Saglek, Labrador

1967 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
924th AC&W Squadron
Saglek, Labrador
1 April 1967 to 30 June 1967

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

924th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Ronald N Dahly, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 37th Air Division
    First Air Force
    Air Defense Command

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • None

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • The mission of the 924th AC&W Squadron is to conduct air defense operations within assigned area of responsibility; support the Melville NORAD Control Center; function as a Surveillance Station with limited control capability in the air defense system; operate and maintain the air strip at Saglek Bay, Canada.
    37th Air Division Regulation 23-7

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    6

    91

    37

    134

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    90

    35

    131

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • 1 AN/FPS-93A; 1 AN/UPX-14; 3 AN/GPS-T2/T2A; 1 AN/UPA-35; 7 OA-175; 1 GPX-7A; 1 GPA-30; 5 GRC-27; 3 FRT-502; 6 URG-60; 1 BC-610; 3 SP-600; 1 GTA-6.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Supply and Services Branch:

    Total aircraft processed for turn-around by Supply and Services Branch: Twenty-two DC-3’s, five DC-4’s, three HU-16’s, four C-133’s and one light civilian. Incoming cargo included 212,008 lbs. of general; 14,929 lbs. of mail and 175 passengers. Outgoing cargo consisted of 21,182 lbs. of general, 4,641 lbs. of mail and 167 passengers. This Branch had a total of 13 losses and 10 gains.

    Materiel Control – During this period 37 NORS and priority requests were processed. Fifteen pieces of equipment were processed for calibration and returned.

    Vehicle Maintenance – A total of 64 vehicle work orders were completed with a total of 569 man hours expended. Newly assigned vehicles include two D-8 Caterpillars and two Euclid 15-ton dump trucks. These new vehicles are in support of the Rock Crushing operation.

    Base Exchange – Total sales for this quarter was $14,370.12. The current inventory of the Base Exchange is $28,000.00.

    Summary – During this reporting period the increase in cargo and personnel is due largely to the arrival of the Rock Crushing equipment and crew.

    Civil Engineering Branch:

    The new site Civil Engineer, 1st Lt. Wersten arrived 10 May 1967 and the new NCOIC Civil Engineering, T/Sgt. Marengo, arrived 25 May 1967. The Mobile Maintenance Team completed work on installation of the fire alarm system and replacing steam lines in the gym. During this period construction dollars (MPC) became available for the composite personnel facility, auto heated storage connected to the composite personnel facility and auto heated storage at BMEWS. A contract has been awarded to the Pinsent Construction Company (Ltd) in the amount of $592,000 for the construction of these facilities. Contractors ship arrived this station 13 Jul, with some materials aboard. Construction is phased over 2 years with the foundations programmed for completion in FY 1967 and completion of the facilities in late fall 1968. A large ($193,000) runway repair project (also awarded to Pinsent Construction Company) began 13 July 1967 with arrival of 21 personnel and materials via air and the same ship as above. This project consists of repair to failed areas and resurfacing of the runway, taxiway and parking apron. Completion date is set for 15 Oct 67. In support of these two projects an Air Force owned rock crusher, two 15 ton Euclids and two D-8 Bulldozers were airlifted to Saglek via C-133’s. Rock crushing began 1 Jun 67 and is scheduled for completion 31 Aug 67. The operation consists of producing approximately 5000 tons of 4 sizes of rock (2" max., 1" max., Ύ" max., and ½" max.) to very fine tolerances and 30,000 tons of crusher run material for base use. All other rock to be used by the runway project and composite facility. On 12 Jun 67 Project Paint BMEWS by Parker Brothers (Ltd) began. Primarily this project consists of interior painting, exterior painting of doors and stairs and waveguide housings, and undercoating the building. Cost $10,857. Completion date is scheduled for 15 Sep 67. Project is approximately 90% complete as of this date. Project Paint the TACAN Tower appears to be headed for next year accomplishment. Although funded this FY bids received were far in excess of the Government estimate. If scrubbed this year it will most likely reappear as part of the large exterior paint project scheduled for Summer 1968. In house work requests were forwarded to build approximately 1000 feet of new roadway deleting the worst S curve on the summer road. Approval is expected at any time. Also submitted was a w/r for modification of the NCO Club providing a completely new look. Approval on this project is also anticipated in the near future.

    Operations Branch:

    The Operations Branch participated in three live exercises and six simulated training missions during this quarter. One hundred percent of academic training requirements were accomplished. One NCO (AFSC 27392) was gained. One NCO (AFSC 27370) departed on permanent change of station.

    Medical Services Branch:

    There was a total of 151 patients treated during this period. Five patients were sent to Goose Air Base Hospital for further medical evaluation. A total of four hours class training was given in self aid and buddy care. There were no losses in this section during this period due to PCS of personnel.

    Information and Recreation Branch:

    A new shuffleboard has been received and added to the recreational facilities at this site. The new console for the Radio Station has been installed as well as a new tape recorder head and tape recorder remote control unit. New personnel have taken over as managers for the Leather Craft Hobby Shop, Lapidary Hobby Shop and Photo Hobby Shop creating new interest and activity in these areas. One airman (74131) departed this section in early June for discharge. In education, a USAFI Group Study Class in History has been started and comprises seventeen military personnel. Twenty-five ECI applications were processed through this office during this quarter.

    Communications and Electronics Branch:

    Supervision – With the addition of M/Sgt. Edward G Vaseka, Jr. to the section on 5 Jun 67, M/Sgt. Lloyd D Pierce was assigned to the position as Radar Maintenance supervisor. M/Sgt. Vaseka assumed the duty as Quality Control Inspector and Maintenance Control Center Supervisor. Our CTSP personnel, Mr. Jerry P Henry, was lost by our section due to termination of employment.

    Radar Maintenance – Class I modification ADC Control No. C-660381 to protect relay K-2403 has been completed, completion date 29 Jun 67. The AN/GPA-30, video mapper, is still awaiting parts. TCTO 31P4-2GPX7-512 (changed 1 Mar 67 to 31P4-2GPX-501) which increases decoding sensitivity of KY-118S 50% of parts have been received, however this modification will not be installed until study by SMAMA has been completed; as instructed by SMNLTC message 34386 Jun 67. The overall operation of the AN/FPS-93A Search radar and the auxiliary equipment has been outstanding up until 14 Jun 67. Requested emergency maintenance 30 Jun 67. As of 24 Jun 67 "Old Betsy", Klystron 3035A Channel #2 had a total of 41018 Radiate hours and 41974 Fil. Hours. The maintenance console for MCC was approved by 37th Air Division and will be made by 37th Air Division. Also the 10 line unit has been modified to have a conference line with all CEM sections. We lost our CTSP Personnel, Mr. Jerry P Henry, 26 Jun 67. No PEGE failures during this quarter. CMC PMEL arrived 11 May 67 and left 29 Jun 67. This section lost one 30390, four 30252, one 30372 and one 30332 and gained one 30390 and six 30352.

    Radio Maintenance – During this quarter, installation of one single channel AN/GRT-3 Radio Set and two multi-channel AN/GRC-27 Radio Sets was completed to give additional radio coverage. A complete renovation of power lines and control lines was made at this time to simplify operating and trouble shooting procedures. The Radio system used for ship-to-shore communications was improved with a new antenna system which gives better reception. Training for two 30434, A/2C, was completed and they are now awaiting SKT testing. During this period the Radio Maintenance Section was 100% manned.

    Wire Maintenance – This quarter wire installed five phones. One phone was removed from the Barber Shop. Three phones and switch boxes in Civil Engineering were rewired. The PA system in the Airman’s quarters and the hallway to the CEM office was rewired. An AM2639-U amplifier and loudspeaker was installed in the BX. Excess wire was saved for future use. A/3C Bradberry is newly assigned to this section from the 3761st Student Squadron Sheppard AFB, Texas.

    Teletype Maintenance – This quarter all three teletype machines were overhauled. The machine in AFRTS was down four weeks due to lack of parts. It was restored to service 24 May. Teletype circuit Q102 was down for repairs from 25 May to 1 Jun. The main trouble being a bad cam shaft sleeve assembly. This occurred the same day A/2C Williamson departed this station on leave. A/2C Jenkins from the 3640th Support Squadron, Melville was dispatched to this squadron on the first available aircraft. The outage was eliminated and communications restored approximately two hours after the arrival of airman Jenkins to this station. Airman Williamson has returned from leave and further reoccurrence is not expected.

    Communications Operations – Sgt. Williams departed this station on 1 May 67 for a PCS movement to Hawaii. A/2C Orlando departed on 5 Jun 67 for a PCS move to Patrick AFB, Florida. Two newcomers were invited into the section during the month of May. They were A/1C Russel P Hogan and A/1C Odell C Burse. Per request of the new Communications Officer at Melville, our morale call system was revamped. Our regular night is still Thursday night; however, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights are open or "free" on a first come, first serve basis. According to the wishes of 1st Lt. Gabourie, Squadron Communications Officer, personnel are limited to one morale call per week. Airman Hogan was admitted to the Goose Bay AB Hospital for severe stomach pains. He returned to duty on or about 21 Jun 67 but was readmitted to the hospital for more observation on 4 Jul 67.

    Administrative/Personnel Branch:

    The frequency of pay problems has decreased considerably this quarter. Close telephone co-ordination has been maintained with Goose Finance which has helped considerably to eliminate any of the pay problems.

    S/Sgt. William T Ambrose was assigned to the Orderly Room as an Administrative Clerk. M/Sgt. Robert K Stuart was assigned as First Sergeant replacing CM/Sgt. Alex O Cardenas.

    Prepared By: Luther A Dalton, S/Sgt., USAF

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Ronald N Dahly, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature