Stephenville, Labrador

1968 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
640th AC&W Squadron
Stephenville, Newfoundland
1 July 1968 to 30 September 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 Base, APO New York 09677
    1st Air Force, Stewart Air Force Base, New York 12550
    Aerospace Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado 80912

  • 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

    82

    57

    146

     
     

    Assigned

    6

    72

    57

    135

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • Radio Telephone – 1 FTA-13, 2 M-19, 4 AN/GRC-27, 7 AN/GRT-3, 7 AN/GRR-7, 1 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/UPX-14, 1 AN/GPA-30, 1 AN/GPS-T2A, 6 GPA-127, 1 AN/GPS-T4, 2 OA-99, 5 UPA-35, 1 GLH-501.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Commanders:

    An orientation visit was conducted by Colonel James A Darby, the new 37th Air Division Commander and members of his staff on 3 September. During that visit, 7 Air Force Commendation Medals were awarded to Squadron personnel by Colonel Darby. A Squadron picnic was held 4 July with all military and civilian personnel assigned to the Organization in attendance. Lt. Colonel Paul D Werner attended the initial review of the Resources Management System at Goose AB on 9 August. Initial efforts initiating this system were considered satisfactory, however, a follow-up conference to evaluate and review budget considerations is scheduled for next quarter.

    Operations:

    During this quarter the following personnel departed PCS: T/Sgt. Ernest Padilla, T/Sgt. Robert Schenkelberg, S/Sgt. Robert Carrigan, and S/Sgt. Howard Kennedy. M/Sgt. Charles Messer arrived on 24 August and assumed duties as Unit Training NCO, Intelligence Officer and Disaster Preparedness NCO. S/Sgt. Richard Ahlgren arrived 1 July and assumed duties as Operations Clerk, Intercept Director Technician and Operations Training NCO. The Operations Section participated in twelve exercises during this quarter, 5 live and 7 simulated. Construction of the new Operations Dias has been slipped until November 1968. This was due to construction materials not arriving on site.

    CEM Maintenance:

    M/Sgt. Clarence Crooker, Radar Maintenance Work Center Supervisor, departed PCS 30 September. Instructions were received to delete three UHF Radio frequencies and one VHF frequency in September. These deletions resulted in two AN/GRC-27s, one AN/GRT-3 and one AN/GRR-7 UHF Radio Systems and one FRT-502 VHF Radio System being shipped. A GLH-501 Azimuth Time Recorder was installed during August. A CEM Staff Assistance Visit was conducted by 37th Air Division from 23 to 26 July. Maintenance and Management practices throughout all areas were found to be excellent.

    Station Support:

    Sgt. Glen A Green arrived 13 September and began duties as Supply Clerk. The POV gas price was increased from 18 to 20 cents per gallon in September due to increased contract cost. Mr. Perran, 1st Air Force Transportation Evaluator, visited this section from 14 to 18 September. He discussed all phases of Site Transportation as well as recommending a UDL position for a Transportation Specialist by authorized by 1st Air Force. The Resources Management System was implemented 1 July and Captain Ferguson was assigned as Budget Officer at that time. Development and Standardization of Site Budgeting has progressed satisfactorily. During this quarter, work was started in the Dining Hall to change the store room into a lounge and the entrance and hallway were completed redecorated. In addition, a contest was held in September to name the facility and "Hilltop Hilton" was chosen. Radio Personnel installed an amplifier system which provides continuous music and news from AFRTS. The 1st Air Force Hennessy evaluation was held from 18 to 20 September with this Dining Facility receiving 999 points out of a possible 1,000. The 1st Air Force winner will be announced next quarter.

    Civil Engineering:

    A Staff Assistance and Orientation Visit was conducted by 37th Air Division Engineering on 4 September. A recommendation was made to sandblast all concrete structures prior to any future painting. The new water storage tank project was completed and accepted on 9 September, it is currently in use. Desealing and painting of original 30,000 gallon water storage tank was accomplished by station personnel during September. Annual resupply of diesel fuel was completed during July. Heating tubes of number one boiler in the Heating Plant were cleaned prior to scheduled inspection in next quarter. Eleven fire drills were conducted during this quarter and all were termed successful. During September, flow rate tests were conducted on the base fire hydrants and results were satisfactory. The Base Fire Chief attended a Newfoundland and Labrador Fire Chiefs convention in Gander, Newfoundland from 22 to 25 July.

    Recreation Services:

    The Softball season ended 10 August. The Squadron team finished league play in second place, however, swept the playoff tournament, beating the Royal Canadian Mounted Police team in the final game. Trophies were awarded the winning team and the outstanding player, both from the 640th, during a banquet held on 27 August in Stephenville Newfoundland. Basketball practice has been held on a regular basis during the latter part of September in preparation for the coming season. A strong team is expected to be fielded as a large number of personnel are attending practices. Several game bird hunting trips were organized but very little game was taken. It is expected that waterfowl hunting will improve in October and November. The Salmon and Trout fishing seasons closed 15 and 30 September respectively. This years fishing was considered an average compared with other seasons. A four team dart league was established 17 September and a bowling league was started 9 September with many personnel actively participating. Three local golf tournaments were held during August and September. A number of Squadron personnel participated in these tournaments with one individual winning the Club Championship Trophy. The Recreation Services Hobby Craft Shop was completely redecorated and work areas installed during July. A more efficient operation of this service has been realized due to this rehabilitation.
    Prepared By: Dale R Dauman, M/Sgt., USAF

    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

    M/Sgt. Norman F Grizzle

    Supply NCOIC

    1st Lt. Harry R Furney

    Engineering Officer