Stephenville, Labrador

1968 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 April 1968 to 30 June 1968

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, APO New York 09677
    1st Air Force, Stewart Air Force Base, New York
    Aerospace 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

     
     

    Authorized

    7

    81

    57

    145

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    90

    57

    153

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Radio Telephone – 1 FTA-13, 2 M-19, 4 AN/GRC-27, 8 AN/GRT-3, 8 AN/GRR-7, 2 FRT-502, 2 URG-60, 1 AN/TIQ-3, 3 RD-142.
    Radar – 1 AN/FPS-93A, 1 AN/FPS-90, 1 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:

    1st Lt. William B Lariscy arrived PCS 3 May and replaced Captain Allan D Keefer as Personnel Officer who departed 15 May. T/Sgt. William S Buchanan arrived 7 May and assumed duties as First Sergeant, replacing M/Sgt. Jack A Fletcher who retired from Military Service. Lt. Colonel Werner attended the 37th Air Division Commander’s Conference 17 through 19 June at Goose AB. Annual Awards were presented at that time with the Ground Safety, Athletic, Fire Prevention, and Retention Trophies being won by this Unit. A 37th Air Division Staff Assistance Visit was conducted 5 through 8 April. All areas of Administration, Security, Fire Prevention, and Station Support were covered during this visit.

    Operations:

    During this quarter the following personnel departed PCS: SM/Sgt. Rush F Hagy and M/Sgt. Tommy G Thompson. M/Sgt. Fred E Gray arrived during May and assumed duties as Operations Training Supervisor with additional duty as Assistant Operations Supervisor. The Operations Section participated in seven Air Division simulated training missions and two multi-region simulated missions. No live exercises were conducted or participated in during this quarter. During April, plans were formulated to reconfigure the Operations Dias to allow greater flexibility in performing the assigned mission. These plans were forwarded to higher headquarters and approved. Tentative plans call for construction to begin during October 1968.

    CEM Maintenance:

    During the period of 21 through 24 May, representatives of the 37th Air Division Maintenance Management Staff conducted an evaluation of the Height Radar System to determine the possible cause of magnetron failures. All was found to be in good order and the Radar Maintenance Shop was considered outstanding. Instructions were received in May for termination of one VHF channel including back-up equipment. This resulted in one FRT-502 transmitter and two URG-60 receivers being crated and shipped in June. Captain Thomas W Stephenson III arrived PCS 12 April and assumed duties as CEM Maintenance Officer. T/Sgt. Robert F Schwoyer arrived 23 May and assumed duties as Communications Center Supervisor replacing S/Sgt. Leland L Converse who departed PCS on 18 June. S/Sgt. Robert L Lake arrived PCS 15 June and assumed duties as Teletype Repairman, replacing S/Sgt. Earnest J Phillips who was assigned to this unit on extended TDY and has now departed PCS.

    Station Support:

    Captain James E Ferguson arrived 16 June and assumed duties as Station Support Officer replacing Captain David A Young who had departed PCS 23 June. A/1C Thaddeus V Tompkins arrived 19 June and filled the Administrative Specialist position. S/Sgt. Lawrence A Smith retired from active Military Service 24 May. S/Sgt. Smith was the former Supply Supervisor and retired in the local area. Operation "Loggy Pine" is currently 95% completed. The CACRL Program was completed during the month of June. POV gas sales were resumed on 12 April. A Staff Assistance visit was conducted during May by the 37th Air Division Material Staff and their rating of Station Support was outstanding. During June all minimum level support stocks were reviewed and 150 line items were deleted as excess to site requirements. During this quarter the Dining Facility was painted, drapery purchased, and glass table tops procured in preparation for the Annual Hennessy Trophy evaluations. The facility at this Unit was selected to represent the 37th Air Division in these evaluations during the next quarter.

    Civil Engineering:

    A Mobile Maintenance Team arrived 14 June and completed guard rail repairs on the site access road. This Team also repaired and reanchored petroleum lines from dockside storage to site storage tanks. In addition, the Team inspected all overhead steam distribution lines. All lines were found to be in excellent condition except approximately 80 feet of two inch return line. Repair of this section will be accomplished within the next quarter. The water storage tank project is presently 89% completed with sand blasting and painting to be accomplished in July. Of the four minor construction projects submitted to 1st Air Force, one was approved. This project provides for installation of a latrine facility in the Base Power Plant. A Canadian Marconi Repair Team performed engine overhaul on five diesel power units during the month of April. A civilian boiler inspector from Ottawa, Canada, performed an external boiler inspection of boiler number one and both internal and external inspections on boiler number two in the heating plant. Both boilers were found to be in good condition. Nine fire drills were held during this quarter and all were successful. These fire drills have included open pit fires and hose and ladder practice. The fire truck was evaluated for flow rate using an external water source and results were satisfactory.

    Recreation Services:

    Intramural Volleyball concluded 30 April after a successful season. On 24 May the official sport fishing season opened. Heavy participation in this activity was apparent by the large amount of Special Services fishing equipment being issued. Several organized Salmon and Trout fishing trips were conducted in June. One such trip produced eleven Atlantic Salmon caught by Squadron personnel. A softball team was organized on 4 June and at the time entered in the Stephenville Newfoundland Softball League composed of five teams. The Team is currently enjoying first place in League standings. Gold activities at Stephenville Newfoundland are being actively used and a tentative date of 1 August will officially open the tournament program. Rod and Gun members have received free use of a cabin on a nearby lake for use during the summer and fall seasons. Boats and outboard motors have been positioned on the lake for the use of Site personnel.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Paul D Werner, Lt. Colonel, USAF

    Signature

     

    Key Personnel

    Lt. Col. Paul D Werner

    Commander

    1st Lt. William B Lariscy

    Personnel Officer

    T/Sgt. William S Buchanan

    First Sergeant

    Captain Thomas W Stephenson III

    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 James E Ferguson

    Supply Officer

    T/Sgt. Norman F Grizzle

    Supply NCOIC

    1st Lt. Harry R Furney

    Engineering Officer