Goose Bay, Labrador

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
641st AC&W Squadron
Goose Bay, Labrador
1 January 1962 to 31 March 1962

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

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

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Albert D Aberson, Lt. Col., USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 641st AC&W Squadron
    Goose Air Defense Sector
    64th Air Division (Defense)
    Air Defense Command

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • The mission of the 641st AC&W Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within area of assignment as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3, to support the Goose NORAD/CONAD Combat Center area of responsibility as described in NORAD GO Nr. 14 and CONAD GO Nr. 8 dated 13 May 1960, and to function as a Master Direction Center within the Air Defense system.

    Authority: Paragraph 1, Goose Air Defense Sector Regulation 20-2, dated 30 June 1960.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    23

    286

    16

    325

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A – Two channel prime radar, AN/FPS-6A radar height finder, AN/GPX-7 Radar Identification, 10 Cummins Diesel Generators, 8 AN/GRC-27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRT-3 Single Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, URG-60 VHF Receivers.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    A major reconstruction was started in Operations during this reporting period. Both dias have been relocated and rearranged to provide maximum efficiency and effectiveness. A new entrance to both GADS Operations and our operations has been constructed and the new design should limit the traffic flow considerably. Seventeen airmen have been upgraded in the 273X0 career field during this reporting period. Five directors have been upgraded. 632 practice intercepts were made and 701 aircraft were recovered. 6,542 flight plans have been received and processed and 1,192 compulsory reporting tracks were carried. A vigorous training program is constantly being carried on in Operations to assure top proficiency in all assigned personnel.

    Civil Engineering:

    A new Fire Chief, S/Sgt. Smith, arrived during this reporting period. Several overhire carpenters (civilians) have been gained to work in Operations during the rehab program. The Canadian Marconi Company completed an 8,000 hour overhaul on five diesels. Numbers 6-10, in the power plant. A schedule was received from ADCLO (Ottawa) for the forthcoming modification to the power plant; construction is scheduled to start in May 1962. The Marconi Company also performed an inspection of both boilers in the heating plant and found no problems. This reporting period was also the starting point in the Cost Accounting program. We have submitted three (3) reports to the support base and GADS and no problems were encountered. All FY-61 projects have been completed with the exception of MEL 250-1, the construction of a new communications center. This project is being delayed due to contract difficulties. All four of the FY-62 OM projects have now gone out for bid and construction should start this summer. Nine of the thirteen projects submitted in the FY-63 O&M program have been approved by HQ 64th AD. Some of these projects could also be started late this summer. The only item remaining in our MCP program is the additional 28 man dormitory to be located adjacent to A Barracks. This item is funded and approved.

    Supply:

    During the 64th Air Division IG inspection conducted in January of this reporting period, the maintenance of AF Form 1120 cards was cited as outstanding. All AF Forms 538 were screened and discrepancies were corrected. New custody receipts were accomplished for all accounts. Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) worth of test equipment, in excess of our UAL, was turned in after careful screening under Projects Money Tree and Kid Gloves. The quarterly Project Money Tree report was submitted 1 February 1962. The floors and ceiling of the Unit Supply warehouse were completely repainted during this reporting period.

    Communications and Electronics:

    Captain Bergman assumed the duties of Communications Officer vice Captain Kelly, who departed PCS on 12 January 1962. The C&E function was cited by the 64th Air Division IG Inspection team as the best in the division. Technical assistance was requested on the T-4 trainers from GADS. We requested personnel to perform depot level maintenance on this device and to conduct a two-week training course for our military and civilian maintenance personnel. This request was approved and it is anticipated that personnel will arrive during the first week of March to provide the requested service. Ten line key units were installed in the new GADS dias upstairs, and the weather office teletype and facsimile machines were moved up to the new weather office. With these relocations completed, carpenter work is commencing on relocating the access to operations. A personnel problem has been encountered in Radar Maintenance personnel manning. CM/Sgt. Walker, NCOIC of Radar Maintenance rotated to the CONUS with no replacement. Lt. Perry, OIC of Radar Maintenance, is scheduled to rotate to the CONUS on 7 April 1962 and he, to, has no replacement. This is an immediate problem area and should be given prompt consideration.

    Food Service:

    During this reporting period resupply of subsistence was accomplished during a three day period. Subsistence drawn was for a four (4) month period. Prior to warehousing the incoming supplies, all storage areas (dry and cold) were cleaned from top to bottom, requiring the removal of all "on hand" supplies. In addition, all dunage racks and shelving were repaired or replaced. Repainting was accomplished in storage areas where required. Security walls were installed in both cold storage and dry storage areas. Cabinets were constructed to store the cooks "whites" and table cloths. The installation of serving line extension was also completed during this reporting period.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Albert D Aberson, Lt. Col., USAF

    Signature