadron as indicated by those present for duty during the period was 6.0 for officers and 94.0 for the airmen, which, on this basis, makes the actual average strength of the Squadron 100.0.

In August of this period, there existed a backlog of approximately 23 personnel awaiting transportation to this station. This situation prevailed for approximately two to three weeks. As of the end of September there was an additional backlog of approximately 14 individuals whom, at the time of this writing, have been backlogged from two weeks to nineteen days.

Generally, transportation has been hindered throughout the period by poor weather conditions consisting mostly of fog and high winds. The aforementioned backlogs are considered a direct result of these conditions. Helicopter transportation to this station consisted of 15 trips throughout the period, 13 trips by a single helicopter and 2 trips by two helicopters. By this, Resolution was serviced by 17 helicopters during the period.

During July, mail arrived at the Island only twice, the 4^th of July and the 21^st of July.

It was in this same month that the airstrip was used quite often for softball games, with one section of the Squadron competing against another. This is worthy of mention as it is the only time of the Arctic year that personnel of this squadron have any extent of freedom outside for softball or other sports of this type due to the extreme weather conditions familiar to this climate.

The Base Exchange suffered a shortage of many essential items during July; such items as hand soap, Clorox, show polish, and some popular brands of cigarettes were unavailable.

During the month of August the Annual Air Force Aid Society Drive was conducted by the Squadron. Collections totalled $200.00. This, with a squadron strength of 125 officers and airmen, was considered as excellent by the Squadron Commander.

Lack of transportation during this same month resulted in a shortage of postage stamps, as the Mail Clerk from Frobisher was unable to visit this site. As a direct result of this, Squadron personnel were advised that personal mail could be sent COD under the provisions of paragraph 30, of Air Force Manual (AFM) 182-3.

The Chaplain, Lt. Grissome, from Frobisher Bay visited the site during August. He conducted services and held personal conference periods. The Chaplain brought with him a small supply of postage stamps, mainly Air Mail and three cent stamps, which somewhat alleviated the shortage existing at that time.

September brought better weather and the supply boats. Personnel of the Squadron were obliged to perform extra fatigue details unloading and storing supplies for the coming year. Supply boats which stopped at Frobisher enroute to Resolution Island helped to transport some of the personnel to the site during the interim periods when air transportation was unavailable.

The Squadron Commander, George A Middleton, Major, USAF, departed this station on 7 September 1956 for reassignment within the Zone of Interior (ZI). Captain Lloyd E Nordyke assumed Command of the Squadron pending the arrival of a new Commanding Officer.

The Squadron Adjutant, Lt. Oetting, departed Resolution TDY for a Hobby Shop Supervisors meeting at Pepperrell Air Force Base.

On the 28^th of September 1956, Major Roy W Van Rope arrived at the Island and assumed command as the new Squadron Commander. Lt. Oetting, the Adjutant, returned from TDY on the same date.

With the end of September also came the end of the shipping season, with but one shipment of General Cargo, BX supplies, and subsistence still to arrive at the site.

During the month of July 1956, normal activities were conducted in Operations. The Surveillance Section completed 60 simulated intercepts and directed 153 aircraft.

The 15-J-1C was operational through the entire month.

Two hours of Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) Training was conducted on 9 July 1956 by the Radar Maintenance Supervisor. Subject material was obtained from Air Training Command, Staff Officer ECM Familiarization Textbook, dated May 1955.

The intercommunications set-up in Surveillance was revised and improved. Detailed block diagrams have been prepared by the wire maintenance section for future operational planning and increased maintenance efficiency.

In August the Surveillance Section completed 47 simulated intercepts, directed 133 aircraft, and ran 6 actual ECM.

The 15-J-1C was operational for the entire month.

Three hours of ECM Training were conducted during this month by the Operations Officer.

Several "Dirty Dan" Missions were conducted against this station in August. Inoperative equipment and an over all low degree of effectiveness on the part of "Dirty Dan" hindered extensive ECM Training of unit personnel.

In September normal activities continued as the Surveillance Section directed 89 aircraft, completed 20 simulated intercepts, and ran 3 actual ECM.

The 15-J-1C was operational during the entire month, with the exception of 25 minutes due to power failure on the 21^st of September.

One hour of ECM Training was conducted by the Operations Officer during this same month.

A great deal of navigational assistance and weather advisory were passed during the same period.

The 3^rd of July saw the beginning of work on the restoration of telephone service to the beach and also to the upper camp contractor’s quarters. During the shipping season this line proved invaluable in permitting telephone contact from the site proper to the beach. The entire line has been inspected and where ever possible it was removed from the ground so that it will be above the snow during the winter months. All terminals were reinforced and the completed repair work should eliminate many of the troubles encountered throughout the past winter.

In August the Communications overhaul team arrived to inspect and perform preventative maintenance on all equipment. A teletype maintenance team is due to arrive in the near future. It is planned that this team will complete an inspection and thus insure efficient operation of all Communications equipment.

The radio maintenance section checked and assembled all parts of the tape recorder received for this stations Squawk Box system. It is expected that this will be of great value to all members of the 920^th through its use as a medium for re-broadcasting current stateside news, something that is not too readily accessible at Resolution.

A 15 meter Beam antenna was ordered late in August through the Squadron Unit Fund Council for use in the Amateur Radio Station. This will broaden the scope of phone patch service available for the Squadron; through a special hook-up, personnel at Frobisher Bay have been able to contact the states through this unit’s Amateur Radio.

Personnel strength during this period has fluctuated to a certain extent resulting in 12 hour shifts in the Communications Center for a short period. If the personnel allocations for the coming month arrive, the Communications Center will be able to maintain a routine schedule. Through the medium of cross-training, radio operators have been utilized on the switchboard to help alleviate the Communications Sections personnel shortage.

During the month of July several items of interest occurred.

First of all, magnetrons of both upper and lower beams of the AN/FPS-3 primary search set were changed. Double moding of both beams had caused increased intelligence and decreased reception. Changing of the magnetrons corrected the situation.

All plan 12 PPI scopes were dismantled, inspected and overhauled. Major replacements were three Cathode Ray Tubes and four Retainer Rings of the gear driving mechanism for the Yoke assembly. All scopes were cleaned, lubricated and aligned.

The AN/FPS-502 backup search set Automatic Frequency Control and the Moving Targets Indicator Units were thoroughly checked out. Both units are now in excellent condition.

The 15-J-1C Programming Units were thoroughly reconditioned. All parts and equipment spares needed were placed on order.

Red time was encountered on the AN/FPS-502 back-up search set. The trouble was found to be a shorted coupling capacitor, C-4301, in the Trigger Amplifier Chassis.

On 7 September 1956 low quality controls and intermittent interference necessitated thirty (30) minutes Red Time. Trouble was found to be the lower beam Pre Transmit Receive Tube.

Technical power failure resulted in twenty-five (25) minutes Red Time on all electrode-electronic gear on 21 September 1956.

The radome pressurizing system has been the main OJT subject. This was stressed in view of the oncoming winter season and the many emergencies which arise from the high winds and heavy icing of the radomes.

The Canadian Marconi Overhaul Team arrived at Resolution on 14 August 1956. The team arrived in the harbor at 1100 hours and were fully off-loaded at 1700 hours. Off-loading was accomplished through the means of an "N" boat operated by the Contractors Bell Telephone and TDK Rooney. During the off-loading very foul weather persisted consisting of high winds, snow, and zero visibility.

The main problem that the team was confronted with was that of supplies. Supplies ordered by the team that visited the site in 1955 had not arrived at St. John’s before the team left for this station. Only 50 percent of the supplies were on hand to accompany the team and those consisted mostly of non-vital parts. This problem was increased due to the fact that this was the fifth site that the team visited and therefore the quantity of supplies was naturally depleted somewhat.

While here the team "top overhauled" all communications and radar equipment, checked all antenna installations, and all components and test equipment were checked and set up according to manufacturer’s specifications.

The team departed this station on 28 August 1956. Their departure was delayed due to extremely foul weather.

Also during this same time period a painting crew arrived and repainted both the inside and the outside of the radomes. The painting crew arrived on 4 August 1956 and took four hours to off-load. The off-loading was accomplished with the aid of an 18 foot long-boat. There were no lights available for use in this off-loading so it was necessary for the long-boat to dodge numerous icebergs in the bay between the ship and shore aided only by insufficient light provided by three land bound vehicles. The off-loading took from 2400 hours until 0400 hours to complete. Although delayed approximately one week due to lack of transportation the painting crew departed this station on 22 August 1956.

On the 19^th of July, 1^st. Lt. Carlisle E Moore, PAFSC 6424, was assigned to this station as the new Supply Officer. Also, two supply men, AFSC 64151, arrived at this station during the month after a two weeks delay at Goose Air Force Base. However their delay proved to be very helpful to the 920^th as they were kept busy requisitioning items critically needed at this site. Many items were placed in traffic by them and have already been replaced.

The NEAC arrived at this site carrying supplies weighing approximately five thousand pounds. During this summer season three hundred and seventy-five long tons of supplies and subsistence arrived at the site by the USNS LST 287 and the Sagitta. Thirty-three and one half tons of vehicular cargo was shipped from the site plus approximately five long tons of General Cargo.

During this period 5514 pounds of supplies and subsistence was received via helicopters and also 3780 pounds of personnel and official mail was received. Fifteen trips were made to this site by helicopter.

The new UAL’s (non-expendable), both the 16-PT (Canadian Marconi supplies and equipment) and Air Force (supplies and equipment) were received at this site during the month of September and they have been checked, revised, and sent in to Wing Materiel Office at Goose Air Force Base.

The annual requirements for fiscal year 1957 have been evaluated for this station and submitted to our logistical support base at Goose.

The supply section personnel have put in many long hours of over-time to receive, process and store all of the supplies that have been shipped here during the summer season.

In the Power Plant the recent addition of two military and one civilian operators has resulted in improved, efficient operation. The September arrivals to this site were three military 56730’s, but due to the return to the ZI of the POL and water pump house operator it was necessary to transfer the A/2C from the Power Plant to the above mentioned water and POL operation.

The Motor Pool has met its obligations with no curtailment of operations in any of its functions in spite of a shortage in personnel.

The shortage of three airmen equipment operators will be more noticeable as the winter season progresses and full commitment of operators curtails the disposal of trash and other essential functions of this section.

The mechanical failure of the pony engine used in starting the diesel engine has rendered one bulldozer inoperative, thus reducing the snow removal equipment to one operative dozer. New equipment included on recently arrived shipment consisted of one rebuilt 2 ½ ton dump truck and a rebuilt Weasel to be used for transportation of personnel.

A heating engineer visited the site during this quarter to review and inspect the problems of malfunction of the condensate pumps. Excessive noise throughout the steam line was a condition that was beyond the ability of the plumber to correct. Air has been entering the steam lines that must occasionally be allowed to escape by release of a check valve recently installed to prevent congestion. It was assumed that this caused the excessive noise.

The heating engineer’s review revealed no design failure in the steam engine. It was stated that the noises in the steam line were caused by individuals requiring heat at various times of the day and night. The flow of steam into the cold piping and radiators results in noisy expansion until the lines area heated and the flow of steam is even and continuous.

It was also suggested that larger poppet valves be installed on condensate pumps as a safety factor. Existing 15 pound valves do not provide the margin of safety required.

A replenishment supply of freon and continued efficient operation and maintenance has maintained a high level of operation in refrigeration. A personnel request has been forwarded for a replacement of the present refrigeration specialist expected to depart this station early in November.

The handling and storage of supplies by the personnel of the maintenance section has seriously curtailed required maintenance and repairs necessary to the upkeep of buildings and equipment. The section presently is not meeting commitments because of the lack of qualified personnel, noticeable particularly in the woodworking field.

The Squadron UMD justifies one building crafts supervisor and one wood worker whose absence has made it necessary to shift duties of maintenance and repair to the fire fighter. Duties of fire fighter include maintenance and repair carpentry of a varied nature that is quite beyond his limited nature and ability. His main job is maintenance and inspection of fire reports and fire prevention equipment, and servicing of aircraft, as well as assisting in the discharging of cargo.

The entire AIO section was involved in the handling, moving and storage of 375 long tons of supplies and equipment and assisting in the loading of equipment on beached vessels for salvage at other ports.

During the July - September period various construction has been taking place on the site. There are four main reasons for this construction. A building is being constructed to house expanding facilities at Pole Vault. An additional equipment building with a connecting corridor is being constructed to house the terminal station point for DEW Line communication. Two paraboloidal reflector type antenna systems are also being erected. An addition of six rooms on "B" level, BQ #2 is also being made to accommodate the anticipated increase of personnel in the near future.

The major difficulty encountered in this construction results from poor equipment. The TDK Rooney Construction Company has found it necessary to use equipment left at this site by a previous construction company. This equipment is in extremely poor condition. About 50% of the equipment used consists of this type. Frequent breakdowns necessitate numerous repairs.

Another problem lies in that of supplies. There are three difficulties that have been noted concerning this problem. The first is getting the supplies to Resolution; second is the problem of getting the supplies from shipboard to shore, and thirdly there is the problem of getting the supplies over the rugged terrain and up to the site proper. Also, off-loading of these supplies presents a very real drain upon construction personnel necessarily needed in other duties. With the coming of the winter months it is expected that snow removal will merely add to these problems. The LCM now used for off-loading is considered by the contractors as too old and worn out to be of much further use.

Personnel wise the contractors have kept a camp level of 80 to 90 men. There has been a minimum turnover of personnel, most of which has been laid to the isolated nature of the site and to climatic conditions.

It has been stated by the contractors that in view of the poor supply and transportation support, that work is progressing, generally, fairly close to schedule. The advance construction party arrived at Resolution on 4 August 1956 and it is anticipated by the contractors that the work will be mostly finished by Christmas of this year.

The Pole Vault installation at Resolution Island, including those facilities to be installed in the forthcoming expansion, consist of two separate installations. The additional equipment working south will be similar to previous Pole Vault sites. The equipment working north however (to be installed) hinges on the same principal but will be of an entirely different design.

Canadian Marconi Company, incidentally, has been obligated for the continuing maintenance of the new equipment that is to be installed.