Lowther, ON

1963 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Record
639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther, ON
1 April 1963 to 30 June 1963

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

639th AC&W Squadron
Lowther Air Station, Lowther, Ont., Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Harold L Peasley, Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. Sault Ste. Marie Air Defence Sector
    30th Air Division (SAGE)
    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 30th Air Division (SAGE) for the purpose of conducting air defense operations within this system.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    12

    72

    10

    94

    		  
     

    Attached

    1

    1

    0

    2

    		  
                 
  • 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-20A; 1 Video Mapper AN/GPA-30; 1 Telephone Equipment AN/GTA-6A with 33 line units; 2 Teletype AN/FGC-20; 1 Data Transmitter AN/FST-2B; 1 Teletype AN/FGC-25; 4 Radio VHF FRT-502 and URG-60; 2 Radio UHF Multi Channel AN/GRC-27; 1 Crypto Account; 7 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRR-7; 7 Radio UHF Single Channel AN/GRT-3; 1 TDDL AN/GKA-5; 1 High Power Amp AN/FRT-49; 1 AN/FPS-26A FD Height Radar;

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Phaseout of this unit accelerated in preparation for the turnover of this site to the Royal Canadian Air Force on 1 July 1963. USAF personnel were replaced by RCAF airmen, and extensive training was conducted to ensure no lapse in the units effectiveness.

    On 1 April 1963 Flight Lieutenant TR Axcell arrived to take charge of the advanced party, RCAF. On 15 June 1963 Wing Commander ID Tenove arrived and subsequently assumed command on 1 July 1963.

    A very impressive turnover ceremony was held on 26 June 1963. Major General Benjamin J Webster represented the USAF and turned this, the last of eleven Pine Tree sites over to Air Vice Marshal MM Hendrick.

    The USAF personnel erected a town welcome sign, which was presented to the town of Kapuskasing as a parting gesture to commemorate the fine relationship between the USAF and the local community. The sign was paid for through donations and constructed by squadron personnel on their off duty time.

    The AN/FPS-26 Radar set was accepted from Westinghouse and integrated into the SAGE system. Installation of the AN/FPS-27 Radar continued on schedule.

    The 639th AC&W Squadron was transferred to the RCAF on Special Order Number G-8, Headquarters, ADC, dated 23 January 1963.

    Handing Over Certificate (USAF to RCAF – 1 July, 1963)

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Harold L Peasley, Major, USAF

    Signature