Cartwright, Labrador

1966 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
922nd AC&W Squadron
Cartwright, Labrador
1 April 1966 to 30 June 1966

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

922nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
APO New York 09433

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Joseph E McDowell, Captain, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. 37th Air Division
    1st Air Force
    Air Defense Command

  • Subordinate Units (Down to and including squadrons)
  • None

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • 37th Air Division Regulation 23-5. The mission of the 922nd AC&W Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within an assigned area of responsibility and to function as a Direction Center in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Authorized

    10

    107

    27

    144

     
     

    Assigned

    10

    84

    26

    120

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-93A; AN/FPS-90; APX-14; R-361 (6); AN/URG-60 (6); GA-175 (5); OA-2325-A; SSM-7 TT-21; AN/GAS-T2; AN/GRC-27 (4); AN/G7A-6A; 0A99 (2); AN/GPX; AN/FRT-502 (3); H-15 (2); AN/GPS-T2A; AN/GRT-3 (5); AN/GRC-27 (5); AN/FRT-503; AN/GPA-35 (31); GA/929 (2); M-19.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Personnel and Administration:

    During the second quarter (1 April 1966 through 30 June 1966) the Orderly Room processed numerous personnel and administrative actions. Nearly 30 personnel were processed in and the same number were processed out. S/Sgt. Robert Sawyer, personnel technician, departed PCS to Keesler AFB, Mississippi. A/2C Thomas McKenzie arrived in May 1966 and was assigned to the Orderly Room as a personnel clerk, filling a T/Sgt. slot. He had originally been programmed in as a Base Exchange Accounting Specialist. S/Sgt. Wesley DuVaul was transferred from the operations section to the Orderly Room to fill a more critical position. Eighteen stripes were received in the 21 June 1966 Promotion Cycle. A more effective and stricter APR/OER system has been established. The station PDO is in the process of being absorbed by the 37th Air Division and we will be one of their many customers. Our new First Sergeant, M/Sgt. Joseph McCarthy arrived in late May 1966. The annual audit inspection was conducted in late May and the 1AF IG inspection in June 1966. Both inspections were very thorough, intensive, and detailed. The P&A section received a satisfactory rating from both inspections with no discrepancies in the Audit and only a few minor ones being revealed in the IG report. All of our AFM 30-3 actions, RCS Reports, correspondence, messages, forms and publications are being handled accurately and effectively. The General Military Training Program, OJT, Testing, and Retention Program are all progressing satisfactorily with exceptional results being achieved. Our reproduction equipment has been in poor condition and operating only spasmodically, which has created an unwarranted hardship on our Orderly Room personnel workload. Our administrative supplies have been exhausted for several weeks. We have no envelopes, pens, tablets, Kraft folders, multilith typewriter ribbons, stencils and a few other miscellaneous items. Our morale is extremely satisfactory, and our section personnel are performing their required duties in a highly competent manner, expending many non-duty hours to accomplish mission requirements.

    Operations:

    During the period 1 April 1966 and 30 June 1966, the average total strength in operations was 37 personnel. Major Charles J Allen departed this station in May and was temporarily replaced as Operations Officer by 1st Lt. Clayton A Witherow. Captain Joseph C McDowell and 1st Lt. Thomas L Chenoweth arrived this station 13 June 66. Captain McDowell has taken over duties as Operations Officer and Instructor Director, having been upgraded to Operational Ready/Expert. 1st Lt. James L Nelson was upgraded to Operational Ready on 19 May 1966.

    During the reporting period, the Weapons Section controlled 204 sorties and attempted 469 intercepts. A total of 345 of these were successful and 124 missed for the following reasons: Director error – 14, pilot error – 5, Airborne equipment failure – 72, and ECM – 33.

    The surveillance section tracked a total of 2444 tracks in our area of responsibility. Of these 36 were initially identified unknown, later being reclassified as friendly. Operations personnel participated in 5 live and 10 simulated Air Defense exercises and 8 ECM training missions.

    The operations section received an overall rating of satisfactory during the First AF IG inspection conducted 21-24 June 1966.

    Communications and Electronics:

    A major modification was performed on the search radar, resulting in the new nomenclature – AN/FPS-93A.

    The 1AF IG Inspection conducted 21-24 June 1966 resulted in a Satisfactory in CEM with no repeat discrepancies.

    A COMSEC Inspection was conducted with outstanding results. There were only two minor write-ups which were corrected during the inspection.

    The CTSP position was converted to Civil Service on 2 May 66. Mr. Daryle Eagles converted to the new position.

    The Communications Center had one UMD slot change, from 29170 to 29150.

    S/Sgt. Mark Hull, NCOIC of Radio Maintenance was replaced by S/Sgt. Benjamin Jahn by normal rotation.

    The following promotions were received in CEM:

    (see matrix at end of this report)

    Supply:

    The end of the quarter 1 April through 30 June saw the last of the Okanagan helicopters. During this period the "choppers" made 42 trips into the site and dropped off over 100,000 pounds of passengers and cargo. Beginning 1 July Eastern Provincial Airways will handle site resupply by air.

    T/Sgt. David C Howard Jr., arrived 9 April 66 and took over the responsibilities of NCOIC of the section.

    Civil Engineering:

    The new Station Engineer, Lt. Franklin C Collins arrived on station in June 1966 replacing Lt. Howard Davis who departed PCS on 27 May 1966.

    175 trouble calls were completed by station Preventative Maintenance personnel during the quarter.

    Mr. Sean Kearns, CMC representative performed an inspection of the Air-Conditioning system in June 66.

    In May 1966 the station Power Plant was awarded 2nd Place in Category I of the 1st AF Power Plant Division.

    The Heating Plant was notified by 1st AF in May 66 of winning First Place in the Category II Heating Plant Contest.

    Motor Pool vehicles were driven 13,630 miles during the quarter.

    Civil Engineer received a Satisfactory rating during the IG inspection.

    Dispensary:

    During this period of 1 April 1966 to 30 June 1966, the Medical Section treated a total of 328 Air Force personnel and 36 civilian employees.

    A total of 35 Air Force personnel and 1 civilian employee were referred to Goose Air Base Hospital for medical treatment. Of this number, referrals consisted of 12 dental appointments, 3 eye examinations, 15 discharge physicals, 2 Air Force personnel hospitalized and 1 civilian admission, all now returned to duty.

    A total of 12 non-disabling injuries requiring first aid were treated as out-patient status and 1 civilian employee with severely strained para-lumbar muscles was evacuated to Goose Air Base Hospital, being incapacitated for approximately one week.

    Weight-in procedures of newly assigned personnel still continues. Their progress, which is checked weekly is considered satisfactory. Three (3) airmen are presently on the weight reduction program.

    Key personnel at this squadron consists of:

    (see matrix at end of this report)

    Squadron personnel have continued to take advantage of the various courses of study available through ECI, USAFI and Group Study. During the period, 3 USAFI Group Study Courses in College Physics, Introduction to Electronics and Introduction to Business were completed with a total enrolment of 25 persons.

    Redecoration of the Squadron Dining Hall was completed in April contributing to a more pleasant environment with its nautical décor.

    Squadron morale has remained at a very high level in all sections and relations between site personnel and the local community are excellent.

    An IG Inspection was performed by a 1st AF Inspection Team on 21, 22 and 23 June 1966 and the Squadron achieved an overall satisfactory rating. This is a reflection of the combined effort and hard work contributed by site personnel in all sections.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Joseph C McDowell, Captain, USAF

    Signature

     

    CEM Promotions

    German, Wesley W

    to SM/Sgt.

    1 Apr 66

    Ratliff, Robert K

    to T/Sgt.

    21 Jun 66

    Johnson, Malcolm H

    to S/Sgt.

    21 Jun 66

    Bradfield, Johnny

    to S/Sgt.

    21 Jun 66

    Wilkenson, Dale G

    to S/Sgt.

    21 Jun 66

    Robinson, Donald L

    to A/1C

    21 Jun 66

    Key Personnel

    a

    Commander

    Major Clifford N Keith

    b

    Operations Officer

    Captain Joseph C McDowell

    c

    CEM Supervisor

    1st Lt. Ralph E Owens Jr.

    d

    Supply Officer

    1st Lt. George E Berry

    e

    Personnel/Administrative Officer

    1st Lt. William L Cope

    f

    Civil Engineering Officer

    1st Lt. Franklin C Collins

    g

    First Sergeant

    M/Sgt. Joseph E McCarthy

    h

    NCOIC CEM

    SM/Sgt. Walter W Ouimette

    i

    NCOIC Preventive Maintenance

    None

    j

    Medical Technician

    S/Sgt. Jesse E Lawless

    k

    MCOIC Fire Prevention

    T/Sgt. Russell Dauterive

    l

    NCOIC Operations

    M/Sgt. Luke H Green

    m

    NCOIC Food Services

    T/Sgt. Robert T Ashe

    n

    NCOIC Communications Center

    T/Sgt. Richard T Gillis