Saskatoon Mountain, BC

1959 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division

Historical Report
919th AC&W Squadron
1 July 1959 to 30 September 1959

Section I

REQUIRED DATA
  1. Unit and Location

919th Squadron, Saskatoon Mountain Air Station, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
  1. Name and Grade of Commander

James G Barnett, Major, USAF
  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)

    2. Administrative: 25th Air Division, WADF, ADC, NORAD
    Logistical: 4602nd Support Group (ADC)
  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)

    • None
  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)

    • To maintain radar surveillance for the purpose of providing early warning, identification, and continuous intelligence of all air activity detected within our assigned area of responsibility and to conduct training for the effective accomplishment of this mission.
  • Personnel
    		•
       

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

    		  
     

    Assigned

    12

    143

    16

    171

    		  
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

    		  
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
    •

    AN/FPS-20A (1), AN/TPS-502 (1)

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    The role and responsibility of the 919th Squadron continues to change and unfold preparatory to its eventual transition into the new Semi-Automatic Ground Environment System. Under the NORAD Air Defense Realignment Program in March 1959, the operational responsibility of the Squadron was changed from 5th Air Division (RCAF) to 25th Air Division (SAGE).

    In May 1959, Western Air Defense Force realigned the responsibility of the Squadron. The Squadron was changed from a Direction Center to a Surveillance Station, with M&I Function and Control Capability, and no longer has intercept direction responsibility. The primary mission of the Squadron continues to be Radar Surveillance and M&I, to provide early warning against enemy attack.

    Better and more modern equipment continues to be installed to enable the squadron to carry out its assigned mission more effectively. March 1959, saw the FPA-20A, Long Range Surveillance Radar, become acceptable and operational. This equipment extended and greatly improved coverage of our area of responsibility. Construction of a new HRI tower is now in progress. When completed it will house the new FPS-6A equipment which is scheduled to arrive early in 1960. When operational the FPS-6A will provide more accurate and greater height and range capability for the squadron.

    New equipment has also been installed to fully train operations personnel and keep them highly skilled and proficient. The AN/GPS-T2, Radar Simulator, became operational in March 1959, and provides surveillance training. In August 1959, the AN/GPS-T2A, ACTER, started providing ECM Jamming training for operations personnel. Participation in a 25th Air Division (SAGE) ORI and eight (8) 25th Air Division (SAGE) exercises has also supplemented the other training received by operations personnel this past quarter.

    In September 1959, the squadron was honored with a visit and inspection by Major General Von R Shores, new Commander of 25th Air Division (SAGE). Major General Shores was favorably impressed with the squadron, its housekeeping and personnel.

    In October 1959, Colonel George B Hooker Jr., Commander of the 4602nd Support Wing at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, inspected and visited the squadron. He stated the overall squadron was excellent and cited the C&E Section as outstanding.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    James G Barnett, Major, USAF

    Signature