St. Anthony, NF

921^st AC&W Squadron
APO 864, New York, New York

James E Gable, Major

AN/FPS-3(C), 1; AN/FPS-14, 1 (Gap Filler); AN/FPS-502, 1; AN/UPA-35, 1; AN/GPS-T2, 1; AN/GPS-T2A, 1; AN/GPA-30, 1; AN/UPS-T5,1.

Command Section:

During the month of August 1961 Major James E Gable held a Dining In to honor General Harold W Neeley, Commander, 64^th Air Division. General Neely and his party were on a tour of AC&W Stations in the Pinetree Chain.

The 64^th Air Division IG Inspection Team arrived in September 1961, for their annual inspection. The unit received an overall rating of satisfactory.

Operations Section:

During the reporting period, three (3) officers, five (5) NCO’s and eleven (11) airmen returned to the ZI. Four (4) officers, nine (9) NCO’s and twelve (12) airmen reported in.

Depot level maintenance was completed on the radar and ancillary equipment with a noticeable improvement in performance. Locally generated improvements to this Direction Center included valance to seal off stray light from the upper dias, more black tape on the front of the vertical plotting board, a Battle Commander’s hand phone, an improved ICT light, and door catches for the upper dias door. A vehicle radio monitor unit was installed for use after normal duty hours. A separate radar and communications outages board was installed at the Direction Center entrance. Some improvements were a new reading lamp at the CDIF table, a new plastic projection screen for the debriefings, and a new plexi-glass top for the dias. Of particular interest was the new DEFCON board that was installed above the vertical plotting board.

In September an intensive training program was established to thoroughly indoctrinate new arrived personnel and to standardize operational policies and procedures throughout the section. This program is still under way as we enter the new quarter and additional emphasis has been placed on it by the Operations Officer.

The last part of September was devoted to an inspection by the 64^th Air Division IG Team. No operational discrepancies were noted.

Base Engineer Activities:

Power Plant – Normal operation and maintenance procedures were accomplished. OJT classes are being held for Pole Vault Power Plant personnel. Number 5 engine was top overhauled during this period. An inspection of this section was made by an inspection team with no major problem areas observed.

Heating Plant – Normal operation and maintenance was accomplished with no major problems. The floor and main walls were painted during this period. An inspection was performed by an inspection team during this period with no major problem areas observed.

Maintenance Shops – Normal preventative maintenance on buildings and utilities was performed. No major problems were observed by the inspection team during this period.

Fire Department – Normal fire prevention activities such as inspections and drills were performed. Classes were conducted as needed to indoctrinate new personnel assigned to drill teams. A fire drill was performed during this period by the inspection team, resulting in a rating of excellent. No reportable fires occurred during this period.

Transportation:

Commercial Transportation – All commercial aircraft were met during this period with no major problems occurring. Cargo, mail, and personnel moved by air during this period are as follows:

(see matrix at end of this report)

Effective 1 September 1961, the USAF Contract with Eastern Provincial Airways was renewed.

Motor Pool – Normal inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles was accomplished. An inspection by the IG Inspection Team was satisfactory.

Personnel – Major Hamilton and A/1C Kellogg departed this office for reassignment during the month of August. A/2C Moseley departed during the month of September. Captain Rudat, A/1C Roden, A/1C Chouinard and A/1C Briggs were assigned to this section during the month of August. A/3C Smith was assigned in September 1961.

Communications and Electronics:

Radar Maintenance – Depot level maintenance of prime and secondary radars completed on 12 July 1961. The overall performance of the DLM team was considered excellent. The test set for check out of SIF remote switch boxes was constructed and proved very successful in operation and savings of maintenance in man hours. Rigid radome modification was completed on 5 September 1961, with the prime radar returning to the air the same day and the radome on the FPS-502 tower was painted and caulked, job completed 8 September 1961.

Radio Maintenance – Equipment for a HF phone patch to La Scie was met, and a successful system was put into service. A new antenna was installed at the transceiver site for better HF operation. The transceiver building was rewired for power distribution, thus eliminating much of the AC noise experienced on the radio equipment. Classroom instruction was conducted throughout this period for all radio 3-level airmen.

Power supply conversion kits were received for mobile radios and are in the process of being installed.

Communication and Wire Maintenance:

Keying circuits in operations were relocated according to plan submitted by operations.

Telephone line to the town of St. Anthony was restrung along utility poles located in town.

The intercommunications throughout the squadron was connected up to all stations in offices.

Supply Section:

During the past quarter, approximately 200 tons of supplies were received during the annual resupply (SUNEC) season. An additional 25-30 tons were received for closing stations – primarily La Scie. A new method worked very well this year. Dockside warehouse was cleaned out, and small supplies taken first to dockside before being formally received, posted, and stocked.

During this period, S/Sgt. Mansfield was sent to La Scie and A/1C Manadier spent 30 days TDY playing baseball for 64^th Air Division. New personnel coming into supply were: A/1C Keller and A/1C Bahnerman.

Typed Name and grade of commander

Robert W Casey, Captain, USAF