Frobisher Bay, NWT

History
of
926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (N-31)
(Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, Canada)

1 October 1954 - 31 December 1954
(RCS) 1-AF-D2 (64-1)

Prepared for Officer of Information Services,
64^th Air Division (Defense),

by Captain John E Wildman (Historical Officer), and
S/Sgt. Louis A Des Rochers (Historical Technician)
10 January 1955

64^th Air Division (Defense) Northeast Air Command

The 926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated at Grenier Air Force Base, New Hampshire, on 13 June 1953, with an authorized strength of 120 airmen and 10 officers. The squadron was moved to Site Number 31, Frobisher Bay, Canada, between 19 August 1953 and 2 December 1953. As of 31 December 1953, no further changes in personnel or location has been made.

The primary mission of the 926^th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was to provide early warning surveillance of the assigned area of responsibility. The secondary mission was to provide navigational assistance to friendly aircraft.

The purpose of this squadron was to serve as a member of a group of similar organizations providing a system of early warning against the infiltration of enemy aircraft into the defense areas of the United States and Canada.

Administration

It was the responsibility of the Administration Section, commonly known as the Orderly Room, to maintain all records pertaining to personnel and to perform the duties pertinent to the office of the Squadron Commander.

On 15 December, a team from the office of the Air Inspector, Headquarters 64^th Air Division (Defense), Pepperrell Air Force Base, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Lester C Weaver, inspected the various squadron activities. This was, in the opinion of Major John S Foster, Squadron Commander, a most appropriate time for an inspection as it provided the new personnel the opportunity to clear up old discrepancies and discover possible weaknesses in their management procedures. As of 31 December, the majority of the discrepancies found by Lt. Colonel Weaver’s team had been corrected and all tangible deficiencies had been eliminated.

Major Foster attended a Commander’s Conference at HQ 64^th AD(D), Pepperrell AFB, on 15 December. At this time, management policies were discussed and general operating procedures were formulated. It was anticipated that the results of this conference would clarify the lines of responsibility and expedite action on matters requiring Command authority.

During November and December, the squadron was visited by three Chaplains. Appropriately, two of these visits were made during the Christmas season. The services conducted by the Chaplains were all enthusiastically attended.

Three Unit Fund Council meetings were held and in each case monies were appropriated for items to improve the airman’s recreation halls and to add to game and hobby equipment.

At the Character Guidance meeting which was held in December, it was decided that the new radio station hours were satisfactory. The increase in the number of hours on the air helps to improve morale of the airmen assigned this unit.

Another recommendation was that all airmen coming overseas be screened for physical and mental aptitude. Because of the isolation of this unit, all airmen have little or no hospital facilities available.

In October, Lieutenant General Glen O Barcus, Commander, United States Northeast Air Command, and a party of officers visited this station. In November, and again in December, Colonel JB Knapp, Commander, Goose Air Base, visited the squadron.

In December, Standard Operating Procedures on Fire Fighting and Evacuation were written.

It was the responsibility of the operations section to make a record of, and report to the Air Defense Control Center, all images plotted on it’s radar scopes. Further, it was responsible for assisting friendly aircraft in matters relative to navigation, local weather and airport conditions.

From 1 October through 31 December, 326 Flight Plans were received; 430 Tracks were plotted, with an average high for one day being twelve (12) tracks. The longest range of any one track, at the initial pick up on the Radar Scope, was 190 nautical miles; while the average pick up range was 120 nautical miles. The flight plans handled and tracks controlled during this period were seven (7) per cent less than those for the previous three months. This was attributed to the more adverse flying weather during the winter months. The capabilities of the equipment remained the same during the comparative periods of time.

From 1 October through 31 December, seven (7) Air Defense Test Warnings were observed by the Operations Section.

On 6 December, operations personnel tracked an L-20 type aircraft until it was forced to land on the ice due to adverse weather while en-route from Resolution Island. The following morning, a rescue aircraft was vectored by operations personnel to the exact location of the downed aircraft. Neither the pilot or his three (3) passengers were injured, although they did suffer great discomfort on the ice overnight. The aircraft completed the flight without further incident that morning.

It was the responsibility of the Radar Maintenance Section to keep the radar equipment operating at maximum efficiency. Further, it was responsible for collecting and recording data pertinent to the operations and maintenance of this equipment.

During the period 1 October through 31 December, the following radar equipment was being used by the Operations Section: (1) AN/FPS-3(C), Primary Search Radar; (2) AN/TPS-502, Height Finder; and (3) AN/GPX-7, Identification Set. The AN/FPS-502, Back-up Search Radar, had not been installed because the electronic components had not been received during the last surface shipping season. It was anticipated that these parts would be received during the next surface shipping season and that the back-up would be installed at that time.

The Primary Search Radar was in operation 2028 hours, 41 minutes or ninety-two percent (92%) of the total time from 1 October through 31 December. 161 hours, 10 minutes, or seven percent (7%) of the total time was spent on routine scheduled maintenance, while 18 hours, 9 minutes, or one percent (1%) of the total time was spent on emergency maintenance. Maintenance difficulties did not establish any definite patterns which would indicate deficiencies in the design or construction of the equipment but were confined for the most part to be replacement of parts which had reached their life expectancy.

The Primary Search Radar has, by virtue of the number of hours in continuous operation, proven to be unusually good equipment. Conversely, the Height Finder has not proven entirely satisfactory in that there is no margin for error in operating technique and fuses were continually blown when activation of the equipment was begun. The difference in operating deficiency of these two units of equipment was contributed to the much greater period of development for the Primary Search Radar as compared to the Height Finder Radar.

It was the responsibility of the Communications Section to provide all administrative point to point communications and all tactical point to point and air ground communications required by the squadron.

The Communications Section was operating Ultra High Frequency and Very High Frequency, air to ground radio equipment, High and Low Frequency, ground to ground (point to point) radio equipment and message center and fixed plant telephone facilities.

The Ultra High Frequency equipment consisted of three each multi-channel transmitters and receivers. This equipment remained operative until the latter part of November, at which time the three multi-channel transmitters went off the air for maintenance for approximately one (1) month, due to lack of spare parts. Two of these three were operative as of 31 December 1954.

The Very High Frequency Radio and teletype equipment remained operative throughout the entire reporting period with an average of 68 per cent perfect communications. Difficulties encountered in this system were due to atmospheric conditions and interference from other stations on our assigned frequency.

The Military Affiliate Radio System Station was rehabilitated in November. Celotex walls were built and equipment was rearranged to improve working conditions. The area was made restricted and a regular operator, A/2C Rufus Florian, Jr., was assigned in December. MARS was considered a stable back-up communication system and its use as a hobby was reduced to actual supervised training periods for those persons interested in obtaining an Amateur Radio Operator’s License. However, over the Christmas holidays, special efforts by Mr. Louis D’Ambrosio, First Lieutenant Joseph R Potvin and A/1C James N Davis, were made to get personal phone patches and messages through to the Zone of Interior for the assigned personnel. As of 31 December, there were no military personnel assigned with an Amateur License, but Lt. Potvin had completed his required examinations and submitted his application for a license. Approximately six (6) men were attending code classes to prepare themselves for the required exams.

The low frequency facility was completed with the exception of repairing the grid-ground system which was damaged by vehicles passing over it. Unfortunately, a path was started through the area of the grid-ground system during the construction season, and through constant use, this path became a road. It was determined that the only solution would be to repair the system and freeze it into the ground until such time as the road could be re-routed. As of 31 December, the low frequency facility was receiving transmissions from Goose Air Base at an efficient signal level but was not transmitting a readable signal. It was estimated that the necessary repairs would be completed within ninety (90) days.

The Pole-Vault, or tropospheric scatter system was approximately ninety-fine per cent (95%) completed. Unofficial tests were made on reduced power, in December 1954 and they were successful. This was the first time in history that this system had been successfully used as a means of communications. Mr. Louis D’Ambrosio, Canadian Bell Telephone Company Engineer and A/2C Gerald O Saltar were the operators. It was anticipated that this system would revolutionize communications through its versatility.

It was the responsibility of the Motor Pool to keep the vehicles operational and the roads cleared, in order to provide transportation for squadron personnel and equipment.

During the period 1 October through 31 December 1954, 17 vehicles were assigned to the motor pool and an average of 14 of these were on an operational status at all times. Two (2) vehicles were damaged in accidents and were repaired by motor pool personnel. Major overhauls were performed on four (4) of the vehicles.

A new over-head door was installed, a concrete floor was laid, a separate structure was built to garage the bulldozer, and extensive painting was done as part of a rehabilitation problem during the three month period prior to 31 December 1954.

A garage parking space plan was initiated which provided easier entrance and exit of vehicles. It saved that time which previously had been spent in removing vehicles away from the entrance.

The responsibilities of the Air Installations Section included the maintenance of all installed building utilities and facilities, the fabrication of items essential to the operation of various squadron activities and items necessary for the health and welfare of all personnel.

During the period 1 October through 31 December 1954, Fire Prevention and Security Practices were given special attention by the Air Installations Section. Standard Operating Procedures were written and all personnel were instructed on the use and care of fire fighting equipment and the procedures to follow in case of a fire.

The construction of five rooms in the rear of the Officer’s Recreation Hall, to be used as Transient Officer’s Quarters, was commenced in November.

Soundproof walls were built in the MARS Station and additional heating facilities were added.

An extensive painting program was in progress which included the painting of the equipment and floors in the Diesel and Boiler Plants. This project was supervised by Second Lieutenant John C Newman. Assistance was given by Resolution Island transient personnel.

In December, the incinerator and sewage pumping system became operative. The incinerator was used to destroy classified materials and to dispose of burnable waste which was piling up in the dump. The water pump eliminated the need to haul water from the lower base by truck. This greatly improved the laundry and toilet facilities and provided a great savings in manpower and tank truck utilization.

Shelving was constructed in the Paint Shed. This allowed greater space utilization and improved general paint storage conditions.

A soundproof telephone booth was constructed in November which was utilized in conjunction with phone patches made through Military Affiliate Radio System to the Zone of Interior.

New heating plants were installed in the Transmitter and Receiver buildings.

Pre-heaters were installed on the incoming boiler furl lines. This eliminated storing inflammable and unsightly oil tanks in the boiler room.

In October, a soundproof office was built in the diesel plant in order to give the operators a quiet place in which to work on their records.

A kitchen range and several washing machines were disassembled and overhauled during this reporting period.

The responsibilities of the Supply Section were the acquisition and issue, storage, and maintenance of records on Unit Authorization List Property and spares required by the various squadron activities.

From 1 October through 31 December 1954, uncrating, identification and storage, and maintenance of stock records of supplies was a very time-consuming task due to the preponderance of incoming during the previous surface shipping season. As of 31 December, the majority of this work had been accomplished and refinements were being made on the methods employed in accomplishing this task.

I November, Second Lieutenant Ted H Hodge, Jr. Went TDY to Goose Air Base to coordinate supply matters with the Base Accountable Supply Officer and the 64^th Air Division (Defense) Liaison Office. This trip proved very beneficial as he was able to complete action on 45 requisitions and to establish improved methods for processing requisitions.

During this period, considerable time was spent on bringing the publications file up to date and on requisitioning those publications that were yet required.

In December, stock levels were established for all sections and requisitions were submitted to acquire these levels. The only major difficulties were in the acquisition of certain C&E spare parts which were requisitioned on a high priority.

It was the responsibility of the Medical Department to provide clinical medical assistance to the sick or injured, up to that degree requiring professional medical treatment. Further, they were responsible for the general sanitation standards of the unit.

Squadron health was satisfactory with the exception of a few cases of upper respiratory infections, probably caused by close confinement to buildings using a central heating system and personnel not acclimated to the Arctic weather. All infirmities treated were of a minor nature, including two cases of frost-bite. Three men were sent to Goose Air Base for dental treatment due to lack of facilities at this base.

An analysis of the water system disclosed that a breakdown in the chlorinator had brought the Parts Per Million chlorine content in the water to a zero level. The chlorinator was changed in order to gain back the desired Parts Per Million average of 0.5. On 31 December, the average had been raised to 0.4, which was considered a safe level.

A daily preventative medicine inspection of the site was conducted and marked improvement was shown in personal sanitation.

A reorganization of First Aid Kits was made and all kits were replenished.

Classes on personal hygiene, frost-bite, emergency medical treatment and electric shock have been conducted at the Airman’s Information Program and special classes were being prepared for all men in the Communications Section.

During October 1954, radio equipment was installed in a soundproof room built by the squadron Air Installations Section and radio station S-K-I-M-O went on the air for the first time, operating on a power of 10 watts, on a 48 hour per week schedule. Second Lieutenant John S Nigro was the Officer in Charge and Mr. Tom Doran was the Station Engineer, and the following men were serving as announcers:

During December, additional camera dark room equipment was received and A/1c Richard D Weller was appointed Non- commissioned Officer in Charge of that activity. Additional books for the library and records for the radio station were also received during the month of December.

Over the Christmas holiday, Staff Sergeant Creighton O Wash, Mess Steward, prepared special holiday menus appropriate to the occasion.

In November, the Sunday and Holiday meal schedules were changed from the regular three meals per day to two meals, with breakfast being from 0800 to 1030 hours and supper from 1500 to 1730 hours. This change met with the approval of all personnel as it afforded the men the opportunity of sleeping in on holidays and lessened the work load for the mess personnel.

Over ninety-two per cent (92%) of the total assigned personnel of the squadron returned to the Zone of Interior on normal rotation during the period 1 October through 31 October 1954. In most cases, replacements arrived no more than one day in advance of the departure of the rotating personnel. Every section was hampered due to the lack of indoctrination in the duties that were to be performed by the personnel replacements. Further, the number of replacements did not equal the number of rotatees and the squadron was 24 personnel short of its authorized strength on 31 December 1954. In some cases, sections had their complete personnel authorization, but the Supply and Communications Sections were two sections that were undermanned and they were required to borrow unskilled personnel from other sections in order to perform their required functions.

In the Supply Section, only three airmen were assigned. One of these airmen was a 64010, Supply Helper, and two were 64131’s, Apprentice Supply Technician. This section was authorized six airmen, three of whom were skill level airmen. The lack of experience of the assigned personnel was presently being alleviated in the Supply Section by the assignment of A/1c Jerry G Johnson, a Classification Specialist from the Orderly Room, with seven (7) years experience in the military service and T/Sgt. Edgar L Neibert, an Aircraft Control and Warning Operator from the Operations Section. These men were to help guide the trained but inexperienced supply personnel assigned. It was felt that airmen with previous military experience, although not in supply, would be able to assist in the operation of the Supply Section.

The Communications Section was authorized 29 airmen but only had 15 assigned as of 31 December 1954. This lack of personnel was a hardship upon those assigned because the telephone switchboard, Radio Receiver and Transmitter sites, and the Radio Teletype Message Center required that someone be present at all times. To alleviate this hardship, unskilled personnel were borrowed from other sections to work on shifts with the more highly skilled personnel in the Communications Section, until they had received enough training to assume the duties which required the least skill.

It was the opinion of this unit that until the proper number of airmen were assigned, some malassignment of personnel would be required.

Although the sections, from which the airmen were assigned, may have had their operational efficiency limited by loaning their personnel to other sections, it was felt that more good could be accomplished by proportioning them out to other sections with shortages, than by keeping them at their assigned duties.

In addition to shortages in number, there existed a shortage of skilled personnel. This placed an additional workload on supervisory personnel as it required them to very closely monitor the activities of their people in addition to training them. In this respect, civilian technical representatives, Messrs. Michael Cummins, William Wolff, and Ernest Wilkinson of Canadian Marconi Company and Mr. Tom Doran of the Philco Corporation, were of very great assistance to the military supervisors. Training during this time period was, by necessity, limited to on-the-job training.

Morale was at a very high level during this period. The rotatees were excited about going home and the newly arrived personnel were content with settling down to their new jobs and organizing their personal affairs for the forthcoming year. It was interesting to note that, almost without exception, all of the new personnel had expected fewer conveniences than was offered them at this station. Further, very few had any experience in the Arctic and it offered a stimulating challenge.