Hopedale, Labrador

1968 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
923rd AC&W Squadron
Hopedale, Labrador
1 January 1968 to 31 March 1968

Section I REQUIRED DATA
Unit and Location 923^rd AC&W Squadron, (ADC) APO New York 09434.				Name and Grade of Commander William L Fluty, Jr., Major, USAF
Chain of Command (Superior Echelons) 37^th Air Division, APO New York 09677 1^st Air Force, Stewart AFB, New York 12250 Aerospace Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado 80912 Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, DC
Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission) As directed by the Commander, 37^th Air Division or higher authority, to defend the United States and Canada against air attack by directing the air defense of all forces made available for air defense in the area of responsibility. Support the Melville NORAD Control Center under the operational control of the Commander, 37^th Air Division. Function as a Surveillance Station. Conduct sustained surveillance and limited aircraft control operations to the limit of radar equipment capabilities. Provide combat ready personnel to support the NORAD Control Center concept of operations.
Personnel
		Officers	Airmen		Civilians	Total
	AUTHORIZED	7	86		39	132
	ASSIGNED	6	72		28	106

Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment) AN/FPS-93A - 1; AN/FPS-90 – 1.
Section II COMMENTARY
Operations and Training: A total of 1342 plots were initially detected and 1472 tracks were carried; of this there were 6 unknowns, all of which were identified by revised flight plans. The Operations Training Section upgraded two new personnel to operational ready status. Due to the programmed ceasing of Operations on 1 April 68 a shortage of personnel existed throughout the quarter. 21 personnel were authorized with only 12 assigned. Communications and Electronics Maintenance: A total of 13 PEGE flights were conducted; 12 successfully passed; 1 unsuccessfully. There were no high power tube failures. However, five power failures interrupted equipment operation temporarily. Equipment was NORS three times. Only one interrupted equipment operation. A team of three Canadian Marconi Company technicians arrived 25 Mar 68 to calibrate all assigned precision measurement equipment. All leased non-tactical radio equipment was turned back to Canadian Marconi Company on 4 Mar 1968. Four trainees were administered the SKT: 2 for ASFC 30352; 1 for AFSC 30454 and 1 for AFSC 29150. Results pending. A total of 39 of the authorized 46 personnel area assigned. There were no chargeable NRTS actions during this period. Supply and transportation: The supply section began preparation for mass shipment of personnel and materials as a result of the programmed deactivation. 56 flights were made by the EPA Otter. 159 incoming passengers 153 outgoing passengers 92,966 pounds total incoming weight of passengers, baggage, mail, cargo and produce. 74,297 pounds total outgoing weight of passengers, baggage, cargo and mail. Refer to the additional detail at the end of this section for the balance of the report. Prepared By: Ben R Blair Jr., 1^st Lt., USAF
Typed Name and Grade of Commander William L Fluty, Major, USAF				Signature

Personnel:

The following Key personnel departed this station during this reporting period:

Captain JF Nuner	7 Feb 68
Captain David J Boeck	17 Jan 68
Captain Edwin H Wenzel	4 Jan 68
SMSGT WA McVitty	29 Jan 68

The following Key personnel arrived at this station:

1^st Lt. BR Blair, Jr.	8 Feb 68
1^st Lt. WN Welborn	8 Feb 68
Captain TW Stephenson III	11 Jan 68

The following is a list of Key personnel as related to position:

Major William L Fluty	Commander
Captain Thomas W Stephenson III	CEM Officer
1^st Lt. Howard J Pfeuffer	Supply Officer
1^st Lt. William N Welborn	CE Officer
1^st Lt. Allen H Jennings	Operations Officer
1^st Lt. Ben R Blair Jr.	Admin./Personnel Officer

Awards:

Airman of the Month:

January	A/1C Paul E Raikunen
February	A/1C Enrico A Molfino
March	Not selected at this date

The following personnel were promoted to the rank indicated:

To Chief Master Sergeant	SMSgt Gilbert J Pfister	1 Feb 68
To Technical Sergeant	SSgt Adam J Diflippo	1 Feb 68
	SSgt Gary M Clark	1 Feb 68
	SSgt Richard K Stripes	1 Feb 68
	SSgt Lee M Williamson	1 Feb 68
To Sergeant (E4)	A1C Robert L Bankhead	1 Feb 68
	A1C Freeman M King Jr.	1 Feb 68
To Airman First Class (E3)	Airman Richard H Hernandez	1 Feb 68

A complete inventory of BMEO accounts 607MQ, 607MP, 607MO, and 905MM was accomplished during this period.

Civil Engineering:

There were 3998 manhours available for all M&R work.
The shops accomplished 355 service calls.
There were no reportable fires.
There were no Ground Safety Accidents.

The following Depot Level maintenance work was accomplished by Canadian Marconi Company team:

1	Top overhaul on #1 and #2 engines on 14 Mat 68.
2	Calibration of all Kilowatt hour, and power factor meters on 8 Feb 1968.

The motor pool has a total of 138 hours VDM.

A total of 3520 miles were put on general purpose vehicles.

Medical Administrative Services:

There were no serious medical problems during this period. An epidemic of Infectious Hepatitis was reported in the village of Hopedale. Military personnel were cautioned and no cases were contracted on the Site.

Summary:

Shut down of all radar and auxiliary equipment was accomplished on 31 March 1968 at 2400Z in accordance with ADC Program directive 68-4, dated January 1968.