Sioux Lookout, ON

1961 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Report
915th AC&W Squadron
1 July 1961 to 30 September 1961

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

915th Squadron (ADC), Sioux Lookout AS, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Thomas E Ashinhurst, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. HQ – USAF
    HQ – NORAD
    HQ – ADC
    HQ – 30th Air Division (ADC)
    HQ – Duluth Air Defense Sector

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • Duluth ADS Regulation 24-7, dated 5 October 1960
    The mission of the 915th Squadron is to operate and maintain a radar and communications facility as a Manual Air Defense Direction Center for the Air Defense of the North American Continent..

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    17

    143

    22

    182

     
     

    Attached

    1

    2

    0

    3

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A (1 ea.), AN/FPS-6B (1 ea.).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

     

    Operations Section:

    Personnel – During this period we have had six new directors, 1744A, assigned to the Operations Section. Captain Robert R Buisson assumed the duties of Operations Officer vice Lt. Colonel Lindberg on the 25th of August 1961. Captains Wilson, Gilbert and Fetherlin have been assigned duties with the operations crews along with 1st Lt. West. CWO 2 John Moray has been assigned as training Officer and Air Surveillance Officer. Departing Officer personnel were Lt. Colonel Lindberg, Captain Caron, 1st Lt. Hughes, Captain Kennedy and 1st Lt. Uhl. SM/Sgt. Vernie Wells assumed the duties of Operations NCOIC vice T/Sgt. Albert H Varney on the 1st of September 1961.

    Operations – On July 21, 1961, HQ ADC conducted an Operational Readiness Inspection. The 915th AC&W Squadron received an overall rating of satisfactory. Performance of directors and associated technicians was satisfactory. Performance of the surveillance section was considered excellent. On the 24th of July 1961 the Operations Section was evaluated by the 30th Inspector General Team, the overall rating was considered satisfactory. No major discrepancies were noted during the inspection.

    Improvements – During the past three months the Operations Room has been refined for easier working conditions. A more efficient dias has been installed to give a greater working area and better visibility for those personnel working the positions. The Weather Board and the TAC Mission Data Boards have been elevated to give better visibility to all areas of the Operations Room. Platforms were installed behind these boards as a safety factor for those personnel working the positions. The training office was repainted. The communications for the operations has been thoroughly revised for more efficient operation.

    Awards – A/2C Gregory was nominated as Pinetopper of the Month for the month of September 1961.

    Communications and Electronics:

    AFTO Form 87’s for the AN/FPS-6B were signed on the 5th of July. On the 6th of July the CAE DLM test equipment team arrived for calibration and repair of C&E test equipment. All test equipment was in serviceable condition. On the 15th of July one additional AN/GRC-27 was installed to fill the Eyes Only position during the 30th Air Division exercise. On the 17th of July AF Form 524’s were submitted to 4602nd to delete the AN/TPS-502 from the PCSP. On the 27th of July the DLM team arrived to re-caulk the AN/FPS-6B rigid radome. On 3 August the AN/TPS-502 was decommissioned. On 21 August the DLM team arrived for teletype IRAN. During August T/Sgt. Richardson and T/Sgt. Brown reported to C&E section for duty. During September T/Sgt. Romero departed on 30 days leave and M/Sgt. Piercy departed PCS. September 16th, 4602nd inspection team arrived for inspection of C&E facilities. C&E received a satisfactory rating: the inspection team departed on the 19th. During the month of September C&E DLM team arrived for scheduled Depot Level overhaul on the AN/FPS-20A and also accomplished modification 31P6-2FPS20-537. A request was submitted for the DLM team to peak the AN/FPS-6B to determine trouble and correct the excess use of QK338 tubes. During the month of September we received disposition instructions on FRT-501 transmitter CR91A receiver, HF equipment. The equipment is to be salvaged. 22 September – forms, manuals and TO’s were ordered for implementation of AFM 66-1. Emergency deport assistance was requested on 29 September to correct AC ripple on station equipment ground. Blanking was put in operation in both the AN/FPS-20A and AN/FPS-6B for blanking the area for Drake Construction workers. An SOI was written for C&E and a letter was sent to Drake Construction concerning men working in radiation areas.

    Unit Supply:

    Transfer of the supply account was accomplished on 19 Sep 61. 1st Lt. Thad G Stevens accepted the account from 1st Lt. Leigh H Stewart who returned to the ZI upon completion of his overseas tour. The final report on project "Big Divide" was completed in the month of September. Operation "Money Tree" continues as the big project at the present time. In connection with this project, we are now required to submit a monthly report of "Acorns" which are ideas the organization will submit to higher headquarters with the possibility of introducing them Command and USAF wide. One airman, AFSC 64650 was assigned to this section during this period. Equipment forecast for 2nd quarter FY 62 was forwarded to 4602nd Support Wing (ADC) for approval. The 4602nd Support Wing completed a Staff Assistance visit during this period and rendered much valuable assistance while here. Several ideas were recommended and put into effect.

    Air Police Section:

    The Air Police Section had no change in personnel during this reporting period. Two Staff Sergeants obtained a passing score on their SKT tests and were awarded a primary AFSC of 77170. The Air Police Office (main gate) has been completely remodelled and a new electrically operated oil burner installed. The results of the annual 30th Air Division IG inspection reflect a good rating for this section. The status of discipline within the squadron is very good. Section morale is high.

    Food Service Section:

    T/Sgt. Knipple, Food Service Supervisor, rotated to the ZI on the 30th of June 1961 after a three (3) year assignment at Sioux Lookout. T/Sgt. Eugene Edwards, reported on 4 Aug 61 as Food Service Supervisor, replacing T/Sgt. Knipple. Seven new cooks reported to this section in August 1961, replacing 5 cooks whom rotated to the ZI. S/Sgt. Norman E Roy, Assistant Food Service Supervisor rotated to the ZI during September. This section received a favorable report following the Resident Auditor’s October visit. The old Airman’s Lounge is being converted into a new Dining Room, with larger seating capacity and better illumination, and is expected to be open shortly. 6937 rations, or 20,901 meals were served from 1 July through 30 September 1961. No major problems existed during this reporting period.

    Motor Pool Section:

    No gain or loss of personnel during this reporting period. The base bus was completely overhauled and painted by Western Flyer Ltd. Of Winnipeg. The vehicle storage building and the motor pool repair shop was completely repainted.

    Installations Section:

    During this reporting period Captain Joseph Kennedy was transferred to the Command and Staff School, and Captain Allen R Hogan was named as the new Installations Officer. The section was inspected or visited by several agencies during the quarter. Among the visits were two Staff Assistance visits from the 4602nd Support Wing; one inspection from the Fire Marshals Office of DUADS, and an audit from the Auditor General Staff.

    Project Status – Projects completed during the quarter were 4-1 repair Dining Hall (Airmen), 13-1 repair the heating plant, 300-2 construct salvage year and 311-1 renovate building #12 (Air Police Guard House). Projects awarded during the quarter: 33-2 paint interior of buildings #9 and #27. Projects approved during the quarter: 301-2 modify Airmen’s Lounge.

    Special Services Section:

    In this quarter’s Historical Report for Special Services, we find that there has been a complete change in personnel in this section. During the month of June, assigned to this squadron as Recreational Specialist was A/2C Richard Brown. Also assigned to this section as additional duties were 1st Lt. William West, OIC, and S/Sgt. Ray A Redziora NCOIC. Our education department is running smoothly at the present time. Completed 1 September were group study classes which began in June. A few weeks ago a class of thirteen commenced in Sioux Lookout Public High School. Enrolled in this class from the squadron, are A/1C John J Smith and A/1C Ronald Deyoe. We are expecting sometime in the near future to start group study classes again. The squadron bowling alley recently received a ball cleaner which will help keep the balls clean and prevent the alleys from getting dirty. This month the boats will be taken in from the boat docks for cleaning and repair. A/1C Danny Pierce was asked to take charge of the squadron boat dock during the latter part of September, in order to have closer control of equipment and handle the signing out of boats. The Squadron Regulation on the boat dock and equipment issue and usage is being rewritten in preparation for next season. Plans and activities for the future are: Curling, Wednesday afternoon information film program and setting up a workout room in the basement of the Multi-Purpose building which will include a steam bath, weights and other exercise equipment.

    Administrative and Personnel Section:

    During this reporting period the Personnel and Administrative sections were visited by the following inspection teams: Administrative Staff Visit by team captain, Captain Gordon E Cranford on the 17th of July 1961 (DUADS). General Inspection conducted by Major John F Ascouri, 24-25 July 1961 (30th Air Division). USAF Resident Auditor, Mr. David Drebsback (Duluth Municipal Airport) on 1-6 October 1961. Legal Assistance Visit, 10 October 1961, by Staff Judge Advocate Captain Robert L Atwood (DUADS). The following personnel from the administrative and personnel section rotated to the ZI during the month of September: 1st Lt. Glenn W Askew Jr., S/Sgt. Jackie Martin, S/Sgt. Harold Balke and SM/Sgt. Robert R King. The following personnel were reassigned to this section: Captain Joseph T O’Neill (Administrative Officer), M/Sgt. Melvin Bauer (First Sergeant), A/1C William Brown and A/2C Thomas Gigot (Administration Section).

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Thomas E Ashinhurst, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature