Armstrong, Ontario

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
914th AC&W Squadron
Armstrong, Ontario
1 July 1960 to 30 September 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

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

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

William H McKinney, 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

    16

    142

    20

    178

     
     

    Attached

    4

    14

    0

    18

     
                 
  • 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/UPA-37 Jamming Simulator; 2 each M-19 Teletypewriter; 2 AN/UPA-35 PPI Scopes.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Command:

    Major Wilfred A Hafner, Commander, departed PCS 7 September 1960 and was assigned as Commander at Empire AFS, Michigan. Our new Commander, Major William H McKinney, reported in from HQ, 30th ADIV on 31 August 1960 and assumed command upon departure of Major Hafner.

    Operations:

    During the period of this report, operations lost seven officers and gained seven. The unit manning document for officers reflects eleven authorized and nine assigned. However, there are two more officers programmed to report during the next quarter. The section also lost three NCO’s and gained five while there were 14 airmen lost and 26 gained. The critical shortage of NCO supervisors is almost alleviated. The section is one airman over the UMD authorization.

    The training program was intensified due to the Operational Readiness Inspection expected on or about 15 October 1960. The crews have been changed to a four crew schedule to insure more training; especially during the swing shift. The new directors underwent a rigid training program to prepare themselves for the ORI. In addition, there were 49 live missions, consisting of 30th ADIV "Think Ahead" missions, "Big Blast" missions and the NORAD Exercise called "Sky Shield". "Sky Shield" was a test of the whole Air Defense System and during the period of liability, all commercial aircraft were grounded. There were 28 filmed missions that were conducted during this period. In addition to the operational missions, we are continuing our manual inputs missions to insure rapid and accurate telling to our SAGE Sector. Actual intercepts totalled 180 singles and 40 multiples. With the acquisition of F-106 aircraft by the 11th FIS at Duluth, it is expected that intercepts will increase in the future. The main problem in this area is the lack of intercepts to adequately train and eventually upgrade the new directors.

    During this period there was excellent indication that operations will have a 6B type height finder in the not-too-distant future. The tower parts arrived and were being off loaded near the proposed location of the tower. This will increase our effectiveness a great deal.

    Communications – Electronics:

    The 10 line units that were requested in April to increase our operational capability were completely installed on 11 August 1960. These 25 units were installed in a minimum length of time.

    There were two additional AN/UPA-35 PPI scopes received and installed 10 August 1960. These scopes were relocated from P-69, at Baudette, Minnesota. Three of the older scopes, two oA-99 and one 0A-175 were turned in to Supply. This was also in line with increasing the capability of our Ops Section.

    The tower footings for the first AN/FPS-6B Height Finder are complete at this time. This set is still programmed to be operational in December of this year. The test equipment for this set has started arriving at the squadron on schedule.

    Two line amplifiers were procured for this squadron so that the HF Net could be monitored by the Operations Section. This is in line with the eventual phase-out of our Radio Operations Section.

    The section was visited by Major Switzer and Major Nicholson of Duluth ADS in regards to setting up an MCC in the Radar Maintenance Section. The MCC has been established. There are still some details regarding reporting procedures that have to be worked out at the time of this report.

    The C&E Section has lost 12 airmen and gained 12 during this reporting period.

    Supply:

    All AF Form 1120 cards were screened for authorization and changes requested were submitted or are being submitted for approval. CAN/MEAL and UAL were brought up to date with our annual inventory of all property. New quarters furniture was placed in the barracks to replace unserviceable quarters furniture.

    This organization has revised the annual 4602nd-S1, Equipment and Furniture requirements Report, FY-61, in the amount of approximately $25,000. Pending receipt of this amount it will enable this organization to equip the airman’s barracks to an acceptable standard.

    The transportation section processed thirty-five outgoing shipments for supply equipment and received fifty-one incoming shipments on Government Bill of Ladings. Also completed necessary paper work to ship two shipments of household goods for airmen returning to the ZI.

    Tech Supply has typed new AF Form 84-B’s for the spares to the new equipment. New bins have been received and erected. Complete re-warehousing of the section is in order to have more space for the FPS-6B spare parts is being accomplished.

    Medics:

    An extensive training program of all assigned personnel in first aid and buddy aid has been initiated.

    T/Sgt. Samuel T Bessette was assigned to the dispensary and became the new NCOIC.

    The section lost A/2C William Edwards, departing PCS.

    Air Police:

    Work has been completed on the new firing range and required small arms training is now being conducted.

    There were seven vehicle registrations during the quarter, one major investigation conducted concerning the theft of money, and over 300 travel permits issued to personnel for hunting and fishing trips.

    New gun racks and shelves are presently being constructed and are near completion.

    Since the beginning of the station construction program the section has issued 88 badges to contractor personnel.

    New restricted area badges have not been issued since camera and laminating facilities are not available at this station. The necessary equipment has been ordered through Supply channels.

    Communications equipment for alerts and rescue operations has been ordered through Supply channels.

    During the quarter the section lost 1 A/1C, 77150 and gained 1 S/Sgt., 77170. Also, the Provost Marshal departed PCS and was replaced by CWO (W-2) Estie W Cunningham.

    Motor Pool:

    During the quarter the Motor Pool Officer, 1st Lt. Thomas H Davis was reassigned PCS. The civilian supervisor, Alvin L Laird assumed control of the section.

    A 1960 Willys Jeep stake and platform ¾ ton truck was added to the vehicle inventory.

    Contract repairs on USAF Vehicle number 53B34 have been completed and the vehicle has been returned to service.

    USAF vehicle number 56B2516, sent to Fort William for repair, was rejected and returned and is now awaiting disposal instructions.

    The wrecker, USAF vehicle number 53L109 and the stake and platform truck, USAF vehicle number 51B2402 were taken to Fort William 20 September 1960 for commercial repair.

    Permission was received from 4602nd to turn USAF vehicle number 53B167 in to salvage. Necessary action has been completed.

    Permission was also received to declare USAF vehicle numbers 53B175 and 53B25 uneconomical repair and to turn them in to the Base Disposal Officer.

    Food Service:

    During the first quarter FY-61, the following significant changes took place in the 914th Squadron Dining Hall:

    The Food Service Supervisor was reassigned to the ZI during July and one cook departed to the States during August. No airmen were gained.

    CWO James H Heard assumed the duties of Food Service Officer during the month of September due to the pending reassignment of 1st Lt. Daniel S Burr.

    The Dining Hall was visited by Major General Jensen, 30th ADIV Commander.

    The 30th ADIV Staff visit was conducted during July.

    During this period a new bake oven and a new mixing machine were obtained through supply channels.

    Installations:

    The Clayton Construction Company Ltd. Was awarded a contract to construct: (1) one 20 man dormitory; (2) a multi-purpose recreation building; (3) an extension to the power plant building with the installation of an additional boiler; and (4) the erection of the two #6 towers.

    The foundations for the 20 man dormitory, the multi-purpose recreation building, power house extension, and one of the towers were completed by 30 September 1960.

    A stop order was placed on one of the #6 towers after excavation was completed and after some drilling for rock anchors was completed.

    The Clow-Darling Plumbing and Heating Company Ltd. Have completed modification of the steam lines in the walkways and towers. Hook-up of steam lines from the power house to the operations building has not been completed at this time.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    William H McKinney, Major, USAF

    Signature