Goose Bay, Labrador

641^st AC&W Squadron
APO 677, New York, NY

Delbert R Smyth, Major, USAF

AN/CPS-6B Prime Radar, AN/FPS-502 back-up Search Radar, AN/GPX-6 Radar Identification, 10 Cummins Diesel Generators, 8 AN/GRC-27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRT-3 Single Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel Receivers, 5 AN/FRT-502 VHF Transmitters, 11 AF/URG-60 VHF Receivers.

Operations:

Operation "Sky Shield", a combined NORAD-SAC exercise, was held in September. The principal part played by the 641^st ACWRON was in passing local track information to higher headquarters. During the period of this report, the NORAD/CONAD Combat Operations Center achieved complete operational status and assumed operational control of the NORAD/CONAD region. The NORAD/CONAD COC is physically located in the Operations Room of the 641^st ACWRON. For the three months represented by the period of this report, the 641^st ACWRON conducted the following training schedules:

(see the matrix at the end of this report)

The intercept rate during this period was .9425 or 94 percent.

C&E Performance and Maintenance:

The AN/TPS-502 height finder was dismantled and turned in to Squadron Supply. The 502 tower was dismantled in preparation for a new tower to house the AN/FPS-6 height finder. Structural work on the new tower was completed by September. Work was halted at this point because of the unavailability of wall and insulation material.

Command assistance was requested for procurement of spare gears for the AN/UPA-35 scopes. These gears have been on an RNFP order for eight (8) months.

Modification kits were received and installed on the Selective Identification Feature to provide SIF code read-outs on the AN/UPA-35 scopes.

A Canadian Marconi Company team of technicians performed a complete overhaul of all our air-to-ground radio equipment. The team did not provide a solution to the problem of abnormal space propagation.

A communications emergency caused by a damaged distribution cable forced the movement of all receiver equipment from the remote receiver site to the transmitter building. The forced move resulted in superior management capability and will remain in effect. The damaged cable, a 404 pair conductor, caused an outage time of two hours per circuit before re-routes could be accomplished. A rearranged Goose Air Defense Communications Center located in the 641^st ACWRON handled over nine thousand wire messages in September. Logs from a year previous indicate an increase of thirty times the traffic of September 1959. A Special Commander’s Briefing Circuit was established for the Commander of Goose Air Defense Sector. This circuit connects the GADS Commander to the 640^th and 641^st ACWRONs for special conference features.

Supply:

Eight commercial vehicles were requisitioned under the SUNEC program. These vehicles are intended as replacements for the presently authorized M Series vehicles.

Civil Engineering:

The Preventative Maintenance Program consumed a total of $8,000 in material and services during this period. Work Order Requests totalling $3,500 were approved for minor improvement projects. In preparation for winter travel between Goose Air Base and this squadron, a specially constructed and heated passenger compartment was built for use on two and a half ton truck beds. The passenger unit is removable.

Motor Pool:

Drivers of the 641^st ACWRON have totalled 209,389 miles of road travel without a reportable accident. Total number of days without a road accident amount to 785. Motor Pool statistics for this period are as follows:

(see the matrix at the end of this report)

Food Service:

Winter rations in the amount of 350,000 pounds were moved from docks at Goose Air Base to the food service warehouse and cold storage in August.

A new stove and a stainless steel reach-in refrigerator were received and installed in August.

Special Services:

A winter bowling league was established in September when remodelling was completed on the squadron bowling alley. A squadron team will represent the 641^st ACWRON in the Goose Air Base Bowling Winter Tournament. The Squadron’s AFRS equipment was overhauled in September. Approximately 12,000 records are now available to the AFRS Station.

Distinguished Visitors During July, August and September:

(see the matrix at the end of this report)

Delbert R Smyth, Major, USAF