Goose Bay, Labrador

1966 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
641st AC&W Squadron
Goose Bay, Labrador
1 January 1966 to 31 March 1966

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

641st AC&W Squadron (ADC)
APO New York 09677

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Donald A Zeine, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Air Defense Command
    26th Air Division (SAGE)
    Goose Air Defense Sector
    641st AC&W Squadron

  • 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 operate a Master Direction Center for the Air Defense Command, to man and operate a NORAD Control Center under a NORAD Command, to operate a minor relay communications center, to provide logistical support to the Goose Air Defense Sector’s Direction Center and TROPO and BMEWS Communications Systems which are located on the station.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    19

    210

    14

    243

     
     

    Assigned

    19

    192

    13

    224

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-87A – Two Channel Prime Radar, AN/FPS-93 Radar Height Finder, AN/GPX-7A Radar Identification, 16 Cummins Diesel Generators, 8 AN/GRC-27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel UHF Transmitter, 3 MF/URG-60 VHF Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel Receivers, 6 T-5002/FRT-502, 2 225 HP Steam Boilers.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    Officer manning during the quarter was satisfactory with authorized strength 13 and 12 weapons controllers assigned. New Officer arrivals were Captain Reboli, 1st Lt. WP Murphy and CWO Homme. Airman manning in the Section for this quarter is: 33 NCO’s authorized, 34 assigned; 52 airmen authorized, 39 assigned. There were 9 new airmen assigned this quarter. During this quarter the 641st AC&W Squadron participated in two live exercises and nine STM missions. Training hours accomplished by officers and airmen during this quarter: Weapons Controllers 225 hours of Academic and ECM training. Airmen accomplished 1,837 hours of Academic and ECM training. During this quarter 3,201 flight plans were processed by this section. Of this number there were 6 unknowns, 6 active air scrambles, 933 practice intercepts and 543 recoveries.

    Communications and Electronics:

    During this quarter Captain Overling replaced Major Brady as Ground C-E-M Supervisor. A large number of three level airmen were assigned to this section and a large number of skilled NCOs have departed. As a result, training has been an important facet of our operation. The organization structure of this section was revised during the quarter to coincide with higher headquarters directives. Prior to the re-organization, all of the maintenance functions were under MCC which in turn was under the C&E Officer. Under the present organization the maintenance functions are under the C&E Officer at the same organizational level as MCC. The Communications Center has been in a state of flux due to a rapid turnover of personnel in a very short period of time. It indicates poor programming of personnel. Since a large turnover occurred in a period of one to two months, this places a heavy burden on the remaining NCOs in trying to get new people trained to handle their jobs adequately. A better method might be to spread reassignment of personnel over a period of months instead of a one to two month period. The Communications Center began preparing for compatibility with Mode V-B AUTODIN Circuitry in March. Personnel arriving during the period: S/Sgt. Earnhardt, S/Sgt. Hardwick, S/Sgt. Sims, A/1C Karn, A/2C Bernsten, A/2C Medlin, A/2C Hunter, A/2C Lester, A/2C McClain and A/1C Grainger. Personnel departing: T/Sgt. Couch, T/Sgt. Gagliano, S/Sgt. Conklin, T/Sgt. Emory, S/Sgt. Struss, S/Sgt. Geppalo, A/1C Schneider, A/2C Gerrero, S/Sgt. Fredickson, S/Sgt. Briggs and S/Sgt. Castenguay.

    Civil Engineering:

    The following work items were completed during this quarter: All loose wiring under A and B barracks was removed and new wiring was run in conduit, eliminating a severe fire hazard. All washers and dryers in A and B barracks were rewired. New washers and dryers were installed. Each unit now has an adequate disconnect switch. Unit Supply assumed control of all Civil Engineering supplies, including the storage area in 90-tower. Defective lighting fixtures were removed and new fixtures installed throughout the station. The following work was accomplished by the MMT: WO 114-65 – Repair door frames in A and B barracks – 100% complete. WO 119-65 – Repair electrical distribution system throughout the station – 65% complete. WO 109-66 – Remove outside control housing on water tank – 100% complete. WO 117-66 – Repair Blow-down pipe – Heating Pant – 100% complete. Canadian Marconi Company personnel installed new pistons and piston liners in two diesels during the quarter. Costs for the Civil Engineering Section during this quarter were as follows: Military Labor Cost - $6,500.16; Civilian Labor Cost - $27,427.06; Material Cost - $8,123.70; Fuel and Lube Cost $23,839.94; Total Cost - $65,890.86. O&M Project Status: FY 66 – Project MEL 2-6, Paint interior of various facilities, is now under contract. Work is due to start any time. Project MEL 4-6, Maintain Septic Tank, is also under contract. FY 67 – Project MEL 4-7, Paint various facilities is under design. Personnel losses: S/Sgt. McDonald, T/Sgt. Towne and Mr. Mackey. Personnel gains: S/Sgt. Moore. Replacements for T/Sgt. Towne and Mr. Mackey are assigned but have not reported for duty as of this time. We are short one S/Sgt., AFSC 55530, General Maintenance Mechanic. This position has not been filled in over three years. Fire Prevention: There were no actual fires during this period. Five fire drills were conducted. There were six auxiliary firemen training classes and three indoctrination classes for newly assigned personnel.

    Unit Supply:

    During this period normal activities continued as follows: Regulation name tapes which were ordered by Unit Supply have been received and are being issued to personnel. The relocation of Civil Engineer Supplies into Unit Supply has been completed. New Theater seats have arrived and will be installed in the near future. There was only one departure out of Supply this period and that was A/1C Archer.

    Food Service:

    Normal activities continued during the period. The new milk machine arrived and has been put to good use. The Section was also in receipt of a gasket for the Pressure Cooker and a Meat Tenderizer. Departures: A/2C Bateman.

    Air Police Section:

    Normal activities continued during the period. Departures: S/Sgt. Bunch and A/1C Johnson. Arrivals: S/Sgt. Aguilera and A/1C Allen.

    Administration:

    There were no arrivals or departures in this section during the period. The Commander attended the Commanders Conference at North Bay, Canada during March.

    Prepared By: Morris Elder, CWO-4, USAF

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Donald A Zeine, Lt. Col., USAF

    Signature