St. Anthony, NF

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
921st AC&W Squadron
St. Anthony, NF
1 October 1962 to 31 December 1962

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

921st AC&W Squadron
APO 370, New York, NY

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

James E Cashman, Major

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Air Defense Command

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • Authority: Goose Air Defense Regulation 20-4, 6 September 1960.

    Mission: The mission of the 921st AC&W Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within assigned area of responsibility as outlined in ADC (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3, and function as a Direction center in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    12

    97

    31

    140

     
     

    Attached

             
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-3(C), 1; AN/FPS-502, 1; AN/UPS-35, 1; AN/GPS-T2, 1; AN/GPA-30, 1; AN/GPS-T2A, 1; AN/UPS-T5, 1.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Command Section:

    A Dining-In was held in December. Honored guest was Colonel Victor Milner, Commander of Goose Air Defense Sector. President of the Mess was Major Cashman. Other guests were Lt. Col. Hall, Commander of the 640th AC&W Squadron, Lt. Col. Aberson, Commander of the 641st AC&W Squadron, S/L Patterson of the 226th AC&W Squadron, F/L Vickers, Captain Brame, F/L Mallaliew, F/O Boulding, Major Bolton, Major Anton, and Mr. Nicholson. The Air Force Commendation Certificate was presented to Captain Jon A Morrill by Colonel Milner.

    The squadron received a visit from the US Consulate General, Mr. Homer Lanford, St. John’s, Newfoundland, on 27 July 1962. Accompanying Mr. Lanford was Mrs. Lanford, Naval Captain (Doctor) and Mrs. Spencer and a young travelling companion, Miss Heather Brooks-Hill.

    In November, the section received a satisfactory rating by the 64th IG Team, headed by Major David E Garwood. The squadron received Outstanding ratings in the following areas: (1) General Physical Appearance and Housekeeping. (2) Unit Morale. (3) The Community Relationship with St. Anthony.

    First Lieutenant Robert A Bivens was reassigned to the ZI and replaced by First Lieutenant Richard S Wilson as Administrative Officer. In addition to the loss of Lt. Bivens, S/Sgt. Garrett T Burns was returned to the ZI and replaced by S/Sgt. Malcolm L McDaniel as Personnel Technician.

    In December, a Christmas party was held for the children of the Grenfell Mission Orphanage. The party and gifts were possible through the contributions received at the Firemen’s Ball held in the Motor Pool in October.

    Operations Section:

    During this reporting period the section had three NCO’s and three airmen return to the ZI (PCS). We gained 1 officer, five NCO’s, and 6 four airmen. Captain Jon Morrill, the new Weapons Controller, was evaluated and returned to combat ready skilled status during the period. SM/Sgt. James L Jones reported in from Aiken AFS, South Carolina, and will assume the duties of NCOIC, 1 January 1963. One of the airmen gained is the section Illustrator, A/1C Zeigler. We are up to authorized strength in officers and three airmen short, in accordance with the UMD.

    This section was inspected by the 64th IG Team the first part of November and was rated outstanding in appearance and satisfactory overall. In preparation for the inspection, all offices and office equipment were painted in October.

    Training continued as planned during the quarter. All directors met academic and intercept training requirements. We trained, evaluated, and qualified 6 intercept control technicians. Crew training was conducted and all personnel were tested twice each month. One airman completed OJT and was tested in December.

    During the quarter we participated in three live missions, three Category IV STM’s, five Category III STM’s, and six Category II STM’s. Everything ran smoothly from here during all missions.

    Base Engineer Activities:

    The Civil Engineering activities for this quarter were highlighted by the fine rating received from the 64th Air Division IG Team and the completion of many projects. Stateside Construction Company completed the following four O&M projects:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    These projects satisfy longstanding requirements and will greatly improve the operation of the various areas. The Mobile Maintenance Team completed projects for the rehab and repair of the Base Theater, the Bowling Alley, and the BX. The outstanding job done on each of these projects has made each facility a great asset to the personnel utilizing them and a source of pride for the station. There were no major discrepancies discovered in civil engineering by the 64th IG Team. One minor discrepancy was corrected on the spot. In addition, the Power Plant received an outstanding rating and all other utilities were found to be in excellent condition. The Civil Engineering Shop forces were engaged in preventive maintenance activities. All the corridors and rooms were painted. About 60% of the labor was "self-help". In addition, the Officers Club patio was completely virtually in its entirety by "self-help". Canadian Marconi installed a new water pump and completed top overhaul of diesel units 1, 8 and 9.

    Fire Department – This quarter was highlighted by Fire Prevention week, which was conducted jointly with the town of St. Anthony. Training films were shown and a poster contest was conducted. The week was culminated with the Firemen’s Ball, the proceeds of which were donated to the new high school in town for a movie projector. The training of the fire fighting teams has progressed satisfactorily. An inspection was conducted by the Harmon Fire Department, with no major discrepancies being discovered. Minor discrepancies were corrected on the spot. The station had one smoking-in-bed incident involving a civilian contractor employee. The individual paid the $37.00 loss and departed the station immediately.

    Transportation – Normal vehicle maintenance was accomplished during this quarter. Total miles on the vehicle miles for the quarter was 16,032, with 2,532 gallons of gas being used for an average of 6.5 miles per gallon. Considerable difficulty is still being experienced in obtaining parts for deadlined equipment. The front end loader and one D-8 tractor have been out for a considerable time. The second D-8 tractor was received in a non-serviceable condition. As a result, the new snow removal plan of this station is in jeopardy. Three re-supply trips were completed with 25,000 pounds of cargo and supplies being brought in. Contract airlift was accomplished by EPA with the PBY aircraft. During the quarter the following quantities were flown by air:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    The DHC-Otter resumed operations on 15 December. S/Sgt. G Brinkley rotated to the ZI and was replaced by A/1C Richard Flenoury.

    Communications and Electronics:

    General – In addition to normal maintenance and operational activities, the following special projects and activities were initiated, continued and/or completed during the months of October, November and December 1962.

    During October, two members of the Marconi DLM Team returned to complete the overhaul on the ancillary equipment. A complete overhaul on the AN/UPX-6 and the AN/GPX-7A was accomplished.

    During November, S</Sgt. Cumberledge, S/Sgt. Abramowitz and Airman Barlow attended a briefing at GADS on AFM 66-1. This is a new revision of the manual and went into effect 1 December. Classes have been held for all maintenance personnel to familiarize them with all the latest changes. This training will continue until our error rate in reporting on AFTO Form 210’s and 211’s is below 2%.

    All the discrepancies discovered during the Pre-IG Staff visit from GADS were satisfactorily corrected prior to the arrival of the 64th AD IG Team. The team arrived during the second week in November. There were six minor discrepancies written up during this inspection. Final action has been completed on all of these discrepancies.

    Radar Maintenance – During this quarter, this section has hit an all time low in personnel. The UMD authorizes two M/Sgt.’s, one T/Sgt., and four S/Sgt.’s. These positions are filled by one S/Sgt. and six A/1C’s. The section is authorized three seven level technicians with none assigned. Despite this critical shortage of personnel, the section has accomplished an outstanding job in maintenance.

    Radio Maintenance – Major repairs have been required on an AN/GRC-27 during this reporting period. Parts are on order to complete this repair. The AS-1097 antennas have been received. The installation will be made when Marconi sends in an installation team, probably early next spring.

    Wire Maintenance – Mr. Evans completed construction and installation of a security lock on the door of the FPS-502 tower. Airman Turley has been reassigned to the Wire Section as an outside plant maintenance man.

    C&E Gains and Losses: (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    Supply:

    The following personnel are newly assigned: A/2C Donald W Stevens and A/3C David D Field. The following personnel have been reassigned: T/Sgt. Anthony Laielli and A/1C Gene Blackburn.

    The Supply activities were highlighted by the outstanding rating received from the 64th General Inspection.

    The SUNEC Annual Resupply Listings have been submitted. Corrected E/AID Listings for the months of October and November have been submitted to HQ ADC.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    James E Cashman, Major, USAF

    Signature

     

    Stateside Construction Company Projects

    ANT 1-2

    Repair Incinerator

    ANT 3-2

    Repair Sanitary Facility

    ANT 8-2

    Alter Covered Walkway

    ANT 12-2

    Alter Heating Plant

    Air Transportation Statistics

    Personnel (In)

    123

    Personnel (Out)

    108

    Mail (In)

    5,515 lbs.

    Mail (Out)

    2,181 lbs.

    Cargo (In)

    39,629 lbs.

    Cargo (Out)

    20,281 lbs.

    C&E Gains and Losses

    Arrivals

    Arrivals

    Departures

    Departures

    Captain Sylvis

    S/Sgt. Weaver

    Captain Kapsa

    S/Sgt. Flake

    A/1C Connolly

    A/1C Turpin

    S/Sgt. Parris

    S/Sgt. Derixon

    A/1C Reinmiller

    A/1C Mesterton

    A/1C Munoz

    A/1C Martin

    A/1C House

    A/1C Harwell

    A/1C Lisk

    A/1C Crump

    A/1C Edwards

    A/2C James

    A/1C Downing

    A/1C Altman

    A/2C Anderson

    A/2C Weiner

    A/1C Szepal

    A/1C Sill

    A/2C Coen

    A/2C Funderburk

    A/1C DiJulio