Stephenville, Labrador

1963 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 January 1963 to 31 March 1963

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

640th AC&W Squadron
APO 864, NY, NY

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Charles E Hall, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Goose Air Defense Sector, Goose AB, Labrador
    64th Air Division Defense, Stewart AFB, New York
    Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, Colorado

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • The mission of the 640thAC&W Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within area of assignment as outlined in (ADC) (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3, and function as a Master Direction Center within the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    16

    147

    24

    187

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Radio Telephone – 1 each FTA-13 Telephone Plant, 2 each M-19 Teletype Machines, Classified GRC-27 A/G UHF Radio, Classified GRT-2 A/G UHF Radio, Classified FRT-502 A/G Radio Transmitter, Classified URG-60 A/G UHF Receiver.
    Radar – 1 each AN/FPS-20A, 1 each AN/FPS-6B, 1 each AN/GPX-7A IFF/SIF, 1 each AN/GPA-30, 6 each 0A-175 PPI, 2 each UPA-35 PPI, 8 each 0A-99 PPI, 1 each AN/GPS-T2A trainer, 1 each AN/GPS-T-4 trainer.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    No major problems were encountered. A work load summary shows that 3,319 flight plans were received for a daily average of 36.7 per day. We also processed an average of 43.2 tracks daily. 15 system training missions were conducted with excellent results, and we participated in five "live" Region Exercises. The "Self Help" renovating program is continuing with improvements. At present the Briefing Room and room adjacent are being completely remodelled and when completed will present more seating room and provide outstanding briefing facilities. Key personnel losses during the period were Major Herbert A Ford, Captain Bernard R Prior, and Captain Alvin H Bruder. Key gains included a new Operations Officer. New key personnel were Lt. Colonel Logan C Attebury, Major Loring B Smith and CWO W3 Marvin H Riley.

    Security:

    During the visit of General Lee, 28 February and General Terrill, 21 March the Air Police Section performed duties as Color Guard. The Air Police Section received First Place Award during the February Inspection.

    Civil Engineering:

    During the reporting period, 1 electrician, Mr. McFarlan, was assigned to replace Mr. Delaney, deceased. Mr. Gaudet was assigned to replace Mr. Gale, heavy equipment operator. The FY 62 O&M projects were completed. Construction of a covered entrance to the Dining Hall was started and completion delayed due to weather conditions. Severe winds damaged the roof on building 1532 and damaged building 1533 structurally.

    Communications:

    Radio Maintenance – The interior of the Transceiver building was painted by Radio Maintenance personnel. A patch panel with 3 remote control units (0-806) was installed in the Maintenance Control Center. This panel provides the facility for backing up UHF and VHF primary radio equipment from this remote location. Radio Maintenance work schedule was changed from 24 hour shift work to single shift. This scheduling made possible reduction of personnel to 6 men. Manufacture of a monitor box was completed for Operations. This unit provides control and monitoring of 6 radio channels. A AN/GRC-27 multi-channel UHF set was installed in the Maintenance Control Center. This unit provides emergency back-up in the event there is a loss of communication between Operations and the Transceiver Station.

    Wire Maintenance – The buried cable between the main frame and the Transceiver became shorted requiring replacement by a new cable in January. A Debriefing circuit was installed in the Operations Section. Disposition of M-19 Teletype sets was received and shipping was completed during March. An Air to Ground Monitor Box was installed in Operations:

    Communications Operations – The authorization of 291X0 personnel to man the Communications Center was reduced from eleven to nine personnel. A request for reconsideration and authorization of ten personnel has been submitted to Goose ADS.

    Personnel:

    Lt. Colonel Logan C Attebury arrived 13 January 1963. Presently he is performing duties as Operations Officer and will replace Lt. Colonel Charles E Hall as Commander in June 1963. Key personnel losses during this period were Captain Prior, a Senior Director, reassigned to the 4420th Combat Support Group (TAC), Eglin AFB, Florida and Captain Bruder, a Senior Director, reassigned to the 455th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ADC), Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan. The following personnel were promoted: A/1C Sorrell, Ahlgren, and Merholz to Staff Sergeant; A/2C Bax, Gray, Wilder, Marshall, Scheiber and Zubajlo to Airman First Class. An ADC Commendation Certificate was presented to Colonel Hall for the Squadron. The presentation was made by Colonel Milner at the Dining In 22 March 1963.

    Morale:

    This squadron is proud that we had the only Honor Guard for our guests, General Lee and Terrill provided for them during their tour of Stations and Bases during this reporting period. The morale of the squadron is still at the highest peak possible.

    Food Service:

    At a Squadron Dining-In, 22 March 1963, Colonel Milner presented an ADC Commendation Certificate to the Stephenville Air Station Dining Hall for having twice won 64th Air Division Hennessey Awards.

    Unit Supply:

    Twenty-two chest of drawers have been refinished through Ernest Harmon Contract Maintenance. This project has greatly improved appearance of the barracks. A Bench Stock has been established for office and cleaning supplies which after an initial phasing in seems to be working to our satisfaction. At the Squadron Dining-In on 22 March, Colonel Milner presented an ADC Commendation to M/Sgt. HE Wiegand, NCOIC of Supply for outstanding achievements in his work.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Charles E Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

    Signature