Cartwright, Labrador

1962 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
922nd AC&W Squadron
Cartwright, Labrador
1 January 1962 to 31 March 1962

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

James H Moon, 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)
  • GADS Regulation 24-5.
    The mission of the 922nd ACW Squadron is to conduct Air Defense Operations within an assigned area of responsibility and function as a Direction Center in the Air Defense System.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    12

    114

    24

    150

     
     

    Attached

    0

    14

    1

    15

     
                 
  • Equipment (Give official nomenclature and quantity of mission-type equipment)
  • AN/FPS-20A Dual Channel Search Radar (1ea); AN/FPS-6B 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 (6ea); FRT-503 Single Channel Transmitter (1ea); URG-60 Single Channel Receiver (6ea); BC-610 High Frequency Transmitter (1ea); GPX-7A SIF (1ea); UPX-6 IFF (1ea).

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Personnel and Administration:

    Manning has been stable during this quarter in all sections, and all are adequately manned with the exception on operations (273X0). This section has been continually under strength since last July. This situation will be corrected by the end of the next quarter if present forecasts materialize. 1st Lt. Bert Whorton departed for the ZI during January and was replaced by 1st Lt. Julian H Allen as Administrative Officer. Major Ned Hawkins assumed command for 18 days on 17 February while Major James H Moon attended the 64th Air Division Commanders Conference at Orlando AFB, Florida. Representatives of the Goose Air Base Auditor General’s Office completed an audit of all fund accounts in February. A rather large number of discrepancies were noted and corrective action has been initiated to have functions operate smoothly. It is thought that a central accounting office would reduce the excessive workload on our people and prevent discrepancies from recurring in the future.

    Operations:

    During this reporting period, this unit participated in four live exercises and three STP exercises. The live missions were Big Echo Orange, Big Echo Black, Big TAC EVAL and Big Blast. GADS Operational Assistance Teams visited this unit during Big Echo Black and Orange and helped in several areas concerning operational procedures. Tri-Regional STP’s Audrey, Duty Clock, and Desk Top IV were also participated in by this unit. These missions have been of great value in training personnel in operational procedures and maintaining their proficiency in the operations field. 361 live and 85 simulated intercepts were conducted. All directors (1744) have been certified combat ready. 1st Lt. John Osborne Jr., departed PCS to the ZI in January and was replaced by 1st Lt. Brent P Pratt in early February. Captain John H Hineline and Lt. Pratt were certified as combat ready qualified and skill respectively during this period. The AN/GPS-T4 was not operational during this period until early March when it became limited operational. This resulted in directors having an additional training aid available. Cross training was accomplished by Captain Hineline at the 641st AC&W Squadron, the 59th FIS, and the GADS Combat Center. Captain Avera cross trained at the 59th FIS. Our Operations Officer attended the GADS Operations Conference at Goose Air Base in February. One main point of interest was that he returned with a new GAR-11 intercept tactic. This tactic was tested and used during February and March with results sent to GADS. Installation of a UPA-35 scope was accomplished in March. Besides producing an increased control capability, the new scope fulfils a dual function of control and surveillance depending on the priorities established for each mission. It is also planned that this scope will be utilized for SIF checks or EWO aircraft. The operations section has continued to be undermanned since last July in the 273X0 career field.

    Supply:

    During January, T/Sgt. AJ Hawtree replaced T/Sgt Phillips as Supply NCOIC. Our support by helicopter from Goose Air Base seems to be normal and adequate, except early in March when 8 and 9 day delays between trips occurred due to bad weather. However, a new record was set in late March when this site received 7 flights in five days. The "Money Tree" program continues to show results. Cash awards were given to several airmen for their suggestions. An extensive advertising program was launched to indoctrinate all personnel toward Money Tree and has produced suggestions from all facets of the unit. This placed the squadron over 100% participation in March. Supply by SUNEC has been reduced from approximately 1,000 line items to 77 line items due to increased support by the 59th Supply at Goose Air Base. Transportation for this support will come by helicopter.

    Civil Engineering:

    During this reporting period the following projects were approved by 64th Air Division for possible completion in FY 63-64: CAR 1-3, Maintenance of Building Foundation; CAR 4-3, Alter Airman Dormitories; CAR 5-3, Alter Heating Plant; and CAR 9-3, Maintenance of Bowling Alley. The motor vehicle maintenance personnel began full operation although Project CAR 311-9, Reflooring of the Motor Pool, was not completed. Captain Richard C Gregory and Mr. Joe Chouinard attended a Civil Engineering Conference at Goose Air Base in early March which was called to clarify GADS Regulation 85-1. This regulation concerns the new civil engineering cost accounting program effective 1 April 1962. It is anticipated that this will cause much extra work initially but prove beneficial when in full swing. During March the mobile maintenance team from Goose Air Base realigned the stairway in two old radar towers to increase much needed storage space. They also installed new lighting fixtures in the bowling alley. The Baby Pole Vault Building was cleared and became a civil engineering warehouse. Captain Harris of 64th Air Division conducted a follow-up visit in January, on our IG Inspection. He found all deficiencies had been corrected and was complimentary concerning our revitalized PM program. A review of our Fire Prevention and fire fighting program was conducted by GADS Civil Engineering. These were found in good order and assistance was given in several areas.

    Communications and Electronics:

    In February, Major Ned Hawkins arrived to replace Captain John A Reed, C&E Officer, who is due to leave in early April. There has been considerable trouble maintaining the SIF/IFF due to lack of parts and trained personnel. This has been corrected by an extensive training program and the arrival of parts required. The GPS-T4 has been TDIOP most of the reporting period due to lack of parts and test equipment. Test equipment arrived and the T4 became limited operational early in March due to the arrival of S/Sgt. Ellis of the 640th ACWRON. He helped to repair the trainer, and gave classes on its maintenance. One UPS-35 was installed. A Canadian Marconi Team arrived late in February and calibrated almost all test equipment. Several safety modifications were completed on the electronic equipment. Another modification gave the height finder an ECCM capability by using the quick fix receiver on the standby channel of the AN/FPS-20A search radar. An intercom system was modified to include the transmitter, radar maintenance, SIF/IFF and Maintenance Control Center sections to Operations for quick maintenance of equipment. The teletype equipment was relocated in the Communications Center to allow use of the standby teletype set. Considerable radio communications failure was encountered due to ice and moisture seeping into cabling joints on the antenna systems. Two new AS-505 antennae were installed on the roof of the transmitter building. These antennae shorted almost daily due to snow, ice, and moisture. Nine out of ten radio maintenance 3 level airmen passed their 5 level SKT and were upgraded. A two man Canadian Marconi team repaired the telephone cable to the proposed TACAN site. Their visit seemed a little premature as the requirement for this cable won’t exist until construction begins this spring.

    Medical:

    During this quarter, 479 Air Force personnel and 49 civilians were treated in the dispensary. No disabling injuries occurred, although two patients were sent to the Goose USAF Hospital for further care. One medical technician is due to depart in July but no replacement is projected. The July replacement list has been received. Upper respiratory ailments have been noticeably absent, but there does seem to be a large number of personnel suffering from haemorrhoids. This is thought to be the result of irregular work schedules, eating habits, and working in sedentary type jobs.

    Morale:

    Morale continues to be high. This is particularly attributed to the new bowling alley. A ten team league has been formed involving all sections, and is in full swing. Four basketball teams have been organized and games are scheduled weekly in the Motor Pool. Four airmen tried out for the GADS basketball team and one airman represented this unit in the 64th Air Division tournament at Thule, Greenland. In addition, five airmen participated in the Goose ABC Bowling tournament. The "Wild Dueces", a four member special services entertainment group spent four days at this unit in January. Their music and comedy were first class and the girls made a definite contribution to the morale of this squadron. A considerable effort by all personnel was made to keep WNTS (The Wonderful Nine Twenty-Second), a public address disc jockey program, on the air for over 3,000 hours of continuous operation. WNTS finally shut down on 20 January. Personnel continue to give their free time to provide the unit with 12 to 18 hours a day of news, sports, and music. Living conditions remain the same and are considered adequate. The Snack Bar in the Airman’s Club was completed and was welcomed by all. This squadron received 10 A/1C, 2 S/Sgt., and one A/2C stripes during the February promotion.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    James H Moon, Major, USAF

    Signature