Pagwa, ON

1961 – Historical Report – USAF Historical Division


Historical Record
913th AC&W Squadron
Pagwa, ON
1 July 1961 to 30 September 1961

Section I

REQUIRED DATA

  1. Unit and Location

913th ACWRON, Pagwa Air Station
Pagwa River, Ontario, Canada

  1. Name and Grade of Commander

John B McLaughlin, Major, USAF

  1. Chain of Command (Superior Echelons)
  2. Sault Ste. Marie Air Defense Sector (ADC)
    30th Air Division (SAGE)
    4602nd Support Group (ADC) – (Support functions only)
    Air Defence Command

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

  • Mission (Give authority and brief statement of primary mission)
  • Authority: 30th ADIV Regulation 24-13, dated 3 July 1959
    Mission: To operate and maintain a Direction Center Facility. To conduct Air Defense Operations as part of the integrated air defense system of the Sault Ste. Marie Air Defense Sector.

  • Personnel
  •    

    Officers

    Airmen

    Civilians

    Total

     
     

    Assigned

    20

    172

    0

    192

     
     

    Attached

    0

    0

    0

    0

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

    AN/FPS-20A; AN/GPX-7A; AN/GRC-27 5ea; AN/FRT-501 4ea; AN/FRT-502 2ea; AN/GRR-7 2ea; AN/FRT-503 1ea; AN/GRT-3 2ea; CR-91A 4ea; URG-60 5ea.

    Section II

    COMMENTARY

    Personnel:

    During the period of 1 July 1961 through 30 September 1961 the squadron personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 9; Airmen, 37; Losses – Officers, 6; Airmen, 27.

    Operations:

    During the period 1 July through 30 September 1961, the Operations section gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 9; Airmen, 10; Losses – Officers, 6; Airmen, 12.

    Operational activities for this section include 221 actual training intercepts and 376 synthetic intercepts and full participation in all region and division level exercises except the period 1 July through 2 August when there was no radar available due to relocation of the AN/FPR-20A Search Radar.

    Two (2) airmen were placed on OJT for seven level AFSC.

    Renovation of the Operations Back Room commenced and is 75% completed. The renovation included rewiring of internal communications, construction of supervisory and associated technician positions and modernization of the lounge and entrance way areas.

    At the end of the reporting period the required number of intercepts in accordance with ADCM 51-2 was not met due to down time for relocation of the search radar. Newly assigned controllers completed 35% of the cross training program, and 100% completion is expected within 180 days.

    Communications and Electronics:

    The C&E Section experienced the following personnel gains and losses: Gains – Officers, 1; Airmen, 10; Losses – Officers, 1; Airmen, 1.

    During the reporting period complete rewiring of the internal communications system in the operations center was completed.

    The AN/FPS-20 search radar was relocated to the new tower. However this tower was considered unsatisfactory due to design discrepancies and an unsatisfactory report was submitted on it, as well as on the rigid radome which was erected with cracked panels and excessive air bubbles.

    On 22 September the original radome was replaced but additional caulking is needed to complete water proofness. The radome on Height Finder ")" was re-caulked 10 September and Height Finder radome "1" is scheduled to be re-caulked in the near future. During the relocation of the FPS-20A all scopes in the operations center were re-cabled and painted. Also the trainer PPI scope for trouble shooting the SIF equipment and to vacate the old trainer room for utilization as a maintenance area adjacent to the operations center.

    Supply:

    The supply section gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 0; Airmen, 2; Losses – Officers, 0; Airmen, 1.

    The second quarter budget revision was submitted to the 4602nd Support Wing requesting an increase of $1500 in the RCAF Supply area and $700 in the equipment area.

    The 4602nd Staff Assistance Team found numerous marginal conditions in the section. A majority of these items have been corrected and the remaining long range items are in the completion process.

    Civil Engineering:*

    IEO personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 2; Airmen, 3; Losses – Officers, 2; Airmen, 6.

    The 4602nd Staff Assistance Visit gave the section a satisfactory rating during their visit 14 through 17 September 1961.

    Construction of the power house extension commenced during the reporting period with completion expected in March 1962.

    The underground fuel storage tank contract for the power house was completed and the tank is in operation.

    Steam heating boiler #2 has been condemned and is under contract for replacement. Difficulty with boiler #1 was encountered during the reporting period but remedied by a representative of Clever Brooks. The boiler is now operating normally.

    Security and Law Enforcement:

    Personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 1; Airmen, 0; Losses – Officers, 1; Airmen, 0.

    One airman is currently on loan to the section insuring 100% manning. Five (5) combination type padlocks were received and installed on the gates of the station. These gates are closed after normal duty hours, enhancing the security of the installation. Twenty four (24) rolls of Polaroid film was obtained for utilization in completing identification cards and security badges.

    The annual weapons proficiency with the 30 Calibre M-1 Carbine and the .45 Calibre pistol was completed during the quarter with the assigned personnel being 100% qualified with the carbine. Due to the worn condition of the .45 calibre pistols it was impossible to qualify personnel with this weapon.

    Motor Transportation:

    Personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 0; Airmen, 1; Losses – Officers, 0; Airmen, 1.

    No new vehicles were received during the reporting period. The stock numbers and AF Registration numbers for the vehicles received during the last reporting period, with the exception of the Dodge Ambulance, have been received. Safety belts have been received and installation in all vehicles is 50% complete.

    Food Service:

    The following personnel gains and losses were experienced during the period: Gains – Officers, 0; Airmen, 2; Losses – Officers, 0; Airmen, 0.

    The section is now manned consistent with the authorized manning and the 62250 S/Sgt. TDY from KI Sawyer was returned to the ZI.

    A new steam kettle and dish washing machine was installed during the period. The band saw was repaired consistent with safety precautions. New broom, mop, and cereal racks were constructed locally and put into use. Expendable supplies necessary for proper sanitation and operation were received.

    The dining hall received an excellent rating from the 30th Air Division Medical Staff Visit in July.

    Special Services:

    Personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 1; Airmen, 2; Losses – Officers, 1; Airmen, 1.

    There is no recreational specialist assigned at present and the position is being filled by an NCO as an additional duty.

    A multi-purpose athletic building plan was submitted for approval. Numerous winter and summer athletic equipment which had been ordered was received and is ready for use.

    Flight Operations:

    The following personnel gains and losses were encountered during the period: Gains – Officers, 3; Airmen, 0; Losses – Officers, 3; Airmen, 0.

    The L-20 support type aircraft was flown a total of one hundred and twenty two (122) hours during the reporting period, in support of the unit mission.

    One of the three new pilots assigned during the reporting period completed check out and passenger carrying certification requirements. The other two assigned pilots are expected to complete requirements for passenger carrying pilot in the near future, with no difficulty contemplated.

    Salvage:

    Personnel gains and losses were as follows: Gains – Officers, 1; Airmen, a; Losses – Officers, 1; Airmen, 1.

    This additional duty activity made twenty six (26) declarations of salvage during the period. Diplomatic Notes numbers 190 and 32 were signed by US and Canadian governments concerning disposal of excess to Crown Assets Disposal Limited.

    Typed Name and Grade of Commander

    John B McLaughlin, Major, USAF

    Signature