Stephenville, NF

Orderly Room:

During this reporting period, this section received one officer, and lost one officer and an NCO. Lieutenant Colonel Leonard B Scott, Jr., replaced Major Sheppard as our Squadron Commander. Immediately thereafter, Operation "Shape-Up" began, during which a general renovation of the Site was accomplished.

S/Sgt. Hurst, our Sergeant Major rotated to the ZI and was replaced by S/Sgt. Cecil, who up to then was our payroll clerk.

The NCO Club became a reality during this quarter and all personnel on the site are benefiting by it. Bingo is held there once a week and parties are held at regular intervals.

Medical Section:

The health of this unit is satisfactory. Everyday medical problems with which we are confronted are similar to any other unit of this type and size. The most common medical problems are upper respiratory infections, common colds, minor injuries, and skin disorders. One patient required hospitalization during this period. This patient was admitted for inflamed haemorrhoids. During this period all members of this organization were given influenza immunization except those with a history of allergy to the serum. The relationship of this unit and medical personnel is good.

At the present time there are two medical personnel assigned to this section. One 90270"S" and one 90250.

Daily sick call is held in the morning so that patients who are referred to our support base hospital will arrive there in time to attend their scheduled sick call. However, this section is kept open during normal duty hours and persons desiring treatment or medical advice may report here at any time during this period. After normal duty hours the section is closed and a Medic is on stand by for that night and may be called by telephone or by consulting the placard on the office door to see which Medic is standing by and his room number. Drugs and supplies are maintained in sufficient quantities on a two week stock level. The stock is replenished every two weeks by requisitioning from the Base Medical Supply Section.

Dental services for this organization is performed by the Base Dental Clinic. Personnel desiring Dental care must report to the Unit Medical Section for a Dental Service Authorization Form, then proceed to the Dental Clinic by 0900 hours of that day. Emergency dental treatment will be rendered without an appointment.

The Veterinary and Sanitary inspections of food are being conducted by the Ernest Harmon AFB Veterinary Staff. Organoleptic inspections of questionable materials or products are performed by the Medical Technician of this unit, in conjunction with the EHAFB Medical and Veterinary Services.

It is the opinion of the Medical Staff of this unit that the Medical Service Program is working very well, regarding our mission within the unit and to the Air Force as a whole. The Medical Services of this unit is offering immediate service to all personnel under semi-isolated conditions.

Air Police Section:

During the month of October the Security Indoctrination was held. A film on Security entitles "Internal Installation Security" was shown for all personnel who attended this indoctrination.

During this quarter the AP Section initiated 12 Security Clearances on new personnel reporting into the squadron. OJT classes for all personnel of this section were held. New tests on weapons and Apprehension were made for further training of our Air Policemen. The purpose of this training is to familiarize all personnel with their different duties in the Air Police Section.

During the month of November the Air Police Section received three new AP’s for the month. S/Sgt. Ehrart and A/1C Richardson arrived from Hill AFB, Utah, and A/1C Staines was assigned to us from Fairfield AFB, California. S/Sgt. Ehrart was transferred to the 641^st ACWRON.

During the month of December the AP Section at the request of Lt. Col. Scott, a new post was added to our section, which is the Desk Sergeant. Due to this post an Air Policeman is on Duty 24 hours a day to answer the call of any emergency that may arise. By having this post the old OO duty has been eliminated.

The Air Police Section started Operation "Shape Up" by painting their rooms, bay and by doing odd jobs around the squadron.

Operations:

During this reporting period there was a slight turnover of personnel. Gains were two 27370’s, five 27350’s and two 27330’s, all due to rotation to the ZI except one who was transferred to the 641^st ACWRON.

Promotions received were: one to S/Sgt., six to A/1C, and two to A/2C.

Director activity for the period was of average nature, and consisted of the following: aircraft directed, 4,903; AI Intercepts, 1,028; Identification Intercepts, 72; GCI/GCA’s, 388, and 699 GCI Navaids.

During this period a total of 8,863 tracks were carried by this station. 34,027 tracks were carried by the whole complex. 16,338 flight plans were received for the complex. There were 819 unknowns, 48 scrambles, 16 attempted intercepts and 13 successful intercepts. There were two missed intercepts due to personnel error, and one due to aircraft malfunction.

Exercises for the period were two Dry Run V’s, two Cocked Pistol Sneaky Pete’s, and one Sky Scan. There were six jamming missions run against this station.

Training accomplished for the period consisted of a new training program outlined in 64^th ADDM 55-2. Training is progressing as scheduled according to this program. Cross training with the ADCC for October and November saw two 27370’s being exchanged and four 27350’s. Seven Director’s went to the 61^st FIS and one Director visited a GCI station. No Cross Training was accomplished in December due to the holidays and a shortage of personnel. Personnel upgraded were two 27370’s and one 27350.

The 64^th Air Division Team visited our site and spent approximately one week with us. Distinguished visitors were Brigadier General Sullivan, Colonel Nealy and Colonel Richardson.

Electronics Section:

During the quarter the following personnel rotated or were transferred: A/1C William Bryant, 30352D; A/1C Thomas P Rusk, 30352D; A/1C Freddie Elkins, 30352D; and A/2C Michael Casey, 30352D. There were no personnel assigned to the station. The overall status of the section as compared to the authorized personnel is as follows: Assigned are, one 1^st Lt., 3041; one T/Sgt., 30372; 11 A/1C’s, 30352D; and three A/2C, 30352D. Authorized are: one Captain, 3044; one 1^st Lt., 3044; one M/Sgt., 3072; five T/Sgt’s., 30372; 4 S/Sgt’s., 30352D; three A/1C’s, 30352D; and 4 A/2C, 30332D.

All personnel assigned to the section have completed their 30352D training and have been awarded a 30352D AFSC. At the present time a new 30372 Technician training program is being drawn up and placed into operation. Formal classroom training is expected to start on or about 15 January 1957. At present four airmen are on formal training and three more are awaiting PERAM action.

The Marconi Depot Overhaul Team was here during November for the Annual Overhaul. All Prime Radar, Backup Radar and associated Test Equipment received an excellent and complete overhaul. The final peaking gave results comparable to the originally installed equipment.

Approximately 75% of our test equipment was in need of maintenance before an overhaul of the Radar equipment could be accomplished. Two Marconi Test Equipment Specialists preceded the overhaul team by two weeks and before the teams arrived the major part of our test equipment had been returned to normal operation. The AN/CPS-6B and EW Kit have given us the most trouble this period. The Prime Antenna system difficulties experienced were severe hunting with apparent binding of the main bull gear. Marconi Depot was called in and a complete overhaul of the system was completed. To correct the trouble a new clutch, tachometer, one speed and thirty six speed synchro’s were replaced. All oil seals were replaced to eliminate a large amount of oil loss. At the present time the prime antenna system is operating normal.

The EW Kit has been the big problem. The troubles experienced are too numerous to mention in this report. It can be reported that after many hours of trouble shooting and replacing of parts the EW Kit was made operational. At the present time difficulties are being experienced with the 400 cycle generator. The armature will have to be turned down and new brushes installed and it is believed that the EW Kit will again be operating normal.

Our backup equipment has given us very little trouble this quarter. Both the AN/FPS-502 and the AN/TPS-502 were overhauled by the Marconi team and it was mentioned that the equipment was found in very good condition. The AN/FPS-502 at the present time is operating normal, however, the AN/TPS-502 is in need of parts for the 400 cycle generator. Priority requisition has been submitted and supply difficulties are holding up the maintenance. When the parts are received the equipment should be operational in a minimum of time.

In previous reports submitted the 15-J-1C trainer has been listed as one of the big problems of the section, mainly because of slow supply action. At the present time the trainer is operational and is undergoing final tests and adjustments before it is turned over to operations.

Communications:

This quarter the Communications Section lost some experienced personnel, while gaining others. The Comm. Center lost two 29150’s, A/2C Nathan and A/2C Jefferson due to rotation and gained one 29120, A/3C Clifton. The Crypto Center gained two new 29230’s, A/3C Baker and A/3C Beaulieu, and lost one for rotation, A/1C Bowen. The Radio Maintenance Section again had a large turnover in personnel. One man rotated to the ZI, A/1C Scruggs, while four other maintenance personnel were transferred to northern assignments, namely A/2c Pinto, A/2C Topel, A/3C Hail and A/B Medwatz. Gains this quarter for the maintenance section consisted of six new men. One of these is experienced while the others were directly out of Tech School. These were A/1C Fross, A/2C Kimmey, A/2C Straub, A/2C Singer, A/2C Dyer, and A/3C Aucoin. The Teletype Maintenance Section lost one for rotation, A/1C May.

Promotions this quarter for the Comm. Section were very good and consisting of A/1C Smith being promoted to S/Sgt. and S/Sgt. Quackenbush being promoted to T/Sgt. Promoted to A/2C were A/3C’s BrisBois, Hogan, Burkamn, Stephens and Speaks. A/B DeLuca was promoted to A/3C.

The Comm. Office was relocated this quarter to a combined Comm. Maintenance Officer and Comm. Operations Office, enabling closer supervision, co-ordination and better operating efficiency of the sub-sections of the Comm. Section. Previously the Comm. Office was located within the Operations Office, and since the change is now located near the Communications Center.

During this period the Radio Maintenance Section has had comparatively few maintenance difficulties. The PM system has been proving itself invaluable in keeping failures at a minimum. The HF Nets have been put on a test basis during October and tests are still being conducted. The tests are at six hour intervals for a 24 hour period and are conducted twice a week on Nets 49, 51 and 52. Stations transmit for a period of five minutes using 1.1F1 emission. The Marconi Antenna rigger team installed a new HF antenna; a folded dipole on all the nets. This type antenna is considerably more susceptible to icing than the old type which was a long wire antenna. However, this antenna can be de-iced more completely than the older type once a de-icing system is installed. The rigger team was in the process of reworking the antennae at both receivers and transmitters before the holidays, at which time they returned to Pepperrell. It is hoped that they will return and complete the job.

Permission was granted to move the inoperative LF equipment from the TX to the Dry Storage warehouse. The space at the TX was quickly utilized for a work bench for the maintenance of the GRC-27 equipment.

The transmitters and receivers site are undergoing operation Shape Up. All efforts are being made to bring the two sites to a high level of building maintenance.

The vestibules were completed by AIO at the TX. This helps a great deal in keeping moisture out of the building. It is hoped that AIO will build one at the receiver site.

The power failures that in previous months caused equipment damage and outage time, have been reduced to zero. This has certainly lightened the equipment maintenance problem.

The section OJT plan has been completed and training started. The general idea of the plan is for the fully qualified men to train the newer men on the equipment. The Marconi Representative works in an advisory capacity.

On December 30^th at approximately 2000 hours, the transmitter cable began shorting out. The trouble quickly developed into so many pairs that the cable was practically all shorted out. At about 2230 hours all pairs were out. As soon as the trouble developed, all radio channels went on emergency equipment in operations. The trouble was located between the main frame and the telephone pole where it comes out of the conduit after crossing the road. Ice formed in the conduit and constricted the cable. This was due to a sudden thaw which allowed moisture to run into the uncapped conduit where it became ice. The 1^st Comm Flight at Harmon was notified and they repaired it with a cable throw splice from the main frame passing the trouble spot. Shortly after the 1^st Comm men began repairing the TX cable the RX cable developed the same trouble. A splice is being planned for the RX cable as soon as the TX cable is completed. With the TX and RX cables going bad, it became necessary for Wire Maintenance to run several outside lines to the TX and Main Gate.

During this period Wire Maintenance had many troubles with the SOS phones, but after putting each phone on a separate pair, practically all troubles have been eliminated. At present the SOS phones are all in working condition.

Tech Supply:

During the month of October, a complete inventory was conducted by this section and all items found to be in excess of current needs are now in the process of being returned through supply channels.

During the month of November, the 64^th Air Division Inspection team was here and all discrepancies found have been corrected.

All Radar and Comm parts and equipment in class 16PT are now being supplies through Pepperrell AFB. Prior to the support base’s transferring of these parts to Pepperrell, all items found to be at zero balance or below stock level were requisitioned by this section on a fill or kill basis.

Items have been cancelled through base supply that have been on back order over a period of six months and are no longer required by the maintenance sections. Follow-up action was conducted on all NE-611 telephone parts to find what action was taken by base supply. The results of this follow-up showed that one local purchase order is now in the process of being ordered through Northern Electric Company. These items will be of a great deal of help in returning and keeping handsets and headsets in operational order.

Since the last quarterly report this section has lost one airman due to rotation, A/2C Chester White. One replacement in the person of A/3C Joseph Cecil has joined the section.

Unit Supply:

During this quarter we had quite a few changes, all for the better. The 64^th Air Division Inspectors gave us a very satisfactory report on our section.

A/3C Robinson rotated from this section, causing an even greater shortage in supply personnel. To date we have borrowed three men, two from Operations and one from Food Service. These men have helped us considerably.

AIO:

Oil pumping from dock site POL tanks to the upper POL storage tank was completed during October, 1956, after which all oil pump control lines were cut so that line slappage in high winds would not interfere with Base Buss in Power Plant.

Harmon AIO did considerable work in the road department. Conduits were installed due to heavy rain, poor drainage and washouts.

Support base gave us a D-8 bulldozer for snow removal purposes. This machine is now at automotive maintenance undergoing repairs and a straight blade D-7 has been substituted.

Canadian Marconi Engineers completed major overhaul on one Cummins Diesel and at present are replacing defective cam shaft in #2 unit.

AIP Shops, being located quite a distance from other Site buildings, no telephone facilities makes it difficult for foreman and personnel to call each other. The heating system consists of three space heaters which are turned off during nights. There are no latrine facilities, drinking water, etc.

AIO Site personnel did seating and painting of the theater, and are now assisting in remodelling "B" Barracks day room.

The overall condensate line in the Unit Supply area was repaired a few weeks ago. Another leak broke out farther along. It is suggested that all overhead lines be stripped and checked during the summer of 1957.

Food Service:

During this quarter we had the Annual Inspection and though we were written up badly, we think that we now have things straightened out. The dining hall was painted and we obtained several items of new equipment.

A/2C Smith, who arrived just recently, was promoted to A/1C. Lost this period were six men, mostly due to northern reassignments.

James C Sigler
Captain, USAF
Historian