Lowther, ON

1958 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther, ON
1 October 1958 to 31 December 1958

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

639th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Lowther Air Station, Lowther, Ont., Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Kenneth B Joyce, Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. 37th Air Division (Defense)
    Eastern Air Defense Force
    Air Defense Command
  • 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 37th Air Division (Defense) for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within this system.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    13

    145

    7

    165

    		  
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		  
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    1 Search Radar AN/MPS-7 in Arctic tower; 1 Height Radar AN/MPS-14 in Arctic tower; 1 IFF AN/GPX-20 less SIF equipment; 1 Video Mapper AN/GPA-30; 1 Telephone Equipment AN/GTA-6A; 2 Teletype AN/FGC-20; 1 Teletype AN/FGC-25; 3 Radio VHF BC640 BC639; 4 Radio UHF Multi Channel AN/GRC-27; 1 Radio HF AN/GRC-26A; 1 Crypto Account; 4 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRR-7 AN/GRT-3;

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    The 639th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron conducted its primary mission without incident during this reporting period. Squadron participation in the WESEG mission in October and exceptionally good which resulted in one of the highest MA to Aircraft Committed ratios in the area.

    On the 31st of October 1958, Major Kenneth B Joyce assumed command of the 639th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. Authority is Special Order Number 310, dated 31 October 1958.

    In support activities, personnel and equipment assigned to this unit took part in two aerial searches for persons lost in the bush area. This assistance was greatly appreciated by Canadians living in this area.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Kenneth B Joyce, Major, USAF

    Signature