Stephenville, Labrador

1965– Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 July 1965to 30 September 1965

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

640th AC&W Squadron
APO New York 09864

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

William F Will Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, APO New York 09864
    Goose Air Defense Sector, Goose Air Force Base, Labrador
    26th Air Division, Stewart Air Force Base, New York
    Air Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, 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

    15

    130

    19

    164

     
     

    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, 6 GRC-27 A/G UHF Radio, 6 GRT-3 A/G UHF Radio Transmitter, 6 GRR-7 A/G UHF Radio Receiver, 4 FRT-502 A/G Radio Transmitter, 7 URG-60 A/G UHF Receiver.
    Radar – 1 each AN/EDS-91A, 1 each AN/FPS-90, 1 each AN/GPX-7A, 1 each AN/GPX-14, 1 each AN/GPA-30, 1 each AN/GPS-T2A, 6 each 0A-175 PPI, 4 each UPA-35 PPI, 2 each 0A-99 PPI, 1 each AN/GPS-T-4, 1 each AN/GPS-T2, 2 each OA/929, 3 each RD-142A.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Operations:

    Modification of the Search Radar was begun on 4 September 1965 and was completed on 19 September 1965. During this period, Operations were conducted by the 226th AC&W Squadron with this station acting as Back-up with minimum manning. Crew personnel were utilized in general clean up of Operations; assisting in Squadron details and cross training visits to the 226th AC&W Squadron. During this period the TAC Mission DATA and Weather Status Boards were re-accomplished by M/Sgt. Bell and A/3C Sylvester. A complete set of briefings, both 35 MM and 8 ½ by 10 transparencies were accomplished during this reporting period. During this period, 5,102 Flight Plans were processed and 11,944 tracks (Southern Complex) were initiated and reported. Exercise MUTE XV was conducted for our NORAD ORE was satisfactory results, on 23 July 1965. Exercise SAGA XX was conducted for our ADC ORI with satisfactory results, on 12 August 1965. This station participated in one Bi-Region and two Sector LIVE exercises; also one Multi-Region, one Bi-Region, one Region and two Sector SSTM'’. Gains during this period were: 3 Officers and 14 enlisted.

    Communications and Electronics Maintenance:

    Major Maurice T Dobbs assumed the duties of C-E Maintenance Supervisor on 1 August 1965, concurrent with the departure of Major Robert A Gould. The new Communications Officer, 1st Lt. Richard J Grybko arrived on station. Material Control completed an inventory of Bench Stock and minimum Level Spares, excesses were identified and turned in and shortages were requisitioned. Rewiring of the outside plant intra-site communications lines was approximately 75% completed. Work on the AN/FPS-90 Tower to prepare it for relocation of the Air/Ground/Air Radios was almost halted due to lack of personnel and materials. This construction is being accomplished by Squadron Civil Engineering personnel. On 30 August 1965, the Crypto Center received the annual Command Crypto Inspection. Two discrepancies were found and corrected immediately. In September 1965, a thorough self inspection of Training Control was completed. Seven (7) personnel attended a 13 day school held on the AN/UPX-14 Interrogator set by GADS personnel. The modification to convert the AN/FPS-20A to the AN/FPS-91A (TCTO31P6-2FPS20-583) was completed on 18 September 1965. The Depot Level Maintenance was performed by Canadian Marconi Company.

    Unit Supply:

    During the period of this report, the supply warehouse was rearranged to facilitate larger quantities of bulk storage and personnel baggage containers. A Host-Tenant Support Agreement was received from HQ, GADS and is in the final stages of coordination with Ernest Harmon AFB. Estimated completion date is 15 October 1965. A six month plus stock of critical shortage items experienced during the last two Winter seasons will be acquired and on-hand by November. The following personnel changes occurred during this period: Outgoing personnel: Major Zentz (PCS), M/Sgt. Prather (PCS), A/1C Hill (PCS). Incoming personnel: 1st Lt. McHaney, A/1C Debuhr, A/2C Spears, and A/2C Williamson who was loaned to Material Control.

    Food Service:

    During this period, this section had a loss of five personnel and a gain of five personnel. Loses were: S/Sgt. Mallon, S/Sgt. King, A/1C Davidson, A/2C Butts, and A/2C Powderly. Gains were: T/Sgt. Whitener, S/Sgt. Kennedy, A/1C Traweek, A/1C Duncil, and A/2C Kowicki. We now have nine (9) personnel assigned which is our authorized strength. Many improvements were completed in both dining room and kitchen. Storm windows were installed on all windows and two exit doors were replaced. New stainless steel tables were installed on one end of the dishwashing machine; one additional table is required to complete this project. New tile was also installed on the kitchen wall. We experienced no difficulty in operating within the prescribed monetary allowance during this period and received many favorable comments on both food and appearance of the dining facility. During the month of July, this section was selected as the best dining facility in the Goose Sector. 26th Air Division Evaluation was conducted also in July and we were selected as first runner-up. A trophy was presented to Lt. Colonel Will during the month of September by General Burke.

    Security:

    Losses and gains (personnel) 5 July 1965. S/Sgt. Wayne E Hall was reassigned to Laughlin AFB, Texas, normal rotation. On 9 July 1965, S/Sgt. Everett J Williams was assigned to this section. This brought the assigned strength to five. An Honor Guard was formed to present honors to Colonel Burke, Sector Commander. The Air Police performed the Color Guards under the supervision of 1st Lt. Gilbert. An honor Guard was formed to present honors to General Burke, Sector Commander and General Austin, 26th Air Division Commander. Air Police performed the Color Guard under the supervision of 1st Lt. Biddle.

    Civil Engineer Section:

    A number of improvements have been completed by O&M contracts, including: both boilers in the central heating plant were reinsulated and covered; several modifications and repairs were completed in the dining hall; repairs of overhead electric distribution line was completed, and the new Multi-Purpose recreation building is now 70% complete. Other accomplishments: The summer maintenance cycle is completed; all engines in the power plant were checked and winterized; the broken heating coil in the water storage tank was repaired; the upper POL tank was cleaned, repaired and refilled; the leaks in the POL line were also repaired; temporary repairs to the station access road and guard rail have been accomplished by Harmon Civil Engineering personnel; fertilizer was spread on improved ground areas; and the anemometer was installed on "B" barracks.

    Transportation:

    Significant occurrences during the period 1 July through 30 September 1965, were as follows: Dump truck (62B13553) had engine and clutch rebuilt by contract maintenance; gasoline pump was overhauled by Harmon POL Shop; Pickup (60B1010) has been completely cleaned and all paint touched up, inside and out; the clutch was replaced in the bus (62B11055); all vehicles were winterized; a new transfer case was installed on vehicle 62B1347, 2 ½ ton cargo truck. It is now fully operational in 4-wheel drive.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    William F Will Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature