Sioux Lookout, ON

915^th Squadron (ADC), Sioux Lookout Air Station, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada

Thomas E Ashinhurst, Lt. Colonel, USAF

AN/FPS-20A (1 ea.), AN/TPS-502 (1 ea.).

On 15 July 1959, Lt. Colonel Thomas E Ashinhurst assumed command of this organization.

The overall operation and morale has improved throughout the squadron due to changes in authorized strength and assignment of new personnel. All sections except Operations and C&E, were manned to full strength. Operations and C&E were under authorized strength by 14 and 25 percent respectively, but no problems of morale were created by the additional work load.

The Inspector General’s Office of Headquarters 30^th Air Division (SAGE) conducted its annual inspection during the month of August. All sections received a satisfactory report, but some errors were noted in the area of administrative procedures. Corrective action was thus initiated.

Major Gates W McCauley was assigned as Operations Officer after the rotation of Major Ronis N Stevens. The operations section was notified by messages from the 30^th Air Division (SAGE) that this squadron would come under the operational control of the Duluth ADS on 15 November 1959. Training was initiated for furnishing surveillance information to the same. Plans for communications with the Duluth ADS were formulated after Major McCauley visited the organization. During this reporting period, twenty-four Systems Training Missions and twelve Big Blast Missions were conducted. There were few actual intercepts due to the associate fighter interceptor Squadron running SAGE testing with the Duluth ADS.

All test equipment in C&E was overhauled and calibrated by the C&E IRAN team. The same team completed an overhaul of all UHF and HF equipment at the transmitter and receiver buildings. The SIF equipment was installed and accepted. A complete overhaul of the teletype equipment was accomplished by the CAE team. The radio maintenance section built a nine channel radio-monitor amplifier for installation in operations. During the period of this report numerous maintenance difficulties were experienced in the radar maintenance section with the AN/FPS-20A equipment. The oil pressure lubrication system was unstable, and had been since installation of the new equipment. As a result of this problem a UR was submitted by this section recommending that an oil pressure relief valve be installed as a temporary measure. A modification kit of a relief valve was received from the factory and installed, which corrected and alleviated this problem. Difficulties with the AN/FPS-502 motor generator were encountered due to a large amount of vibration. A modification kit consisting of braces for the generator motor was received and installed which corrected this problem. The major maintenance and supply problems are due to the non-existence of certain replacements parts for the AN/FPS-20A equipment in Canada. During this reporting period a constant fluctuation of power was experienced, resulting in interference in the radar sections. Depot assistance was requested. A team was sent to investigate and correct the difficulty. The resulting check showed that the twenty horsepower air conditioning motor used for cooling the operations building was causing the trouble. It was recommended by CAE that an automatic voltage compensator be installed to correct the difficulty. As a temporary measure, the motor operated manually awaiting the arrival of the automatic control.

A supply warehouse was completed which will allow the present IEO building to be razed and subsequently provide new quarters for installations in the building presently occupied by supply personnel. A new deep well has been put down to a depth of seventy-six feet into coarse water bearing sands.

The old well at fifty-five feet after many years was unable to provide water in the amounts needed because of strainer stoppage due to the nature of the sand strata at this depth. An addition to the garbage utility room has been completed. This has done away with the previously cramped area used for garbage storage and steam cleaning and provides a more efficient and sanitary operation.

The following officers were upgraded from AFSC 1741 to 1744: Captain John S Willoughby, Lt. Joseph A Wilmer, and Lt. Walter S Foster. The following airmen were upgraded from AFSC 27330A to 27350A: A/2C Vernon W Triplett and A/3C Patrick L Emery.

The following airmen received promotions as follows: S/Sgt. Alfred P Landry to T/Sgt.; S/Sgt. Paul L Ortiz to T/Sgt.; A/1C Kenneth W Yost to S/Sgt.; A/2C James A Cobb to A/1C; A/2C Duncan B Pringle to A/1C; A/3C Veachel W Cloyd to A/2C; A/3C Arnold N Gavette to A/2C; A/3C OL Nix to A/2C; A/3C Oula Kanto to A/2C; and A/3C Irvin B Levine to A/2C.

The following airmen received the Airman of the Month Award for the months of July, August and September: A/1C James Hollister, A/1C Alvin E Foster, and A/1C Duncan B Pringle respectively.

Thomas E Ashinhurst, Lt. Colonel, USAF