Cartwright, Labrador

1960 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
922nd AC&W Squadron
Cartwright, Labrador
1 April 1960 to 30 June 1960

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

922nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron,
APO 433, New York, New York

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

Daniel A Leonesio, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Goose Air Defense Sector
    64th Air Division (Defense)
    Air Defense Command

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • 4732nd Air Defense Group, Regulation 20-3
    The mission of the 922nd ACWRON is to conduct Air Defense Operations within the area assigned by Headquarters, 64th Air Division (Defense) and function as a GCI station in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    16

    160

    43

    219

     
     

    Attached

    0

    43

    1

    44

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A Search Radar (1ea); AN/FPS-14 Search Radar (3ea); AN/TPS-502 Height Finding Radar (1ea); GRC/27 Multi-Channel UHF Transmitter and Receiver (3ea); GRT-3 Single Channel UHF Transmitter (2ea); GRR-7 Single Channel UHF Receiver (2ea); FRT-502 Single Channel VHF Transmitter (4ea); FRT-503 Single Channel Transmitter (1ea); URG-60 Single Channel Receiver (5ea); BC-639 Single Channel VHF Receiver (3ea – 1 at each detachment); BC-640 Single Channel VJF Transmitter (3ea – 1 at each detachment).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    In early April a two man team from Canadian Marconi arrived to install the dry seal for the rotary coupler of the FPS-20A. To date we have experienced no difficulties with the new coupler.

    On 12 April, work was completed on installation of the water filtration and purification plant. The work consisted of the complete installation of all components and piping of a pressure sand filter and activated charcoal purifier into the station water system. The work was accomplished by station personnel in approximately 160 man hours and not involving overtime expense.

    The recreation equipment was removed from the recreation room and the room was repainted, shelves installed and beds set up to provide quarters for contractor personnel. A tent was also set up next to the latrine in wing one which will provide extra quarters if necessary. To date we have not had to use the tent although we expect to have to use it in July and August.

    The radome for tower 3 was removed on 25 May so that dismantling of the FPS-502 antenna could be accomplished. The antenna was dismantled by radar maintenance personnel by 3 June. The FPS-502 equipment is now awaiting packing and crating for shipment.

    On 21 May the Squadron observed Armed Forces Day by holding open house. Two 6x6 trucks and 3 weapons carriers were used to transport guests from the dockside warehouse to the site and back. NCO’s conducted tours of the unclassified section of the site. Refreshments were served after the tour. A total of 193 guests from the village toured the site.

    After removal of the FPS-502 equipment, tower #3 was capped and roofed. A siren was also installed on top of the tower. The siren will be used in fire alerting and base defense alerting procedures.

    Overhaul of VHF/UHF radio equipment and antennas was completed by a Canadian Marconi overhaul team during June. Several defective insulators on the VHF antennas were replaced and communications since the overhaul is greatly improved.

    On site test equipment was calibrated during June. Failure of the team’s calibrated power supply prevented calibration of eight pieces of test equipment, however calibration of the other test equipment was considered satisfactory.

    The Squadron’s performance of its assigned mission has remained high. The prime search equipment continues to give excellent results with quality control checks averaging 100%. A considerable increase in commercial jet traffic has been noticed. These high and fast tracks are easily carried the full range of our scope.

    Of special interest were two missions completed during June. During the early morning of 8 June we participated in Desk Top III. Desk Top III was the NORAD wide exercise for 1960. During the night of 23/24 June we participated in a Big Blast mission against B-52’s.

    In June our active air defense aircraft were changed from F-89J’s to the RCAF’s CF-100. During the period that the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron changes over from F-89J’s to F-102A’s, we will be controlling CF-100’s of the 414th AW Squadron. Excellent results have been obtained to date in controlling the CF-100.

    On 26 June, Colonel James R Wergin, Goose Air Defense Sector Commander, and members of his staff, arrived at this site for a short visit. Colonel Wergin conferred with the Commander and made a tour of the site. A forecast of bad weather and other commitments cut the visit short.

    During the quarter supply personnel forwarded reports on "Project Count". Tolerance on these reports were required to be within 5%. An audit showed that the reports were within 1%.

    To date only a very few and minor SUNEC items have been received. These items have all come in by mail. The bulk of our SUNEC shipment is expected in July and August, and preparations are being made to be ready to receive these shipments.

    Changes in key personnel during the quarter were as follows:

    Captain Donald H Wimberly replaced 1st Lt. Howard C Dale as Communications Officer. Lt. Dale is returning to the States after completion of his tour here.
    First Lieutenant George W Brown replaced Captain Robert R Virgin as Supply Officer. Captain Virgin will return to the States after completion of his tour in July.
    Master Sergeant Edward L Courville replaced Technical Sergeant Frank Price as NCOIC Communications Center. Sergeant Price has returned to the States.

    The first of June was a happy day for Captain Albert G Trost, Operations Officer, and Captain Thomas L Wright, C&E Officer. On that day they were promoted to the rank of Major.

    On 1 June two NCO’s were also promoted, Master Sergeant Harold E Covedich was promoted, to Senior Master Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant Joseph P Moccio was promoted to Technical Sergeant.

    Morale has been very good during the past quarter. Although the recreation room was closed to help provide quarters for contractor personnel, the increase in out door activity has helped considerably. The Squadron boat was put into the water and many fine fishing trips have been had.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    Daniel A Leonesio, Major, USAF

    Signature