Sioux Lookout, ON

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Report
915th AC&W Squadron
1 October 1960 to 31 December 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

915th Squadron (ADC), Sioux Lookout Air Station, 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
    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

    145

    22

    184

     
     

    Attached

    1

    3

    0

    4

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A (1 ea.), AN/TPS-502 (1 ea.).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

     

    Operations Section:

    During the month of October 1960, the Air Defense Command conducted an ORI of the 30th NORAD Region. This station had an overall rating of satisfactory with an "Outstanding" rating in Surveillance. The Duluth Sector is continuing to run Sector STP Problems. In addition to these STP Problems, crew training problems are also being conducted in order to give crews additional training. A visit was made to this station by Captain Fieder and Sgt. Baker from Duluth Sector in order to discuss the STP program and to assist this section with whatever problems might exist. This visit was beneficial to this section as well as to the Duluth Sector in resolving problem areas which had existed at that time. During this reporting period 30th Air Division (SAGE) has continued to run "Think Ahead" missions. These missions were scheduled once a month. A total of 295 intercepts were run during this mission. All directors met their annual requirements in accordance with ADCM 51-2.

    A work order request was submitted for a new States of Warnings and Alert Board. This board is now awaiting installation. The weather board and the mission data board were reaccomplished.

    A training office was established during this period for the purpose of giving the Training NCO a place to work and to file his training records.

    The Battle Staff position was built on the middle dias and moved from the upper to the middle dias.

    The Operations Office was re-arranged for better working conditions.

    Communications and Electronics:

    During the period of this report the Communications and Electronics section was subjected to three (3) inspections: 30th Air Division (SAGE), 4602nd Support Wing (ADC) and the ORI. The results varied from excellent to outstanding

    As the unit technical order files were a major discrepancy on each inspection report prior to this quarter, a formal class room training program was administered to all personnel concerned with the ordering a maintenance of technical order files.

    The UMD continues to be satisfactory with little change this quarter. One 30490 E-9 slot was deleted in October with an increase to three officers authorized effective 1 January 1961. The nine each 293X0 slots though still authorized, are expected to be deleted. Three assigned airmen of the category (293X0) are presently being cross trained to fields of their choice.

    The influx of SAGE directives supporting the programmed conversion to SAGE operation, necessitated the appointment of a SAGE project officer. The commander selected Major John P Dees for this position.

    Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) support continues to be excellent with emergency assistance rendered and sometimes completed within twenty-four hours.

    Construction of the AN/FPS-6B tower was 30% completed this period with an anticipated acceptance in early January. The HF communication equipment associated to the 293X0 career field is now pending disposition. Action for deletion from PCSP document was initiated.

    Plant in Place Records appear to be a problem area due to non-receipt of current changes after equipment modification or relocation and/or building modifications. Every effort is being made to screen six (6) cubic feet of blue-prints and correspondence in preparation for a special inspection of Plant in Place records scheduled for the next quarter.

    Unit Supply:

    Transfer of the supply account was accomplished on 7 October 1960. 1st Lt. Leigh H Stewart accepted the account from 1st Lt. George F Law who returned to the ZI upon completion of his overseas tour.

    Two ADC projects in the supply field became active in December. Project "Let Loose" is designed to eliminate excess Hi-Value items from the inventory; project "Big Divide" stresses maximum utilization of selected items of equipment. This unit is involved in both projects, their duration being 15 February and 1 April respectively. No problem areas are anticipated in accomplishing these projects as the co-operation and assistance by sections involved has been excellent.

    A complete listing of expendable supplies available for janitorial and office use has been consolidated and compiled into a supply request form. This form is now used by all sections for their weekly request of expendable supplies. In addition to simplify expendable issue, this form provides a means for monitoring consumption of supplies in each section.

    Instructions have been received from GEEIA Systems Management, Ottawa, to prepare and re-pack one AN/FPS-6B Radar Set and spares for shipment due to a change in equipment programming at this station. Necessary work has been completed and shipping instructions are forthcoming.

    Air Police Section:

    A requisition has been submitted for a Polaroid camera. Ottawa has approved the UAL change request, and we are looking forward to receiving this item.

    Remodelling of the offices in the Main Gate building has not been started as yet. The Engineers advise us that approval has been received and we only lack a few materials to start this project.

    Recent correspondence from ADC and Ottawa indicates fencing of restricted areas within the site may commence in the near future. The additional protection afforded by completion of this project will greatly improve physical security of the installation. This Section obtained a satisfactory rating in the IG inspection conducted on the site in November 1960, by 30th Air Division. There were no major discrepancies.

    Installations:

    The final quarter of the calendar year 1960 found the 915th with many projects implemented, initiated, approved or completed. It is felt that things accomplished during this quarter and in the new year to come will keep us at the Top of the Ladder in facilities and maintenance.

    A well rounded, streamlined preventative maintenance program has produced for us "excellent" ratings during inspection periods. The job is expected to increase in scope with construction of these new facilities. Aggressive maintenance is the answer and we intend to stay on top of all problem areas.

    Painting – During the quarter we were allowed a 30 day temporary overhire for six men to complete a painting project. This augmented our regular maintenance team and we intend to accomplish all exterior painting, however, adverse weather conditions forced us inside so that generally all interior painting in the domestic area has been completed with the exception of one or two buildings. We expect completion of the entire domestic area before the winter ends.

    Construction and Modification – A small aluminized building was constructed under contract to enclose the fuel pumping station that supplies fuel oil from the storage tank to the boilers and diesels. This was surely needed and now protects the pumping equipment from the vagaries of weather.

    A government contract is underway for the construction of two radar towers, expansion of the power-house building and the construction of a multi-purpose recreational building. The contract is under the supervision of Defense Construction Ltd. And two resident engineers are on site to carry out this mission. Expansion of the power-house was necessary in order to house a new boiler and meet growing heating demands. The radar towers are in the normal scheme of things to accommodate future sophisticated electronic gear.

    Construction of the multi-purpose building is well underway with completion expected sometime in March 1961.

    Contract approval has been received for the inside modification of old tower #2 to provide offices and training class rooms.

    Approval received to completely renovate the main gatehouse. This is a project we’ve been after for some time and when finished will present to the visitor a small efficient facility with plenty of eye-appeal.

    Repair of the overhead electrical distribution system is continuing with progress considered satisfactory.

    Approval for a much needed retaining wall behind the motor pool has been received. It is hoped this will be the cure for the erosion of soils during the heavy summer rains.

    Recently our workmen constructed and installed a laboratory work bench for the Dental Lab. This is complete with drawers, plumbing and large bench area covered with attractive arborite.

    In conclusion several small projects have been approved during the quarter and this includes among other things the construction of a ramp shelter at the supply warehouse.

    In all this has been a fairly busy end of the year 1960 with things moving rather smoothly. As mentioned, the new facilities will mean a stepped up maintenance program and only the future can tell how well we progress in this area.

    Food Service Section:

    No major problems were existent during this reporting period.

    The only problem we have at the present time is the shortage of personnel. Inquiries have been made to the 30th Air Division and we were informed that we would receive one airman in January 1961 and one airman in March 1961. At the present time we are short two personnel.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Thomas E Ashinhurst, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature