Historical Record
1 December 1957 to 31 May 1958
1 Dec 57
Quiet day, little flying.
2 Dec 57
An active day operationally during flying period 0800Z to 2206Z. One hand-off attempted with USAF but failed because of radio trouble. Three hand-offs successful with RAF. Extensive flying for day resulted in three mission refusals. 5D29 emergency low on fuel, compass and radio compass unserviceable, landed safely at Chaumont.
3 Dec 57
Chopstick "A" diverted from AIs to live scramble on Joplin track 605J. Hand-off to Joplin completed for intercept but CF-100s unable to catch unknown aircraft. Unknown later identified as Netherlands F-84s. Squawk 4 FE1540 also left hand triangle, aircraft led-in to Marville by Catfish 2. Extensive night flying from 1, 3, and 4 (F) Wings, again some successful hand-offs to RAF GCIs.
4 Dec 57
Early morning double scramble of Zulus at 0800Z successfully handed off to USAF for control.
5 Dec 57
Little flying because of poor weather. Scheduled Argus exercise postponed till 6 Dec 57. T80 unserviceability necessitates its being used as back-up to be operated only in emergencies and for hot or live intercepts.
6 Dec 57
T80 ordered in use for exercise Argus. A total of nine successful intercepts made with RCAF aircraft by YJ. Argus exercise discontinued at 1240Z poor weather conditions. Two emergencies during evening shift monitored only by this unit.
7 Dec 57
No flying, poor weather and runway conditions. Operation Jump-Moat scheduled for today postponed.
8 Dec 57
Operation Jump Moat aircraft landed at Langar. Unit Status 3 MPS-11 unserviceable from 1337Z to 2115Z. All flying scrubbed, weather and runway icing.
9 Dec 57
Weather improving some flying with successful hand-offs made with RAF. Yardarm Zulu Tango diverted from practice scramble to investigate emergency. Emergency one F-100, with flame-out, re-light successful and safe landing made at Landstuhl.
10 Dec 57
Squawk 4 HE3000 Handcuff Golf Two and Chopstick Alfa diverted to investigate. Another Mayday, French Mystere exploded in mid-air ten miles southwest of Marville, helicopter directed to scene. Scene of crash located, pilot killed, helicopter remaining in area until French police arrive. Horseman Zulu "P" and Yardarm Zulu "T" diverted on live track in KE area and successful identification made.
12 Dec 57
Synthex Guest exercise this date total of 32 ADF sorties and 40 strike sorties flown by Wings.
13 Dec 57
Zulu aircraft requested as many scrambles as possible low on flying time. Signals AF66 and 67 advise that GCI/GCA letdowns are to be practiced whenever possible on weekends with Zulu aircraft.
16 Dec 57
Three live diversions on tracks showing IFF coming out of Switzerland all identified as American aircraft. Extensive night flying with successful hand-offs to RAF control. F/O Janes new controller reported in from Canada.
17 Dec 57
Little flying, most stations have ice on runways. One Zulu scramble on distress track intercepted a Belgian T-33 in no apparent trouble. Four Wing only wing night flying, other wings scheduled, but cancelled because of weather.
18 Dec 57
Normal flying, one Zulu section diverted to live scramble on track coming out of ADIZ identified as USAF F-86D.
19 Dec 57
Considerable flying with hand-offs to RAF control. Two hand-offs to USAF failed because of ever-present VHF failure at USAF end.
20 Dec 57
Bad weather all scheduled flying washed out. This unit advised that there would be no Zulu practice scrambles over the Christmas New Year period. Work started on new building for technical and administrative offices.
21 Dec 57
MPS-11 unserviceable from 0100Z to 2230Z. Unit Status 3 no search radar.
22 Dec 57
Number two in a Four Wing Zulu section crashed on take-off, aircraft totally destroyed.
23 Dec 57
Scan Plan daily weekday flight to check radar and communications washed out until 30 Dec.
27 Dec 57
Bad weather, serious icing conditions on runways, Zulus released to 30 and 60 minutes status. Unit Status 3 for 4 hours, MPS-11 on maintenance.
30 Dec 57
Weather cleared considerably, back to local flying.
1 Jan 58
Happy New Year 1958. Nil flying. Minimum Operations. F/L Wallis promoted to S/L F/O Fry promoted to F/L.
2 Jan 58
MPS-11 on maintenance. Reduced control staff, five mission refusals. Twenty five intercepts done on exercise Bomex.
3 Jan 58
Festive Season complete, back to normal operations. F/L Ker and F/O Brewer new controllers reported in from Canada. F/O Brewer and previously mentioned F/O Janes to fill in for two controllers who are to be released to train aircrew to be posted in from the Wings at a later date.
5 Jan 58
Air Force Police intercepted French hunters in area of transmitter site and warned them not to come too close to the site. No night flying because of weather storm warning of winds up to sixty-five knots.
6 Jan 58
Normal flying during day but washed out at night because of weather.
7 Jan 58
One Zulu section diverted to live scramble and track identified as a USAF B-57 .
8 Jan 58
Yellowjack has track 013 inside buffer zone, heading north east. Passport identified as NTQ. Squawk 4 JO1617 heading northeast Student Zulu Oscar 2 had aileron trouble, landed at Marville.
9 Jan 58
Argus exercise cancelled, fighters at 1, 2, and 4 Wings released. Third Air Police had Air Defence Warning Test.
10 Jan 58
Track 012 (on Argus) heading across border in LE0016. 445 squadron unable to hold aircraft on 10 minutes state as their readiness shelters have not been built, on 15 and 30 minutes at 445 squadrons request.
11 Jan 58
Executive assistant to the Air Officer Commanding visited Yellowjack and controlled Strongbox Zulu Romeo. Airforce 112 (RCAF) while under Yellowjack control sighted object at 60,000 or above. Yellowjack no contact.
12 Jan 58
Quiet day.
13 Jan 58
Passport requested YJ to go onto the T80 for 30 minutes, they were having trouble in the ADIZ area.
14 Jan 58
Weather at 1 and 3 Wings delayed Zulu take offs. Zulu Oscar scrambled live on emergency squawk, aircraft in no trouble, suspected parrot was sick. Height Finder 3 damaged and not to be used except in emergency.
15 Jan 58
Quiet day.
16 Jan 58
Exercise Synthex Quest night flying cancelled.
17 Jan 58
Scan Plan and night flying cancelled due to weather.
18 Jan 58
Moselle informed YJ that Migrate Alpha Lead (F-100) believed crashed 8 miles east of Etain.
19 Jan 58
Passport requested a live scramble on track #3. Two sections of Sabres diverted. Track #3 did orbit at buffer zone but did not enter.
20 Jan 58
All of the Wings runways are in condition red owing to snow and ice. Chopstick Alpha diverted to emergency squawk, contact lost on SOS, and aircraft diverted to base.
21 Jan 58
Practice "Pan" on 121.5, requesting steer.
22 Jan 58
Soellingen advises only accepting hot or live scrambles owing to nil alternates.
23 Jan 58
A section of 4 F-86s diverted live after track 487, the Type 80 radar was ordered on. Track was a B-66 under Barbara control.
24 Jan 58
All Canadian fields closed due to snow, later in the day 4 Wing was the only one able to hold Zulu.
25 Jan 58
Air conditioning failed but became serviceable one hour and 10 minutes later.
26 Jan 58
W/C Ockenden authorized 3 Wing Zulus on 1 hour releases.
27 Jan 58
1 and 3 Wing have poor weather. American bases the same, no alternates, night flying cancelled.
28 Jan 58
C-47 #634 from 2 Wing called on R/T for 61 AC&W Squadron. 109 Communications Flight informed to brief their crews on correct call sign.
29 Jan 58
Commanding Officer of No. 1 (F) Wing called an alert at 1043 hours.
30 Jan 58
Normal flying programme.
31 Jan 58
4 (F) Wing holding 5 and 10 minutes while 2 (F) Wing doing double practice scrambles.
1 Feb 58
No flying due to weather.
2 Feb 58
Weather still poor, no flying.
3 Feb 58
Madcap Alpha on Scan Plan. No night flying due to weather. Mr. Stanton replaced Mr. Edwards as GE Representative.
4 Feb 58
At 1547Z Yellowjack on Status 3, no radar, at 1652Z all Air Division Sabre aircraft grounded except for hot Zulu scrambles.
5 Feb 58
Restrictions on F-86 Sabre aircraft lifted. Night flying cancelled.
6 Feb 58
Valencia #3 bailed out a few miles northeast of Chaumont. Pilot OK. No Air Division aircraft took part in Argus due to weather. Again, no night flying due to weather.
7 Feb 58
#2 Height Finder off the air until further notice due to bad bearing knock. Rhubarb Alpha on diversion from Sardinia went through the barrier at Hahn.
8 Feb 58
Type 80 radar partially serviceable with a lot of noise.
9 Feb 58
Type 80 radar now dismantled to the point where considerable time would be required to put it back into service. Type 80 serviceable at 2000 hours awaiting check.
10 Feb 58
Strongbox Zulu Sierra inadvertently intercepted British Overseas Airway Corporations Comet FC2002 at 37,500 feet, who was believed to be Lone Ranger track. Checkerboard 61 bailed out north of Marville, pilot OK.
11 Feb 58
Normal day flying. Catfish Green had flame out but re-lighted OK and returned to base.
12 Feb 58
Soviet TU-104 on flight from Prague to Orly escorted by 4 Sabre aircraft and two CF-100 aircraft. Extreme caution used.
13 Feb 58
Type 80 expected back at 1400-2000 local, with no guarantee of being completely serviceable, serviceable and back on standby at 2114Z.
14 Feb 58
CO orders rotation of Type 80 radar, MPS-11 unserviceable again, RPM of T80 Radar set at 5. Two sections of Sabre aircraft diverted on live towards track 239. After long tail chase the track was identified as 2 USAF F-84s.
15 Feb 58
Normal flying programme.
16 Feb 58
Quiet day.
17 Feb 58
T80 radar to be used only on Scan Plan. MPS-11 on weekly maintenance. CO may authorize use of T80 for scheduled exercises and for live or emergency scrambles.
18 Feb 58
Quiet day.
19 Feb 58
MPS-11 on monthly maintenance.
20 Feb 58
3 (F) Wing runway closed to jet operations. Hot or live scrambles only. SOS passed from 3 Wing, Hornet Golf section of two, low on fuel, one aircraft landed at 2 (F) Wing, the other ½ mile short of runway. Pilot OK.
21 Feb 58
No night flying from any Wings. Automatic features of the height finders not available for 10 hours, manual control available.
22 Feb 58
Quiet day.
23 Feb 58
Another quiet day.
24 Feb 58
T80 radar unserviceable. Scan Plan cancelled, weather below limits.
25 Feb 58
T80 radar serviceable.
26 Feb 58
Normal day
27 Feb 58
2 and 4 (F) Wings available for hot and live scrambles only. Pilot bailed out of Sabre on approach to 1 (F) Wing.
28 Feb 58
Normal flying.
1 Mar 58
The IFF on the T80 radar was unserviceable for several hours.
2 Mar 58
Horseman Zulu Quebec 4 had a compressor stall, but was able to re-light, and landed at Grostenquin.
3 Mar 58
"Synthex Quest" was the only special operation of the day. 61 Squadron detachment opened at the French Air Force Radar Station at Drachenbronn under the command of F/L Paige. This detachment to take over some of the control work while repairs are being made on T80. Also for personnel to familiarize themselves with French equipment.
4 Mar 58
Normal day flying.
5 Mar 58
Quiet day.
6 Mar 58
Argus exercise in operation. IFF serviceable but only limited range.
7 Mar 58
T80 radar turned on for operation "Jump Moat". 15 CF-100s from Keflavik to Beauvachain.
8 Mar 58
1 and 3 (F) Wings on Zulu report hot and live scrambles only as runways covered with ice and snow.
9 Mar 58
3 (F) Wing runways still covered with snow.
10 Mar 58
F/L Czyz departed on compassionate posting to Moose Jaw. T80 radar had to be rotated at varying speeds due to vibration.
11 Mar 58
1 and 3 (F) Wing Zulus again holding hot or live scrambles only as runways again bad. The T80 radar released to "Decca" company for maintenance. Tuesday Scrimmage delayed until 1200Z further delayed till 1400Z. 38 aircraft on night cross countries. They were advised that flight following was impossible but that assistance on request would be supplied.
12 Mar 58
Operation "Scan Plan" cancelled as there were no height finders.
13 Mar 58
Camera recorder was operated to take pictures of track 545 the Russian TU-104.
14 Mar 58
CF-100 crashed 10 miles east of Marville. Navigator bailed out but no survivors. 2 (F) Wing night cross countries cancelled.
15 Mar 58
Normal day activities.
16 Mar 58
Very quiet day.
17 Mar 58
419 squadron requested no practice scrambles as they are holding 423 squadron Zulu practices.
18 Mar 58
Tuesday Scrimmage took place. Scan Plan delayed as #1 and #2 height finders are unserviceable.
19 Mar 58
Several sections were successfully handed over to French and American GCIs for intercepts.
20 Mar 58
Soft Spot message passed to 2 (F) Wing Operations. Report from Joplin that aircraft is penetrating ADIZ. YJ had several aircraft on cross countries and broadcasted for all to turn west. The following officers reported in from 1, 2, and 3 (F) Wings for training as controllers and exercise "Spring Season" commenced. F/O Cater, F/O Hansen, F/O Hull, and F/O Urquhart from 1 Wing. F/L Bertrand, F/L Hennell, F/L Middleton and F/O Sullivan from 2 Wing. F/L Jewitt from 3 Wing.
21 Mar 58
Stopgap Alpha two aircraft long overdue landed at Landstuhl.
22 Mar 58
Quiet day.
23 Mar 58
Strongbox Zulu Romeo diverted live under Barbara control for interception of track #505. Track identified as a Piper Cub.
24 Mar 58
Form B passed for #20 Squadron RAF detachment at 3 Wing to Alhorn Operations. Student Zulu Oscar bailed out 2 miles northeast of Rhine Main pilot OK. Official opening of 6 TACC callsign "Salesman".
25 Mar 58
2 Wing runway unserviceable to everything except emergencies. Scan plan delayed until PM.
26 Mar 58
Normal flying with several sections handed over to RAF GCIs.
27 Mar 58
Camera set up to take pictures of TU-104 flight camera unserviceable and only one picture taken. Several sections successfully handed over to French and American GCIs for control.
28 Mar 58
YJ personnel manning several positions in TACC during the day and evening over the weekend.
29 Mar 58
MPS-11 unserviceable till further notice. YJ will use IFF only to search for emergencies. A vehicle sent to Nancy to pick up spares for the technicians to work on the MPS-11.
30 Mar 58
MPS-11 trouble is still in the turntable.
31 Mar 58
"Tuesday Scrimmage" was cancelled.
1 Apr 58
Salesman advises that French Flight Services will go on strike at 2301 local. Three successful hand-offs to RAF completed. Heavy flying schedule for practice intercepts. Following controllers transferred to 6 TACC approximately this time: S/L Wilson, S/L Wallis, F/L Vine, F/L Hawke, F/L Ker and F/O deBagheera.
2 Apr 58
Fairly heavy flying schedule with detachment at Drachenbronn taking quite a few of the sections for control.
4 Apr 58
Live diversion of one section F-86s on track coming out of ADIZ. Track turned prior to intercept and no identification was made. Continued heavy flying.
6 Apr 58
Attempt made to photograph TU-104 overflight but power unit on camera was unserviceable and attempt failed.
7 Apr 58
F/P Paige returned from Drachenbronn and detachment completely closed down. T80 being used but not turned back to Operations as yet.
8 Apr 58
Normal flying with some hand-offs to USAF control.
9 Apr 59
440 squadron aircraft landed at Marville after losing canopy near there.
10 Apr 58
T80 serviceable and officially handed back to us this date. Monthly exercise Argus flow today. Heavy night flying scheduled with four hand-offs completed. First GCI/GCA with RCAF Comet completed at Marville this date.
11 Apr 58
USAF F-100 aircraft with generator failure declared emergency and came under our control for GCI/GCA into Toul. GCI/GCA successful and aircraft landed at Toul Air Force Base without further trouble. Two sections of RAF Hunters deployed at Soellingen flying with F-86 sections on practice intercepts. Jacket 34 from 4 Wing broke away from section when on GCA and bailed out safely.
12 Apr 58
An overflight of USAF F-86D aircraft from Manston, England to Phalsbourg given surveillance and handed over to Moselle for letdowns. Total of 14 flights of two aircraft each.
14 Apr 58
Considerable day and night flying with successful hand-offs to RAF and USAF control.
15 Apr 58
2 CF-100s on practice intercepts diverted on high flying targets which had flown in and out of Austria. Intercept made but unable to identify too dark. Further section of 2 CF-100s scrambled and intercept made. Track identified as an American B-57 aircraft.
16 Apr 58
Normal flying.
17 Apr 58
A change made in surveillance track designation. All tracks originated by this unit to be pre-signed by the letter Y (Yankee). A section of 4 F-86s scrambled live on a track coming from the ADIZ identified as FAF Mysteres.
18 Apr 58
This unit honoured by a visit of the MND, AOC and CStaffO. The CO conducted the tour of the Ops Room. T80 again reverted to standby role until turntable difficulties repaired.
19 Apr 58
Repairs completed on T80 and it is now back in service.
20 Apr 58
Section of 4 F-86s scrambled live on track in ADIZ. Track turned north and was intercepted by RAF. Identified as RAF Hunter. Heavy flying continues and continued success with hand-offs to USAF and RAF GCIs.
21 Apr 58
Continued heavy flying.
22 Apr 58
Normal flying as well as four sections on Exercise "Spring Season". Unit Status 3 for a short period. T80 unserviceable because of oil flow on drive motor. MPS-11 also off and parts needed.
23 Apr 58
Tests being made on Interference Eliminator for IFF. Eliminator 100% effective.
24 Apr 58
Good weather continues with extensive flying mainly at night. One TY-104 overflight monitored by this unit. Moselle control radar poor and this unit asked to give assistance if required. F/L Paige departed on transfer to RCAF Station Foymount in Canada.
25 Apr 58
Another TU-104 overflight this date. Difficulty still being experienced with camera equipment in photographing these overflights. Exercise "Spring Season" completed.
26 Apr 58
TU-104 overflight picked up and photographed.
28 Apr 58
A target-tow aircraft from 2 Wing had altimeter and airspeed indicator failure. Aircraft was intercepted by another aircraft and led in for a safe landing.
29 Apr 58
Two live diversions of Sabre sections on tracks coming out of ADIZ. First identified as T-33 but numbers could not be obtained and aircraft went into cloud at 3,500 feet. Second identified prior to intercept by Passport as one RAF Hunter.
30 Apr 58
Normal flying with good results on hand-offs to USAF control, of two day fighter sections. One section of F-86s diverted to live scramble of track heading south from ADIZ identified and USAF V-57. All microwave lines to 2 Wing unserviceable for 3 hours to change truck which houses this equipment.
1 May 58
Six hours maintenance on T-80. More trouble with turning motor as well as magnetron change. One live diversion of a section of F-86s on a track coming out of ADIZ identified as USAF T-33. TU-104 overflight from Prague to Brussels photographed. This route is a daily occurrence now that the Brussels fair has opened.
2 May 58
A further four hours emergency maintenance on T-80; more trouble with turning gear. Little flying expected for day so six controllers were released to visit Moselle control for a familiarization tour.
3 May 58
Two sections of F-86s on practice scramble in the early morning diverted to live scramble on track coming out of ADIZ. Track identified as USAF T-33.
5 May 58
One section F-86s scrambled live but reverted practice prior to intercept. F/L Davis reported in from Canada today as replacement for F/L Paige.
6 May 58
UHF channels installed for use in controlling Belgian F-84s to be deployed at 2 Wing for May Argus exercise.
8 May 58
Good weather and flying continues with hand-offs to RAF. More successful hand-offs being completed with USAF control stations.
9 May 58
Monthly exercise Argus to test target Surveillance and intercept action on as scheduled today. Heavy flying activity with both F-86s and CF-100s acting as targets and interceptors. Poor results on first scramble of Belgian F-84s from 2 Wing because of UHF trouble, but second scramble worked much better. Combined with Argus, an overflight of CF-100s from Canada "Operation Jump Moat" arrived at 4 Wing and were provided surveillance for the last part of their journey. These CF-100s are the last ones of those purchased by the Belgian government from Canada.
10 May 58
Track detected in ADIZ heading toward Iron Curtain. This track followed and plotted to twenty miles inside Curtain before turning. Track intercepted and identified as USAF T-33. Scope camera being transferred to technicians scope in back room and no scope pictures to be taken over weekend.
12 May 58
With longer and good weather considerable flying is being done by all Wings. Three exercises are in progress and being flown daily.
(i) |
"Shakey Doo". Consists of three CF-100 aircraft flying as targets on a pre-determined tow-line being intercepted by a section of 3 CF-100s as fighters. Purpose to give CF-100 crews more practice in Harlequin tactics. |
(ii) |
"Track Toil". A CF-100 acting as heavy bomber being escorted by three sections of F-86s. Intercepts are made using 2 sections of F-86s under Broadcast Control. |
(iii) |
"Sabre Tussle". A Sabre exercise where a section will fly in a pre-determined area for practice in spotting on other aircraft and getting in position to make a successful attack, no control required. |
15 May 58 F/C Desautels reported in from Canada, first of summer employment for this unit. 16 May 58 One section of F-86s to intercept track coming out of ADIZ. Track identified as 2 USAF F-100s. This unit asked to standby and monitor letdown of section of USAF F-101 aircraft arriving from United States, destination Phalsbourg. Moselle is handling letdown but in case of trouble, communication or radar wise, at Moselle, this unit would take over letdown. One F-101 aircraft blew up on approach to Phalsbourg but pilot bailed out safely. This unit asked to assist in getting helicopters into the area of the crash. 17 May 58 Normal flying. 18 May 58 Normal flying. 19 May 58 Normal flying. 20 May 58 General alert called at 1610Z beginning of exercise "Sans Sweat". 22 May 58 Operation "Sans Sweat" during the night. 23 May 58 Operation "Sans Sweat" completed. 24 May 58 Noticeable slackening in flying operations since "Sans Sweat". Most of the squadrons have more than enough flying for the month. F/Os OReilly and Meloche struck off strength on return to Canada for release. 26 May 58 F/C Haines reported in from Canada for summer employment. 27 May 58 All personnel mustered at 0830 hours local and told that all script to be turned in at Accounts in exchange for American currency. Complete change to be made before noon. 30 May 58 Normal flying for last three days mostly Shakey-Doo. F/C Miller reported in from Canada for summer employment. F/O Mosgrove regular controller reported in from Canada. 31 May 58 F/O Nixon struck off strength this unit on transfer to Canada.
CO |
W/C Ockenden |
COpsO |
S/L Paul |
Adjutant |
F/O Ralph |
Tech O |
F/L Davis |
Rad O |
F/L Tahirali |
Ops O |
S/L Wallis replaced by F/L Fry 1 Apr |
Training Officers |
F/L Fry replaced by F/O Carroll 1 Apr |
Crew Controllers |
F/L Thorpe |
F/L Spiller |
|
F/L Laird |
|
Controllers Total - 28 |
Signed By:
(GF Ockenden) W/C
Commanding Officer
61 AC&W Squadron
RCAF