Armstrong, Ontario

1959 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
914th AC&W Squadron
Armstrong, Ontario
1 June 1959 to 30 September 1959

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

914th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Armstrong, Ontario, Canada

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Wilfred A Hafner, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Headquarters United States Air Force
    Headquarters Air Defense Command
    Headquarters 30th Air Division
    Duluth Air Defense Sector
    914th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • To operate and maintain a Direction Center facility as part of the integrated air defense system of the 30th Air Division (SAGE), for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within this system. Authority: Duluth Air Defense Sector Regulation 24-6, dated 7 July 1959.

  • Personnel
  •  

     

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     

     

    Assigned

    19

    135

    19

    172

     

     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-3C Prime Search Radar; AN/FPS-502 Back-up Search Radar; AN/TPS-502 Height Finder; AN/GPX-7A Selective Identification Feature; AN/GPA-30 Video Mapper; NE-612 Telephone Center Office; AN/GPS-T2 Target Simulator; AN/UPS-T5 Target Simulator; AN/GPA-37 Jamming Simulator; 2 each TT/F6 Teletypewriter.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Personnel Section:

    On 1 July 1959, Headquarters jurisdiction over this unit was passed from Headquarters, 30th Air Division (SAGE) to Headquarters, Duluth Air Defense Sector, Duluth Municipal Airport, Duluth Minnesota by authority of General Order Number 41, Headquarters, 30th Air Division (SAGE), dated 15 May 1959. No difficulties worthy of note were encountered as a result of this transition from a personnel standpoint.

    During the period 1 July 1959 to 30 September 1959, 45 personnel were gained by this organization (2 Officers and 43 Airmen) and 59 personnel were rotated to the United States (2 Officers and 57 Airmen). One airman was returned to the United States for Discharge under the provisions of AFR 39-16 in August 1959.

    Operations Section:

    On 24 July 1959, Captain Robert P Mangone was assigned to the 914th Squadron as Operations Officer.

    In July, August and September 1959, fifteen (15) new men were assigned to this section, representing a total of 25% of the total assigned strength. As most of these men were SAGE trained, the training section put in effect a program that would ensure a rapid degree of proficiency in the manual radar system.

    On 9 August 1959, the SIF installation was completed and accepted by this organization. An extensive training program was held by the training section to assure that all directors and other necessary personnel were thoroughly indoctrinated in the use of this equipment.

    An extensive cross training program in accordance with ADCM 51-2 was conducted with the 11 FIS, and Duluth Air Defense Sector, Duluth Municipal Airport, Duluth, Minnesota, and also with the 30th Air Division (SAGE), Madison, Wisconsin. The officers involved in this training were well briefed on the operations of each unit visited and the problems that are particular to each unit.

    Ground Electronics Maintenance Section:

    During the period covered by this report the following maintenance and installation of equipment was accomplished by this section:

    On 9 August the 0A-840/GPX-7A SIF (Selective Identification Feature) equipment was accepted and put into operation at this station. This new equipment allows the operations section a much broader means of identifying aircraft.

    No major modifications were performed on the equipment during this period.

    All C&E test equipment underwent calibration and repair during the period 30 July to 10 August 1959. This service was rendered by the C&E test equipment calibration team.

    During the period covered by this report a total of five personnel were assigned to the Radar Maintenance section.

    Supply Section:

    The projects undertaken and completed during this period were as follows:

    The first Van movement of household goods was performed from this station during the month of August. T/Sgt. Osborne was moved in and S/Sgt. Luttrell was moved out in a simultaneous move. No Van movements were possible prior to this time due to no access road into this area.

    The organizational Supply Officer and NCOIC performed a Supply Visit to the 4602nd Support Wing – Considerable assistance was received.

    A/1C Charles Hill was absent from the section during September due to his attendance at the NCO prep course at Empire Michigan.

    A purchase request was submitted to the 4602nd Support Wing for freezable type items to carry the squadron through the winter months.

    Installation Engineer Section:

    During this reporting period the following projects were completed:

    The air conditioning modification in the operations building was completed.

    On 28 July 59 work commenced on the 18 place trailer court, which is presently completed with the exception of electrical plug-ins for trailers.

    All asphalt roads were sand sealed during the month of September.

    Motor Pool Section:

    Action was taken to procure a new station wagon to replace carryall 53B166 – anticipated delivery date is 20 October 1959.

    The Western Flyer Bus USAF 53B35 is presently being overhauled by the Western Flyer Coach Company of Winnipeg.

    All vehicles have been winterized and new snow removal equipment has been readied for the winter.

    Commanders Visits:

    During the period covered by this report the Commander made a visit to the Duluth Air Defense Sector and the 30th Air Division (SAGE) 10 to 20 September, for the purpose of familiarization and briefing of SAGE operations. During the period 21 to 24 September the Semi-Annual Commanders Conference at the 4602nd Support Wing (ADC) was also attended.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Wilfred A Hafner, Major, USAF

    Signature