1882nd History Report 1969
1882nd CS History Report 1969
Organization
The 1882nd Communications Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base is under the command of Major John R. McWilliams. The squadron is broken down into three work sections, operations, maintenance and flight facilities. The number of personnel assigned to the 1882nd during this period averaged around 170 men.
During the period April thru June 1969, the 1882nd Communications Squadron worked on many projects which brought about better services to the two flying wings and over forty tenant units stationed at Phan Rang.
Weather facsimile recorders were installed in the base weather station on 28 April 1969. This new facility provides the base with a capability to receive current, accurate graphic weather data on a timely and continuing basis. UHF ground-air –ground radios were installed in the 834 Air Division Airlift Control Element (ALCE) facility to provide special aircraft control capabilities. The installation was completed on 23 June 69 and is a permanent, fixed facility that will eventually replace mobile equipment now in use.
A telephone cable installation project started on 30 June 1969, it will provide the base security police a fast, reliable means of communications between their perimeter guard towers and the Central Security Control. This project is expected to be completed in late December 1969. More than a dozen outside plant telephone cable projects have been initiated through programming channels to modernize, supplement, and distribute cable into designated areas throughout the base. When these projects are completed, the net result will be better service to customers located in areas presently inadequately supplied telephone service.
An extensive program was initiated on 7 June 1969 to replace all presently installed teletype equipment with faster, more efficient, and more dependable equipment. Replacement of the older equipment will provide standardization of teletype equipment in all on-base communication centers and will not only give better service, but will be more economical to maintain. Included in the program was a requirement to provide a different type of ciphering equipment which is better suited to the environments found in the base communications centers. A program to modernize the 315th Special Operation Wing communication center equipment, both teletype and Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment was initiated on 17 June 1969. The presently installed inadequate mobile facilities will be replaced by a permanent installation with up-dated equipment.
The Nav-Aids Communications Management Office (NCMO/Maintenance Control function moved from the second floor of the Air Traffic Control Tower to the Base Communications building. Status display charts and a controller console was constructed and installed on a self help basis. A telephone key system was installed to improve communications between the workcenters, staff functions and the NCMO/Maintenance Control.
Re-broadcast of Nha Trang FM radio programming for Phan Rang personnel was made possible by the installation of TRC-24 communications equipment. This equipment, although not designed for commercial broadcasting, was modified by the communications squadron to provide adequate signal strength so that the programming could be received in all areas of the base. On the recommendation of Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFNV) technician, the base television rebroadcast station was relocated from a site on base to a more favorable location at the Phan Rang beach facility. The move of the equipment was accomplished in late June and adequate testing was needed before operation could be resumed.
Transmission Security (TRANSEC) received emphasis during this reporting period with all on-base units being reminded of their responsibility to have and carry out an active TRANSEC program. The 1882nd Communications Squadron C_E Operations Officer (Base TRANSEC Officer) began giving an initial talk on TRANSEC at the weekly newcomers briefing held for all new arrivals on base.
A semi-annual Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI) of all non-tactical radios on base was conducted during this reporting period. The PMI was the first complete inspection of the leased non-tactical radios ever performed on Phan Rang. Numerous minor discrepancies were cleared with the result being an improvement in reliability of the 800 units used on Phan Rang.
The base Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) station greatly improved its phone patch handling capability with adoption of better methods, more aggressive operator action, and general upgrading of equipment reliability and capability. This reporting period reflected an continued increase in the number of telephone patches placed by Phan Rang personnel back to the continental United States. In excess of 2300 telephone patches per month were completed via MARS.
Base Communication Center traffic remained fairly stable in April, May, and June with over 13,00 narrative messages being sent by Phan Rang organizations and over 43,000 being received. Data pattern (card) traffic continued to increase in volume with over 4,300 data card messages being sent by the communications center. Approximately 11,116 card messages were received.
The SEA Automatic Telephone System neared completion during this period. Preliminary work in the Phan Rang Dial Telephone Exchange (DTE) was well underway by 1 June and almost completed by the end of June. The long distance telephone lines were to be re-terminated in July 1969 and at that time Phan Rang subscribers would have direct dial capability.
Flight Facilities
Air Traffic Control (ATC) services were provided by the Phan Rang Control Tower, Ground Control Approach (GCA) and Dalat Cam Ly GCA. Monthly totals of aircraft handled for each ATC facility are as follows:
Traffic count for the period were:
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
| Tower |
43,756 |
35,131 |
36,745 |
30,110 |
24,423 |
24,019 |
| GCA |
734 |
1,220 |
1,274 |
1,252 |
1,196 |
8* |
| Dalat |
|
|
|
212 |
140 |
393 |
|
July |
August |
September |
October |
Novermber |
December |
| Tower |
26,648 |
28,976 |
25,646 |
29,788 |
22,519 |
24,988 |
| GCA |
* |
* |
* |
144 |
457 |
400 |
* The GCA unit AN/MPN-15 was decommissioned at 0700 hours local time, 1jun 1969. It is to be replaced with an AN/MPN-13. Operational date for the new radar is 31 Jul 1969
The following number of aircraft were provided emergency service during the reporting period indicated:
Emergencies varied in nature from live ordance problems to air craft control malfunctions to engine failures and ill passengers.
The relocated Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) facility
was commissioned on 5 April 1969. Revised TACAN instrument approach procedures were prepared and published. Numerous operations letters and letters of agreement were drafted or revised to incorporate the changing in location of TACAN and to overall improve Air Traffic Control capabilities and procedures. During this period, the Flight Facilities Officer was instrumental in writing and revising Phan Rang Air Traffic Control Manual 55-1.
The GCA unit was satisfactorily flight checked on 15 Oct 69 and commenced operations on 23 Oct 69. The unit is presently in a training status providing Visual Flight Reference (VFR) services during the period 0700 to 2400 local. The primary difficulty being experienced with the GCA unit is loss of the aircraft's radar target on the downwind and base legs. Raising the surveillance antenna tilt and use of a higher GCA pattern altitude on downwind leg, from 3400 ft to 4000 ft, appeared to have improved the radar coverage in this area; however, radar blind spots have again appeared intermittently. It has been recommended that an additional GCA unit be obtained for the purpose of locating a new site, i.e., for siting of the unit on higher ground. The 1st Mobile Comm Gp has suggested utilizing the existing unit; however, the 1882nd CS and 1964th CG do not concur. AFR 23-5 (Request for Mobile Communications) action is being held in abeyance pending a decision by higher headquarters.
AUTODIN (DSTE)
The Digital Subscriber Terminal Equipment (DSTE) program in support of the Seek Data II System is moving at a satisfactory pace. Installation of the DSTE Terminals is underway at Phan Rang. Estimated test and acceptance of these facilities will be completed prior to 15 Jan 70. The DSTE AUTODIN terminals began to arrive in-country and installation was begun in December. This system will provide improved communications, particularly to in-country airlift organizations. The DSTE's were developed under an Army contract to provide standard equipment for all the uniformed services.
Base Attacks
| 1969 |
| Attack |
Aircraft |
Personnel |
| Seq No |
Date/Time |
Type |
Rounds |
Destroyed |
Damaged |
KIA |
WIA |
| 155 |
Jan 26 00:15 |
Sapper & Stand Off |
74 |
2 |
11 |
0 |
15 |
| 157 |
Feb 22 01:28 |
Stand Off |
86 |
0 |
20 |
0 |
6 |
| 164 |
Feb 24 01:32 |
Stand Off |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 168 |
Mar 15 01:17 |
Stand Off |
34 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| 169 |
Mar 15 05:54 |
Stand Off |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 170 |
Mar 16 19:04 |
Stand Off |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| 171 |
Mar 19 02:35 |
Stand Off |
36 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 175 |
Mar 21 22:54 |
Stand Off |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 176 |
Mar 24 02:34 |
Stand Off |
41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 181 |
Apr 13 01:28 |
Stand Off |
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 186 |
Apr 21 23:58 |
Stand Off |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 191 |
May 12 00:47 |
Stand Off |
30 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| 194 |
May 12 05:30 |
Stand Off |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| 197 |
May 16 00:21 |
Stand Off |
22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 200 |
May 22 00:03 |
Stand Off |
18 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 201 |
May 22 21:08 |
Stand Off |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 207 |
Jun 06 03:03 |
Stand Off |
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| 211 |
Jun 07 16:20 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
| 213 |
Jun 11 00:01 |
Stand Off |
17 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 219 |
Jun 18 23:59 |
Stand Off |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| 220 |
Jun 20 19:24 |
Stand Off |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| 226 |
Jul 15 15:43 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 227 |
Jul 19 23:25 |
Stand Off |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 229 |
Jul 20 06:49 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 235 |
Sep 04 23:47 |
Stand Off |
18 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
| 240 |
Sep 13 00:07 |
Stand Off |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 241 |
Sep 20 18:40 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| 245 |
Nov 04 08:10 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 246 |
Nov 04 12:08 |
Stand Off |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 247 |
Nov 09 15:45 |
Stand Off |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 250 |
Nov 16 08:15 |
Stand Off |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 251 |
Nov 21 09:15 |
Stand Off |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 253 |
Dec 03 07:55 |
Stand Off |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 257 |
Dec 14 09:40 |
Stand Off |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total Phan Rang |
34 |
525 |
2 |
38 |
2 |
52 |
| Total AF Vietnam |
108 |
1184 |
7 |
107 |
17 |
167 |
| Phan Rang Percentage |
31.5% |
44.3% |
28.6% |
35.5% |
11.8% |
31.1% |
| AIR BASE TOTALS FOR 1969 |
| BASE |
Attacks |
Inbound
Rounds |
Aircraft |
Personnel |
| Destroyed |
Damaged |
KIA |
WIA |
| Phan Rang |
34 |
525 |
2 |
38 |
2 |
52 |
| Bien Hoa |
21 |
228 |
3 |
15 |
2 |
20 |
| Da Nang |
16 |
119 |
2 |
19 |
8 |
57 |
| Pleiku |
12 |
35 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
11 |
| Binh Thuy |
7 |
152 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
| Cam Ranh Bay |
7 |
63 |
0 |
26 |
1 |
7 |
| Nha Trang |
5 |
34 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
| Phu Cat |
3 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
| Tan Son Nhut |
3 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
