Goose Bay, Labrador

1967 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
641st AC&W Squadron
Goose Bay, Labrador
1 July 1967 to 30 September 1967

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

641st AC&W Squadron
APO New York 09677

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Lee M Trowbridge, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Air Defense Command

    First Air Force
    37th Air Division

  • 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 establish and maintain the functions necessary to provide the Commander, 37th NORAD Division with an operational combat control force, to exercise operational control over all air defense forces assigned, attached or otherwise made available by proper authority, within assigned area of responsibility, and to function as a NORAD Control Center.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    11

    136

    44

    191

     
     

    Assigned

    11

    154

    34

    199

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-93A – Two Channel Prime Radar, AN/FPS-90 Radar Height Finder, 0A840A/GPX-7A Radar Identification, 16 Cummins Diesel Generators, 8 AN/GRC-27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter-Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel UHF Transmitters, 3 MF/URG-60 VHF Receivers, 6 AN/GRR-7 Single Channel Receivers, 6 T-5002/FRT-502, 1 AN/UPX-14, 1 AN/GPX-27, Two 225 HP Steam Boilers.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    During this period, Captain Ralph A Schacker assumed the duties as operations officer, replacing Captain Verne W Woznack. Captain Woznack departed this station in August on normal rotation to the ZI. Personnel manning at the close of the quarter was as follows: Officers; 1 Major 1716 authorized with one Captain 1711 assigned and 4 Captain 1744 authorized with 3 Lt’s. and 1 CWO 1744 assigned. There were 85 airmen authorized with 84 assigned. During the period 22 to 24 August 1967, the operations section was inspected by personnel of the 1st Air Force IG Team. Overall results of this inspection were reported as satisfactory with a number of commendable areas noted. During the period of this report, the operations section participated in three (3) live exercises, sixteen (16) STP exercises and five (5) live ECM exercises. The following accomplishments were notes during the period of this report: (1) 6,778 flight plans processed (2) 12 unknown tracks in complex, (3) No AAD scrambles during the quarter, (4) No practice scrambles, and (5) 508 practice intercepts. During this reporting period, the operations training program was completely revised and strengthened in areas of potential and/or indicated weakness. All areas were affected by the development of twelve (12) new lesson plans, the implementation of an intensive training program specifically designed to meet the training requirements of personnel designated for duty at either control technician or intercept control technicians. During the reporting period, as a result of the expanded and intensified training program in effect, thirty-eight (38) operations personnel were upgraded to operational-ready status. At the close of the period, seventeen (17) people were still in training status, however, most will undergo their operational-ready evaluation within the first two weeks of the following quarter. During this reporting period the TESTO qualitative examination program in accordance with ADCM 50-5 was implemented by the operations section. An analysis of scores obtained from the crews, thus far, has indicated that approximately 75% of the Operations personnel tested were able to achieve scores of 85% or better.

    Communications and Electronics:

    During this quarter this section had 10 losses and 11 gains in enlisted personnel bringing section strength to 42 authorized, 39 assigned. Equipment: The equipment deck of the AN/FPS-90 was completely cleaned and painted. The third floor of the AN/FPS-93A Tower has been cleaned and painted. Channel 1 AN/FPS-93 was down a considerable length of time due to receiving three defective high voltage plate transformers from supply. The GPS-T4 was non-operational from 21 June to22 September due to a defective input voltage regulator. The regulator was repaired and the GPS-T4 is now operational. A DLM team completely reconfigured the UHF radio antenna farm. All AS-1097 antennas were checked and repositioned on the antenna poles. The AS-505 antennas removed are still awaiting disposition instructions. The installation of a new 02 telephone cable between the operations and the radio buildings was completed on 6 September. This installation has eliminated moisture in the lines and cross talk between radio channels. Additionally, the installation of AM-447 line amplifiers for the radio receiver channels has been completed, and will also help prevent cross talk between radio channels. MCC was relocated to facilitate control of the maintenance effort. A new MCC console was constructed on a self-help project. The IG inspection was completed during 22-25 August 1967 with a satisfactory rating for the section. Special commendations were given to MCC and radar work centers for their excellent condition of the work centers.

    Civil Engineering:

    During this quarter the mobile maintenance team worked on the following projects: MEL WO 116-66, alter stairways, buildings S-1570 and S-1571, 70% completed. MEL WO 100-67, repair garbage shed, 100% completed. MEL WO 128-66, erect ducts BMEWS, 70% completed. MEL WO 104-67, install security bards, 40% completed. MEL WO 114-66, replace shingles, 100% completed. MEL WO 101-67, repair lumber shed, 100% completed. The Canadian Marconi Company performed maintenance and repaired diesel engine generator, unit #1 of the main power plant. The power electric engineer of 37th EDC performed overhaul on BMEWS/TROPO No break power system, and made all necessary repairs. Also, the antenna drive in the FPS-93A tower was charged permanently to Tech power. One 400 ampere main breaker in the power plant was replaced by a 600 ampere breaker. All discrepancies noted in the AF IG have been corrected. The preventative maintenance program has been begun and is presently in operation with a few minor administrative problems to resolve. The outside water tank heating system has been repaired with help of the Mobile Maintenance Team. O&M Projects: MEL 3-7, construct water line; MEL 3-8, paint various facilities and MEL 4-8, maintenance of roadways and parking areas, are all under design. MCP project construct two 40 man each dormitories, was submitted to HQ 37th Air Division for approval. In the area of personnel, 3 civilians departed this station and 7 new civilian employees reported for duty under Project Mix Fix II. In the heating plant equipment is awaiting repair of blow down system, however, in the meantime both boilers can work if necessary. All power plant equipment is 100% operational. In the motor pool all equipment is operational with the exception of the 2 ˝ ton truck which is undergoing extensive repair.

    Station Support:

    During this period a complete change of personnel within the supply area occurred with the arrival of a T/Sgt., a new station support NCOIC, three (3) A/1C, and three (3) civilians. Supply transactions have been at a stand still with the closure of base supply, except for priorities. This was due to the conversion to the UNIVAC 1050-II computer system. Business is now being conducted as usual with the exception of equipment transactions. An IG inspection was conducted, supply receiving a satisfactory rating in all areas. All discrepancies were of a minor nature and have been corrected. Material Control has been re-located in the supply area. This will insure closer supervision and alleviate any storage problems experienced in the past. Supply personnel have attended the 1050-II Orientation presented by base supply and briefed equipment custodian on the new computer system concept.

    Administration:

    This unit was inspected by personnel of the 1st AF Inspector General’s office from 22 through 25 August 1967. The effort expended by all personnel was evidenced by the fact that there were no major discrepancies listed in the report. General Military training, Disaster Preparedness training and Unit on the job training continued to receive increased emphasis. There were no other noteworthy incidents in this section for the period of the report.

    Food Service:

    The IG inspection and routine sanitation inspections produced only minor discrepancies, which have been corrected. There were no other noteworthy events in the Food Services Section during this quarter.

    Security and Law Enforcement:

    During the past quarter the security police section accomplished all assigned duties without exceptional incident.

    Medical:

    This section was inspected by the 1st AF Inspector General team with only minor discrepancies noted. There were no other noteworthy events in the Medical Section during this quarter.

    Prepared By: Francis B Brake, Captain, USAF, Historian

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Lee M Trowbridge, Lt. Col., USAF

    Signature