Stephenville, Labrador

1963 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 April 1963 to 30 June 1963

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

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

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Logan C Atterbury, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 640 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, APO 864, New York, New York

    Goose Air Defense Sector, Goose Air Base, Labrador
    26th Air Division, 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 the area of assignment as outlined in (ADC) (RCAF) ASI 3/4/3, and function as a NORAD Control Center within the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    18

    162

    23

    203

     
     

    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-3 A/G UHF Radio Transmitter, Classified GRT-7 A/G UHF Radio Receiver, 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, 1 each AN/GPA-30, 1 each AN/GPS-T2A, 6 each 0A-175 PPI, 2 each UPA-35 PPI, 8 each 0A-99 PPI, 1 each AN/GPS-T-4 trainer.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    On 16 May 1963, Part II of the NORAD wide STM, Desk Top V, was conducted. On 22 and 23 May, Operations participated in the 64th Air Division Tactical Evaluation. The 640th AC&W Squadron received an overall rating of excellent. In June 1963 work began in remodelling the Operations Room. The surveillance scopes are to be relocated on the dias immediately behind the WAO and Senior Director. A passageway will be built on one side of the Operations Room to permit entry to and from the floor level of the Operations Room and the Briefing Room. On 28 June 1963 Major Loring B Smith became the Operations Officer, vice Lt. Colonel Logan C Atterbury, who assumed command of the squadron.

    Security:

    On 22 June 1963 Major Allan R McLane replaced Captain Joseph L Valenti as Security Officer. The Squadron Firing Range was remodelled, increasing the firing points from six to ten. A Squadron Drill Team was formed with T/Sgt. Elmer C Karczewaski, NCOIC Security, as Drill Master.

    Communications:

    The Communications Center initiated and completed a project to rearrange the teletype and on-line security equipment. This included manufacturing a shelf mounted on two wall brackets strong enough to support the sensitive security gear. As a result of wall mounting the security equipment, adequate space was freed for rearranging the positioning of the two M-19 teletype machines and the printing reperforator equipment. The overall result was a much improved appearance, and definite improvement of communications operation center working conditions. Another was a wall mounted hinged shelf on which to mount the numerous telephone directories utilized for switchboard operator information. The Wire Maintenance Section is presently involved in the removing and relocation of numerous ten line key units in the Operations Section. In addition, this section is working with the civilian contractor on the installation of the new direct cable between the 640th AC&W Squadron and Ernest Harmon AFB. A ventilation system was installed in the Radio Maintenance Section reducing the excessive heat experienced in the equipment room. Also, three conductor AC wall receptacles were installed in compliance with TO 33-1-501 and TO 33-1-502. The MARS Station beam antenna, which was damaged by a severe wind storm, was repaired and reinstalled.

    Radar Maintenance:

    This Section has painted the second floor of the AN/FPS-6B Tower. In addition, the Section is in process of relocating all scopes in the Operations Section. The estimated completion date is 31 July 1963.

    Civil Engineering:

    The Civil Engineering Section completed the covered walkway to the Dining Hall. Two overhire painters were assigned and the interior of Building #1532 was repainted and the corridors of #1530 were also repainted. Contracts were awarded for construction of new roofs on Buildings #1503, #1522, and for repainting buildings #1503, #1522, #1560, #1570, #1526, and #1528. Two positions in Civil Engineering Shops (1 Electrician and 1 Plumber) were deleted effective 30 June 1963. Two positions (1 plumber and 1 carpenter) were converted to building maintenance mechanics.

    Food Service:

    New equipment received included a bread dispenser and two new pastry boxes. This section received distinguished guests, Colonel Milner and Colonel Macomber of Goose Air Defense Sector.

    Unit Supply:

    All stock level and re-order points on electronic spares in Technical Supply have been screened to ensure proper levels being maintained. This project revealed a considerable number of excesses which were pulled and processed to Goose Air Base, the dollar value of this property was approximately $9,000.00. A large back log of items were discovered in Base Supply, Ernest Harmon AFB, awaiting funds for procurement. Coordination with the Base Supply Officer and Financial Services Officer, Ernest Harmon AFB, resulted in the immediate requisitioning of equipment and spares values at approximately $50,000.00 required by the 640th AC&W Squadron.

    Personnel:

    During this period the Squadron has experienced a large turnover of key personnel. The key personnel losses are as follows: Lt. Colonel CE Hall, Commander; Captain CE Mahaffee, Senior Director; Captain JL Valenti, Personnel Officer; CM/Sgt. CS Richardson, NCOIC Operations; SM/Sgt. DJ Schaffner, NCOIC Communications Center; SM/Sgt. JO Swafford, NCOIC Operations Training. Key personnel assigned were: Major LB Smith, Operations Officer; Major AR McClane, Personnel Officer; Captain FT Christie, Assistant Operations Officer; Captain VJ Carlino, Senior Director; SM/Sgt. D Depasquale, NCOIC Operations; SM/Sgt. FJ Scaramucci, NCOIC Operations Training. Airman promotions were as follows: S/Sgt’s. Ellis, Blalock and Shelby to T/Sgt.; A/2C’s Cook, Gibgles and Banks to A/1C; A/3C’s Williamson and Wood to A/2C.

    Awards and Decorations:

    ADC Commendation Certificates were presented to: Captain JL Valenti, Captain CE Mahaffee, Captain HL Brame, Captain WD Mortine, CM/Sgt. WC Hodgson, T/Sgt. RL Williams, T/Sgt. GE Shannon, S/Sgt. GE Boehmer, A/1C RH Durrenberger and A/1C RE Glover.

    Morale:

    This Squadron held a command ceremony on 28 June 1963. Lt. Colonel Logan C Atterbury relieved Lt. Colonel Charles E Hall as Squadron Commander. In attendance were Colonel Sullivan of Goose Air Defense Sector and party. The 640th AC&W Drill Team performed during the ceremonies. The morale of the Squadron has remained at the highest level possible.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Logan C Atterbury, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature