contributed by Will Willhoite
My first new radar site was the 783rd Guthrie AFS, Charleston, WV. Jerry Young, myself and 2 others arrived at the train station on Saturday night and were told by the Station Master that we should be able to find transportation at the Post Office. After walking about a mile we found the Post Office and an old olive drab 6X6. After leaving a message that we were there, the 4 of us went looking at the town. I can say one thing, it took less than 5 minutes before dates with the local girls were made.
We found the truck driver and about 11 PM headed for the site. On the way to the site we were told there was no hot water on the site and the boiler plant was not yet on line full time. We also learned there were 6 enlisted and 4 Officers on the site. The good things were that the barracks were clean and there were plenty of blankets. On Sunday morning, S/Sgt Shanahan, Supply Sgt, told us to go eat, even though it was near 10 AM. Being hungry we went to the Mess Hall and were what we`d like to eat, steak and eggs, pork chops and eggs, or ham and eggs.
We ordered and were fed the best ever. Talking with the cooks and KPs, we learned the KP on duty was a 2nd Lt. and was he ever happy to see us! It seemed the Squadron Commander Major Klapper, who had transferred to the 783rd from L-22 Lockbourne AFB, OH, had decided that the only people who were exempt from KP duty were himself and the cooks (who did their own pots and pans). On Tuesday that changed. Another 10 people came in on Monday and more throughout week.
When we arrived at the 783rd there was still no reliable hot water and of course the area was a mud bowl. Going from the topo map shown in the Site information there are a few points which I would like to give. As with all radar sites at that time the Radio Transmitter and Receivers were at split sites. Here the receivers were located in front of the BOQ and the transmitters were located on the road which led to the second set of Housing.
Below the barracks and to the north, where the GATR site was built we developed a Firing Range and further down the hill in the mornings we were able to see whisps of smoke rising. At that time there were 5 or 6 active stills in operation and one dare not venture into that area. Oh, the locals were friendly enough, but those airman who did investigate were met by one or more persons with rifles who kindly requested the guys go back to the site.
Some interesting information about the manning and equipment for the Radar Section. When the Air Force first purchased and manned the radar sites the radar equipment was not only the Radars and IFF equipment, but also included the telephone systems, i.e. mainframe, switchboard and all communication equipment in the Operations room. It seemed the manning and equipment was set up after the mobile radar sites and the Radar Maintenance section had responsibility for the Power House and Motor Pool as well.
During the summer of 1951, there was no equipment assigned, or for that matter any Technical Orders or training material available, so most of the personnel were given the pleasure of helping get the grounds shaped up and neat. In late August and September of 1951, Technical Orders on the FPS-3 started arriving and had to be inventoried and placed in binders. Once we had enough Technical Orders a training program was started.
At that time the Technical Representative assigned was Mr. Lilly, who worked for Philco. He developed a training plan and started going over systems operation. It must have been difficult since there was no physical equipment available to show and tell. I my opinion Mr. Lilly did an excellent job giving the basic information on the radar. Once the Bendix FPS-3 training program started in Baltimore, some of us were sent for training. I did not get that training until after the FPS-3 had been installed and was running. During the check out period we found several problems, including the fact when one switched from the long to short range mode, if the switch was flipped just right the transmitters would not function (discovered to be a design flaw). Had a difficult time convincing Bendix of the problem until I went for training when we caused the malfunction and left it for the engineers to find. Of course they did not and after a weekend we had to show them what happened. Thank goodness, we had a couple of hard-nosed CWO 4`s who instigated with us.
In March 1952, I made SGT and was sent to Bendix for training. When I returned from there I ended up in charge of the Radar Section and was asked if it were possible to put the system into an operational status. It was and we did. The oldest enlisted man in the section was under 21 years old. Later there may have been a glut of Radar Maintenance personnel assigned, but at that time there were a total of 8 men plus Mr. Lilly available to maintain the equipment 24/7. 2 men on each of 3 crews, two on days and to fill in when needed and Mr. Lilly, who almost lived on the site. The two men who were on days spent many hours in the maintenance room. The 783rd was one of the first new sites to go operational in the 30th Air Division.
Some other information about the Radar Site in general. When the Air Force opened the radar sites the telephone cable from town was Air Force owned and maintained. The road from the main highway was also owned and maintained by the Air Force. When one turned off the highway there was a sign stating that fact. I have seen a question or comment about the garage-type doors on the Administrative Building. That was the entry to the regular supply. Technical Supply was located elsewhere and assigned to the Radar Section. The Administrative Building consisted of Supply, the Orderly Room and Day Room. At one time all of the sites with that configuration were the same.
I arrived at the 783rd in May 1951 and left in May 1954 when discharged. It was a fun place since the local people accepted us without reservation. Well, except those young local men who were forced to share the girls.