Cartwright, Labrador

1 April - 30 June
1955

With the coming of spring during the period many of the problems caused by severe cold temperatures were eliminated. The condition of our roads presented probably our biggest difficulty. The melting snow drifts and level snow caused great ruts and mud areas all along our eight miles of road. The motor pool worked many extra hours with the Caterpillar tractors removing this condition and smoothing out the surface. The long days of sunshine soon dried up the road bed and made it once again passable.

The winds and temperatures during the period were:

During April the thaw caused a short circuit in the outside technical power lines. The transmitter and receiver buildings were on auxiliary power (recently installed units in January-March History) for eight days until repairmen from Goose Air Base could be flown in to fix the trouble. The power units performed satisfactorily during the emergency.

Seventeen June announced the arrival of the USS NEAC with 17 Marconi engineers on board for the annual overhaul and inspection of communications and radar maintenance. The job was completed in about two weeks.

Installation was completed on the FPS-502 back-up search during April. The set is now being utilized by operations when the main search radar is off for preventative maintenance.

Housing has proven to be a large problem during this period. We were required to house the gap-filler personnel on their way to remote sites. Because of early arrivals of replacement personnel, there were no rooms available to accommodate all these people. Recreation Hall #2 was cleared of its equipment and some twelve double bunk beds were constructed out of single frame metal cots. The arrival of the USS NEAC called for further action. Tower #1 second floor housed the 17 men of this party. These measures adequately met the problem.

The Food Service section was greatly affected by the additional personnel. They were feeding 174 military and civilian personnel while having a seating capacity for only 56. This problem was solved by staggering the messing hours. It is commendable to note the regularity with which we have been serviced with perishables. This station has fresh fruit and vegetables during most of the winter months. We are now awaiting our summer food re-supply ship.

Details have been the rule rather than the exception during the Spring Months. Many truck loads of trash were picked up around the site as a thorough site cleanup campaign was put into effect. The dockside warehouse had a temporary roof of canvas put on it to protect the property and supplies until permanent repair can be made later this summer. All POL supplies were re-stacked and sorted to allow room for the summer restocking. During the last week in June, an SA-16 lost an engine after take-off from the bay. A large detail was required to "beach" the craft to affect an engine change.

Supply, during June received the first NCO to be assigned to the section since the squadron was activated. Several other airmen also arrived to bring the Supply strength up to its full complement of personnel.

The roving site dentist arrived during June, spending nearly three weeks working on the dental repair of our personnel. Three airmen were required to be sent to Goose Air Base hospital for treatment during June. These men are the first serious illnesses within the squadron since last September.

Much has been happening within the "heart" of the squadron. Operations has been very busy conducting rocket firing on the Cartwright Range and controlling the 59^th FIS on practice intercepts. Much improvement has been made with the rocket firing now that the participants have gained in confidence as well as skill. The rag has been blown from the cable many times during these last three months. It has been determined that altitudes above 20,000 feet are too high to attempt to operate rocket firing missions close to this station. To maintain the degree of safety needed on this type of training, close radar contact must be maintained. The beam or lobe pattern of the AN/FPS-3 radar does not permit operation above this altitude at ranges closer than about 30 miles. The upper beam does not seem to have sufficient power to pick up fighters. All Operations personnel observed the effect of an ECM demonstration mission conducted 11 June. Mechanical and electrical jamming methods were used.

The period saw the departure of the 922^nd’s third Commander, Captain Robert D Sawin. He was replaced by Major Russell W Deardon.

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