Stephenville, Labrador

1967 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 October 1967 to 31 December 1967

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

640th AC&W Squadron
APO NY, 09864

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Paul D Werner, Lt. Colonel, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 640th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, APO New York 09864

    37th Air Division, Goose Air Force Base, Labrador
    1st Air Force, 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 primary mission of the 640thAC&W Squadron is early warning, through Radar Surveillance. This Squadron has been designated a NORAD Surveillance Site in accordance with NORAD unclassified message NOOP-E, 061553Z, December 1967.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    5

    103

    57

    165

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Radio Telephone – 1 FTA-13, 2 M-19, 4 GRC-27, 8 GRT-3, 8 GRR-7, 3 FRT-502, 4 URG-60, 1 AN/TIQ-3, 3 RD-142.
    Radar – 1 AN/FPS-93A, 1 AN/FPS-90, 1 AN/GPX-7A, 1 AN/GPX-14, 1 AN/GPA-30, 1 AN/GPS-T2A, 6 GPA-127, 1 AN/GPS-T4, 2 OA-99, 5 UPA-35.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Commanders:

    Lt. Colonel Howard M Namur departed PCS 8 February with Lt. Colonel Paul D Werner assuming command at that time. An audit was requested 7 February and conducted by USAF Resident Auditor, Goose AB, from 17 to 27 February. A Ground Safety Certificate of achievement was received 6 March in recognition of no reportable accidents during the period 1 January 1966 to 31 December 1967. Morale at the 640th AC&W Squadron continues to be above average for a remote site.

    Operations:

    During this quarter the Operations Section manning has been reduced from 67 to 21 personnel. SM/Sgt. Allen W Mobley arrived 11 February and assumed duties as NCOIC Operations; replacing CM/Sgt. Harry Geno who departed 15 December 1967. T/Sgt. Robert Schenkeloerg, formerly "Bravo" Crew Chief, replaced T/Sgt. Wade Fink as Operations Training NCOIC. T/Sgt. Fink departed PCS 23 March. The Operations Section participated in four live training exercises and twelve simulated training exercises. These provided invaluable training in all phases of surveillance systems and disaster control functions at the local level. Operations received a 37th Air Division Staff Assistance visit during March and many helpful recommendations were received and put into effect at that time. Unit Training moved from office in the BOQ to the former office of the Operations Officer on 18 March. This brought Unit Training into closer proximity to the greater number of personnel in training at the 640th.

    CEM Maintenance:

    Captain Arthur M Spellman departed PCS 19 March. SM/Sgt. James D Hibbard assumed duties as CEM Maintenance Officer at that time. M/Sgt. Clarence J Crocker assumed duties as Maintenance Control Center Superintendent. The following key personnel departed PCS and their duties were assumed by the personnel indicated:

    (see the matrix at the end of this report)

    M/Sgt. Dauman arrived 9 March and assumed duties as Radio Maintenance Work Center Supervisor. S/Sgt. Bryan arrived 13 March and assumed duties as Radar Maintenance Work Center Supervisor. A 37th Air Division Quality Control Inspection was conducted during the period of 10 to 15 January. All maintenance areas received a satisfactory rating. Disposition instructions were received for the AN/FPS-T4 Target Simulator and the equipment which was removed and prepared for shipment. ADC directed reinstallation of equipment which was subsequently reinstalled. One channel of VHF radio equipment was deleted and disposition instructions were requested. Nine non-tactical vehicular radios, including a base station, were replaced by four portable transceiver units. Emergency depot maintenance assistance was accomplished on the AN/FPS-90 Height Radar 12 March. Problems were encountered with the pulse transformer and three failed before repair was effected.

    Station Support:

    Bench stock levels were completely reviewed during the entire quarter and all excess items were returned to Goose AB Supply. There were a total of 119 line items returned as excess. Mr. James Caul was upgraded from LW-4 stock handler, to LW-6, Warehouseman, on 25 February. One Clerk Typist, AFSC 70230, was authorized by the UMD change received 7 March. Operation "Loggy Pine", semi-annual resupply, is now 91% completed. All CACRL’s have been inventoried, reviewed and changes have been forwarded to the 95th Supply Squadron, Goose AB for corrective action. Signed listing are anticipated as being completed and returned to Base Supply by 1 May. POV gas sales were suspended 17 January due to contract termination; however, negotiation has been reinitiated and positive results are expected within the near future. T/Sgt. Ernest Pickle arrived 7 February and replaced S/Sgt. Glen Mayfield as Food Services Supervisor. Meal service on weekends has been changed to Cafeteria style with six different menus as a choice. Variety during the week consists of three different selections of menus per meal. A marked improvement in all phases of Food Service has been noted.

    Civil Engineering:

    Two 100 Kilowatt diesel generators were removed from building 1562 and shipped to Tinker AFB. These units were formerly used as back-up power for a tropospheric scatter radio system which is no longer used at this station. Dismantling and removal was accomplished by an 8th Air Force Mobile Maintenance Team assigned to Goose AB. Final shipment was completed 29 March. The water storage facility (45,000 gallons) is now 70% completed. Final completion is expected in July when inside and outside painting can be done. Winter weather this quarter presented no major problems in site snow removal on access road maintenance as at no time was the access road closed for longer than a four hour period. During March, a 100 amperage service entrance panel was installed in the NCO Club and all existing temporary wiring was replaced. This service replaced existing 60 ampere panel which was inadequate. Four minor construction and four maintenance and repair projects were submitted to 37th Air Division for approval. All maintenance and repair projects were approved and processed for materials and scheduling. The minor construction projects were forwarded to 1st Air Force for approval. Six fire team drill were held during the quarter. All were successful and valuable training in fire fighting procedures was realized. The Motor Pool salvaged a ¾ ton pickup 25 March and received a new 1 ton pickup 17 March.

    Recreation Services:

    During this quarter the 640th basketball team won the 37th Air Division playoffs. The team then represented the 37th Air Division at the 1st Air Force Championships but failed to reach the finals. A Volleyball League, composed of four teams, was formed 1 March with league play starting 7 March. During March, individual fly-tying/casting and golf lessons have been inaugurated. As the seasons for these activities grows near a heavy participation is anticipated. Mr. Roland, Recreation Services Director, contacted the Canadian Department of Fisheries for guidance in forming a 640th Rod and Gun Club. Thirty personnel have shown a desire for membership in such a club. Assistance in forming a club has been forthcoming and all regulations, techniques, and procedures for Canadian hunting and fishing will be provided.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Paul D Werner, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature

     

    Key Personnel

    Lt. Col. Paul D Werner

    Commander

    Captain Allan D Keefer

    Administrative Officer

    M/Sgt. Jack A Fletcher

    1st Sergeant

    Captain Arthur N Spellman

    CEM Maintenance Officer

    SM/Sgt. James D Hibbard

    CEM Maintenance NCOIC

    1st Lt. William F Holford

    Operations Officer

    SM/Sgt. Allen W Mobley

    Operations NCOIC

    Captain David A Young

    Supply Officer

    T/Sgt. Norman F Grizzle

    Supply NCOIC

    1st Lt. Harry R Furney

    Engineering Officer