Baldy Hughes, BC

1959 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Report
918th AC&W Squadron
1 April 1959 to 30 June 1959

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

918th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Baldy Hughes Air Station, Prince George, BC
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Major James D Lessley
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. Commander In Chief – Dwight D Eisenhower
    Secretary of Defense – Neal H McElroy
    Secretary of Air Force – James H Douglas
    Chairman of Joints Chief of Staff – General Nathan F Twining
    Air Force Chief of Staff – General Thomas D White
    Commander NORAD – General Earle E Partridge
    Commander Air Defense Command – Lt. General Joseph H Atkinson
    Commander Western Air Defense Forces – Major General Hugh H Parker
    Commander 25th Air Division – Brigadier General Charles R Bond Jr.
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • None
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • The reference for authority of primary mission is 25th Air Division Letter 20-2.
    The primary mission is to maintain radar surveillance for the purpose of providing early warning and continuous intelligence of all air activity detected, and to train continuously for the effective accomplishment of this mission.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    12

    130

    22

    164

    		  
     

    Attached

    		  

    1

    		  

    1

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

    Primary Search FPS-20; TPS-502; Height Range Indicator TPS-502; STP Trainer AN/GPS-T2; Fighter Trainer AN/GPS-T4.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Chronological Order of Historical Events for Baldy Hughes Air Station

    April 59

    The transmitter and receiver installations were combined into one facility thus improving maintenance and saving time and money for the USAF.

    April 59

    The TMO-2 Public Address System was received by this unit and installed.

    April 59

    The Radar Maintenance Office was moved from the Operations Building to the Tower.

    13 April 59

    An IRAN was conducted on the inside and outside communication plant of this unit.

    15 to 18 April 59

    A Staff visit was received from the 4602nd Support Wing. The report received from this inspection was very satisfactory.

    16 April 59

    Last Change exercise 11-59 was held with no difficulties involved from this unit.

    May 59

    All equipment was inventoried in supply preparatory to the arrival of a new supply officer.

    May 59

    A Bendix Technical Representative arrived to conduct training on the FPS-20.

    13 May 59

    An IRAN was conducted on the Teletype Equipment leaving it in good order.

    15 May 59

    1st Lt. Roy A Wells assumed duties as Communications Officer. He reported to this station from Las Vegas.

    17 May 59

    Open House was held on this day and the results were beyond expectations. Lt. Schwertz was the Officer in Charge of Armed Forces Day and the advertising he obtained was more than ample as over 1,500 local residents turned out. The base was open from 10:00 until 18:00 hours and refreshments were served. The visitors were treated to a very interesting tour of the contonment area including an exhibition from the local GObC. After refreshments the visitors were escorted to the Operations Section and given a brief lecture on the mission of this unit. Movies were also shown for anyone interested. Generally it turned out to be a very successful day for everyone.

    22 May 59

    Captain Knight assumed duties as Radar Maintenance Officer as Captain Buch departed PCS to McChord AFB.

    June 59

    ADC deleted the authorization for the Communications Augmentation Technician. (CAE) Mr. Reaville a CAE Technician was transferred from Communications to Radar Maintenance. Mr. Rosea CAE Radar Technician was transferred to the CAE depot at Winnipeg.

    5 June 59

    Captain Henry C Bussell was welcomed into the operations section on this date. He replaced Captain Griffin as operations officer. Captain Bussell reported to this squadron from Hamilton AFB where he was AC&W Plans & programs Officer for the Deputy of Operations Headquarters WDAF.

    18 June 59

    Last Chance Exercise 21-59 was conducted but this squadrons participation was almost nil.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    James D Lessley, Major, USAF

    Signature