Upon your arrival at Thule, you will be met at the Air Terminal by a Company representative, assigned to living quarters, and be advised of the requirement to attend the next Site Orientation Program.

HOUSING

Accommodations will be provided free of charge in modern dormitory buildings or military-style barracks. Most personnel are assigned two to a room. This may vary depending upon room availability and position title. All buildings have furnished rooms, lavatory facilities, free automatic washers and dryers, and lounges with television.

DINING

Food will be provided without cost to you in a clean, attractive dining hall operated by the RCA Service Company. Well-balanced meals are planned and prepared by professional cooks and restaurant personnel. A wide variety menu, including such items as beef, seafood, and a complete variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, is made possible through a unique airborne food supply system, Food service is available on schedules which will accommodate all work shifts.

In addition to the large dining hall at the base, a small but equally attractive cafeteria is located at the Technical Site where full-course luncheon meals are served to those working in that area.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Medical service will be provided by the RCA Medical Staff. An infirmary is operated for the treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. In the event of serious injury or illness, you will be admitted to the Air Force Hospital. Emergency dental treatment will also be available at the Base Hospital.

In the interests of preventive medicine, a complete health program is administered by trained RCA personnel for the protection of all Site employees. Periodic physical examinations are administered by qualified medical personnel, Routine inspections of all operational locations are made for the arrest and prevention of communicable diseases, and for monitoring the occupational health program. Sanitary and industrial hygiene engineers of the operating command make regular health surveys of the entire Site and its facilities.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Religious services are provided by Thule Air Base in a chapel that is staffed by Catholic and Protestant chaplains. Jewish services are usually conducted by a Jewish layman. Schedules of weekly services are available at the base.

TRANSPORTATION

Adequate, free transportation is provided by shuttle buses which run at 30-minute intervals to all major points of operation on the base. Regularly scheduled buses are also provided for traveling to and from work at the Technical Site.

WEATHER

The weather phase conditions are hereby listed with precautionary measures as follows:

Phase I: A period designated by the Base Commander when initial preparstions will be made for an impending storm. It will normally be a period when winds are in excess of 30 knots and/or when weather is considered a hazard to life and property.

Phase I Precautionary Measures:

1. Personnel are alerted for a possible Phase II and III.
2. All personnel are restricted to the base proper with the exception of emergency maintenance and utility operations.
3. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be limited to essential service activities necessary to maintain operation of the base.
4. Precautions will be taken to secure all loose equipment.

Phase II: A period of restricted activity designated by the Base Commander when full precautions will be taken to safeguard life and property because of existing hazardous weather conditions. This will normally be a period when winds are between 30 and 50 knots and/or when weather is considered a hazard to life and property.

Phase II Precautionary Measures:

1. Personnel are alerted for the possible announcement of Phase III.
2. All personnel will return to their quarters except those who are required to perform essential operations.
3. All personnel are restricted to the base proper.
4. In the early part of this phase, the motor pool may be called upon for movement of groups of personnel. Bus and taxi service will be maintained as long as possible.
5. Vehicles not designated by unit commanders as essential will be returned to the appropriate motor pool, Water and waste trucks, ambulances, and fire and crash vehicles will be operationally available for use at all times during this phase.
6. Dining halls will continue to serve on regular schedules.
7. Community areas, including all clubs, theaters, hobby shops, the gym, chapel, and Base Exchange will be closed.
8. Essential and emergency base functions will continue as is necessary for the health and protection of personnel and equipment.

Phase III: A period of very closely restricted activity designated by the Base Commander when full precautions will be taken to safeguard life and property because of existing hazardous weather conditions. This will normally be a period when winds exceed 50 knots and/or when weather is considered a hazard to life and property.

Phase III Precautionary Measures:

1. All personnel will proceed to the nearest available shelter and remain there for the duration of Phase III.
2. Designated emergency or. essential indoor activity is permitted.
3. Only personnel designated to perform specific emergency or essential operations are authorized to engage in outside activity,
4. Vital functions will continue limited operations as directed.

FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES MAY NECESSITATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION OR POSSIBLE TERMINATION.

CLOTHING

Upon your arrival you will be issued a parka, boots, gloves, Arctic pants and suspenders. These items must be carried with you when traveling to J-Site from October 1 to May 15. You must return this clothing at the completion of your tour. Naturally, if you lose any of these items, you will be required to pay for their replacement.

TOOLS AND TOOL KITS

Depending upon the nature and extent of your particular job, some of you may require specialized tools and tool kits. These will be iesued to you on Site on a loan basis, being signed for and returned upon completion of your tour.

MAIL SERVICE

For incoming personal mail you will be assigned a numbered individual mail box located at the mail room in the dining hall. For outgoing mail, there are conveniently located letter drops. Although postage stamps may be purchased at the mail room, all other postal services are handled through the Base Post Office.

Letters and parcel post packages from Thule to the United States normally take three to seven days. If you have a package that exceeds parcel post weight and volume limitations described under Baggage, contact the Base Transportation Office. You will only have to pay the cost of postal or freight charges from the MATS Terminal to the destination in the US.

All personal mail sent to you should be addressed as follows:

Your Name and Box Number
RCA BMEWS Project
APO, New York 09023

COMMUNICATIONS

Morale telephone calls may be made by BMEWS employees on the Company tie-line from Thule after PHQ working hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.). Since there is a long waiting period, you are asked to limit your calls to five minutes. Your private telephone number will be billed for the charges from Project Headquarters to your home. Please tell your family that there may be an occasional interruption in the service because of cable breaks.

Private cablegrams may be transmitted to Europe and the United States through the Danish radio station OZZ via commercial circuits.

This service is available in the Base Communication-Center. Your message, which must be paid in advance, will be relayed by Danish radio. Wire orders for flowers are also excepted.

Personal messages from the U.S. to Thule Air Base should be filed with Western Union, marked “via RCA” and addressed as follows:

Your Name and Box Number
RCA Service Company
BMEWS Project
Thule Air Base, Greenland

It is also sometimes possible to place personal phone calls from Thule to your home via the Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS). This is accomplished through a scheduled hookup with amateur radio operators in the U.S., who in turn make it possible to talk to your families through a combination of radio and telephone. The cost consists of the long distance charge from the amateur radio station in the U.S. to the location of the telephone exchange called; all calls are made collect.

BANKING FACILITIES

There are no banking facilities at Thule Air Base. In view of this, it is highly recommended that you maintain a stateside personal checking account and carry an adequate supply of checks. For those of you going to Site for short visits, it is recommended that you make arrangements with your supervisor to have your paychecks deposited in your checking account while you are at Site. This is most important, since there is always the possibility of unexpectedly prolonging your stay due to business, weather conditions, etc.

Personal checks up to $200 maybe cashed by the Site Finance and Office Services activity with the prior approval of your supervisor. This privilege can be revoked if it is abused. The service clubs and the base exchange can also accept personal checks in payment for purchases.

PAYCHECKS

Those of you on permanent assignment at Site I will receive partial paychecks, with the remainder of the amount due deposited in a Stateside bank of your choice, or sent to your home if you wish. You will be asked to complete Payroll Authorization Cards, on which you will designate where your check should be sent while you are at Site.

BASE EXCHANGE

At the Base Exchange you may purchase toiletries, tobacco, candy, stationery, and many other small items. Many luxury items, as well as basic items, are available at considerable savings over prices for similar merchandise in the U.S.

Although the Base Exchange has been authorized for your use, the Base Commander has requested that you use moderation in your purchases. Due to resupply problems, the availability of this facility can at any time be restricted to the purchase of necessities only.

LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING

In addition to the laundry equipment available in the housing area, laundry and dry cleaning services are available at nominal cost through the Base Laundry. These services generally take seven days.

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

The following shops are available at Thule Air Base:

Barber Shop Shoe Repair Shop
Tailor Shop Jewelry Repair Shop