Resolution Island, NWT

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
920th AC&W Squadron
Resolution Island, NWT
1 April 1960 to 30 June 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

920th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Resolution Island AF Station, NWT, Canada

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Luther W Feagin, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Goose Air Defense Sector, APO 677, Goose Air Base, Labrador
    64th Air Division (Defense), Stewart Air Force Base, Newburg, New York
    Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado
    Headquarters USAF, Washington 25, DC.

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • None

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • The mission of the 920th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron is to conduct air defense operations within that area assigned by Headquarters, 64th Air Division (Defense) and function as a surveillance station in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    116

    27

    149

     
     

    Attached

    1

    15

    11

    27

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Primary equipment: AN/FPS-3(C) –1– Primary Search; Mark X (SIF) AN/GPX-7A –1.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations – C&E

    The authorized manning strength for this section has remained at par except for an unfilled Operations Officer’s position which existed during August and September. Two locally constructed operations consoles were installed in the surveillance room which replaced the less suitable tables. The surveillance room, break room and office were completed repainted. Also in the surveillance room, a direct reading wind speed indicator was installed and a more efficient arrangement of the communications control boxes was incorporated. These changes considerably improved this sections effectiveness during the latter part of this quarter.

    Two C&E facility improvements were completed during July. The STP equipment was locally overhauled and rearranged, including a complete new cabling of the major components. The radio maintenance personnel completed transfer of all communications equipment, repair outfit and supplies to an unused radar tower. The move was made without disruption of the communications services. The ship-to-shore facility and amateur radio station also were installed in this tower. This move provided a consolidated radio communications center and ice free antennas located under the tower’s radome.

    A complete re-cabling of the closed circuit speaker broadcasting system was begun during August. A special control panel was installed in the WORM broadcasting studio, so that records, tapes, local interviews and short-wave broadcasts could be integrated into the studio activities. The studio rooms also were completely redesigned and redecorated.

    A mobile maintenance team replaced the two main drive gear of the primary radar antenna and another team completely painted the radome during August. All of the C&E offices and maintenance shops were completely repainting during this month. Also Mr. Edward Matthews, Philco Representative, replaced the former Site Engineer.

    The month of September witnessed a complete overhaul of the radio communications equipment by a Depot Overhaul Team. A depot teletype specialist overhauled and rearranged the teletypewriters into a more effective operating system.

    The Communications Center handled 1304 teletype messages and 502 long distance telephone calls during this quarter.

    The C&E Section ended this quarter short four radar technicians, two communication center operators and one teletype technician, however the radio maintenance unit is fully manned.

    Facilities:

    During the month of July 1960 approximately 3200 empty oil and gas drums were stacked on the beach area awaiting disposition. The installation of speed limit signs and road markers for location of the road during the winter months was completed. Also during the month of July, diesel fuel was pumped from the beach to lower camp tank to allow maximum off loading from tanker ship to the beach tanks.

    During the month of August 1960, a shed was built to protect the gasoline pump adjacent to the motor pool. In interior of the theater was painted.

    During the month of September 1960, the Ric-Wil line was inspected and repaired as necessary for the coming winter season. A new 300 KVA transformer was installed and checked out. A separate welding shop was set up within the Motor Pool to improve repair capability. The Canadian Marconi Diesel Team completed overhaul of six of the prime power units.

    Personnel and Administration:

    The retention rate for the quarter averaged approximately 75% and the majority of personnel separating were airmen in the lower three grades. The average unit strength for the quarter was 10 officers and 124 airmen. This includes personnel of the 1933rd AACS Squadron attached to this squadron. The personnel section screened all personnel reports during the reporting period, and new AF Form 4 and AF Form 10 were accomplished. The administrative section screened all correspondence files in compliance with ADC Project Paper Screen. New files were established in all sections. Publications and forms also were screened and all obsolete and unauthorized forms have been removed for disposition. A new set of squadron regulations have been published after thorough screening of previous regulations revealed numerous discrepancies.

    Supply and Transportation:

    During the month of July 1960, Project "Clean-Up" was launched and all areas were cleaned up or decidedly improved. Project "SnoTime" was started during the month of July and most of the required parts have been ordered to put snow removal and snow travelling vehicles in a ready condition. During the month of August 1960, this squadron initiated seven priority 2’s, seven priority 7’s and 27 priority 12’s.

    During August 1960, the following USAF SUNEC cargo was received by vessel: (see matrix at end of this section)

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Luther W Feagin, Major, USAF

    Signature

     

    SUNEC Cargo

    Vessel

    Type

    Weight

    Blue Trader

    Subsistence

    41.5

    Farrandoc

    POL and General

    57.4

    Artic Trader

    POL

    2800

    Gannet

    Subsistence

    328