Historical Record
1 Jun 59 to 30 Nov 59
3 Jun 59
Yellowjack gave surveillance to three sections of F-100s from Cahateauroux to Hahn, this was the last leg of their flight from the States to Europe.
4 Jun 59
Monthly Argus exercise.
21 Jun 59
Surveillance given to a section of 12 F-100s and one section of 4 F-100s from Bordeaux to Hahn.
30 Jun 59
Colonel Hartless, Lt. Colonel Wievell, and Lt. Weil of the USAF from 4 ATAF HQ visited the unit for a familiarization tour of the Type 80.
9 Jul 59
Monthly Argus exercise.
11 Jul 59
Surveillance given to 2 F-86 aircraft of the West German Air Force from Lyon to Oldenburg.
14 Jul 59
Strongbox Sierra scrambled live on Track 37L. This track was identified as 2 F-84 aircraft of the West German Air Force before Yellowjack could carry out the interception.
20 Jul 59
W/C DF Ockenden on transfer to Staff College Toronto handed over the squadron to S/L RT Paul.
24 Jul 59
AF 8403 called Logroll on Channel 10 but received no answer. Yellowjack made contact with this aircraft and gave surveillance while a cloud seeding exercise was carried out in the Weisbaden area.
5 Aug 59
S/L RT Paul handed over the squadron to W/C CS Yarnell, the new CO of the unit.
6 Aug 59
Monthly Argus exercise. Sandal Romeo scrambled live on Track 41M which Yellowjack was not painting. As USAF GCI units could not accept this section, they reverted back to practice scramble.
7 Aug 59
Yellowjack on annual maintenance.
17 Aug 59
Hopscotch 98, a T-33 out of 1 (F) Wing crashed near Verdun killing the airman in the rear cockpit. Yellowjack had given a parrot check to this aircraft earlier on in the flight.
18 Aug 59
Single strobe jamming occurred twice during the evening. This was an RAF exercise against the UK.
20 Aug 59
All Yellowjack UHF receivers were unserviceable for a period. An exercise was carried out, during this time, with USAF aircraft and acknowledgement of transmissions was done by IFF. Type 80 on 6 RPM for a one month test. When no control is required the 6 RPM will be reduced to 4. Jamming of a single strobe moving anti-clockwise was observed. Another RAF exercise.
21 Aug 59
Type 80 on 4 RPM due to one electrical turning motor being unserviceable.
25 Aug 59
Single strobe jamming from the north. Two aircraft on Jamming exercise against the UK.
27 Aug 59
G/C Hull, VCAS/C Plans visited the unit.
28 Aug 59
AVM Annis, AOC AMC visited the unit.
3 Sep 59
Electronic jamming was picked up on all scopes. An RAF exercise not involving Yellowjack.
5 Sep 59
Type 80 unserviceable. The AFC will not lock on.
7 Sep 59
Height Finder #1 on annual maintenance.
10 Sep 59
Monthly Argus exercise.
11 Sep 59
Checkerboard Lima and Horseman Quebec scrambled live on track 43L. Track identified as a Dutch F-86K.
14 Sep 59
Height Finder #2 on annual maintenance. Exercise "Side Step" started this exercise will not involve Yellowjack except for one plotting exercise.
16 Sep 59
Operation "Silent Spectre" a CF-100 night exercise carried out.
19 Sep 59
Yellowjack did plotting exercise on the Side Step exercise.
24 Sep 59
S/L RT Paul COpsO transferred from the Air/Obs branch to AS/FtrC branch.
8 Oct 59
Monthly Argus exercise.
12 Oct 59
Aircraft squawking emergency went into the East Zone of Germany last position given by Logroll was Prague. MPS-11 on annual maintenance.
13 Oct 59
Horseman Papa on two minutes standby for possible live scramble on track 16L. Identified by Logroll as two German F-84s before scramble ordered.
14 Oct 59
Sandal Mike 3 squawked emergency after mid air collision with his #4. Sandal Mike #3 landed safely at 2 (F) Wing. #4 bailed out successfully.
16 Oct 59
Jamming encountered three times during the day. All were RAF exercises.
18 Oct 59
Two sections under Yellowjack control reported later that they had encountered voice jamming which one pilot recognized as Russian.
20 Oct 59
Captain Beaver USAF from Weisbaden requested surveillance and GCI/GCA letdown into 2 (F) Wing for General Smith in a T-33.
21 Oct 59
Madcap Red 4 called Yellowjack for assistance as he was short of fuel and unsure of his position. Contact was made and he was successfully directed to 1 (F) Wing.
22 Oct 59
A French T-33 who was lost called Yellowjack on 121.5 mcs. Yellowjack gave assistance till they were able to hand the aircraft over to another GCI unit for recovery at the French base of Colmar.
23 Oct 59
Message received through 4 ATAF from Russian Controller in Berlin: "There have been too many border violations, and in future, violators will be shot at".
24 Oct 59
Yardarm Tango scrambled live on track 62NL. Track identified as a Canadian T-33 from Renfrew Scotland to 4 (F) Wing. This aircraft had penetrated the border between East and West Germany owing to an unserviceable compass.
28 Oct 59
Horseman Quebec scrambled live on SOS. Before intercept could be completed the SOS was identified by Logroll as a USAF F-100 under Spangdahlem control. Exercise Silent Spectre completed.
31 Oct 59
Spanish aircraft callsign "Baby Fly" called Yellowjack on 293 mcs requesting surveillance to Furstenfeldbruck. Yellowjack found them inside the Swiss border and handed them over to Racecard.
6 Nov 59
Checkerboard Golf on a Sky Saga mission intercepted a BOAC Comet.
8 Nov 59
LAC Lumb, Radar Tech, killed in crash of light aircraft at Dancourt, France.
11 Nov 59
Yellowjack gave surveillance to 3 flights of USAF aircraft (from the USA) into Laon and Chaumont.
16 Nov 59
Magnetron change completed on the Type 80.
18 Nov 59
Exercise Silent Spectre completed. Final authority from AFHQ cancels our Mobility Requirement.
26 Nov 59
Student November scrambled live on track 17L. Identified by Logroll before intercept as 2 French F-84s.
27 Nov 59
Strongbox Sierra scrambled live on 51LL and handed over to Logroll identified as 2 USAF F-100s. Yellowjack unable to pick up SOS as IFF on both Type 80 and MPS-11 unserviceable.
30 November 59
List of Call Signs and Abbreviations Appendix X
Appendix X
Call Signs
The following is a list of call signs French, USAFE, and Canadian that have direct relations with 61 AC&W Squadron during day to day operations, and as a clarification of any call signs mentioned in this or previous volumes of Historical Reports from this unit.
Barber |
USAF |
CRP Schondfelt, Germany |
Boxcar |
French |
CRC Achern, France |
Cartoon |
RCAF |
4 (F) Wing, normal flying callsign |
Cartridge |
RCAF |
439 (F) Squadron, Marville |
Cashbox |
RCAF |
2 (F) Wing, normal flying callsign |
Catfish |
RCAF |
1 (F) Wing, normal flying callsign |
Checkerboard |
RCAF |
441 (F) Squadron, Marville |
Chopstick |
RCAF |
419 AWF Squadron, Marville |
Chowline |
French |
CRC Friedrichshafen, Germany |
Dora |
USAF |
CRC Giebalstadt, Germany |
Epernier |
French |
CRC Servance, France |
Handcuff |
RCAF |
423 AWF Squadron Grostenquin |
Hornet |
RCAF |
434 (F) Squadron, Zweibrucken |
Horseman |
RCAF |
2 (F) Wing Zulu Aircraft |
Horseshoe |
RCAF |
445 AWF Squadron, Marville |
Jacket |
RCAF |
422 (F) Squadron, Soellingen |
Jailer |
RCAF |
444 (F) Squadron. Soellingen |
Logroll |
USAF |
CRC Langerkoft, Germany |
Madcap |
RCAF |
421 (F) Squadron, Grostenquin |
Menthol |
French |
CRC Drachenbronn, France |
Passport |
USAF |
ACC Kinsback, Germany (changed in May to Mincepie) |
Racecard |
USAF |
CRC Freising, Germany |
Rampart |
French |
ACC Achern, France |
Rhubarb |
RCAF |
440 (F) Squadron, Zweibrucken |
Sandal |
RCAF |
430 (F) Squadron, Grostenquin |
Sirop |
French |
CRC Vittel, France |
Stonewall |
RCAF |
3 (F) Wing, normal flying |
Stopgap |
RCAF |
427 (F) Squadron, Zweibrucken |
Strongbox |
RCAF |
3 (F) Wing, Zulu Callsign |
Student |
RCAF |
1 (F) Wing, Zulu Callsign |
Yardarm |
RCAF |
4 (F) Wing, Zulu Callsign |
Glossary of Abbreviations
Squadron Historical Returns
61 AC&W Squadron Vols. 1, 2, 3 and 4
AAFCE |
Allied Air Forces, Central Europe |
A/C |
Aircraft |
ACC |
Aircraft Control Center |
AC&W |
Aircraft Control and Warning |
ADHQ |
Air Defence Headquarters |
ADIZ |
Air Defence Identification Zone |
Adjt |
Adjutant |
AF |
Air Force |
AFB |
Air Force Base (USAF) |
AFP |
Air Force Police |
AI |
Airborne Intercept applies to radar operated by Fire Control system in aircraft. |
Aircent |
Allied Air Forces Central Europe |
Air Div |
Air Division |
Alt |
Altitude |
AMB |
Air Materiel Base |
AMTS |
Air Member Technical Services |
Angels |
Height in thousands of feet |
AOC |
Air Officer Commanding |
APU |
Auxiliary Power Unit |
ARS |
Air Rescue Service |
AS/FtrC |
Air Services Fighter Controller |
ATAF |
Allied Tactical Air Force |
AVM |
Air Vice Marshal |
AWF |
All Weather Fighters |
B-57 |
USAF Jet Bomber |
BAF |
(Royal) Belgian Air Force |
Bomex |
Canberra overflights |
C-119 |
Cargo Type Aircraft |
CA |
Control Assistant |
Cal |
Caliber |
CAP |
Combat Air Patrol |
Capt |
Captain |
CAS |
Chief of Air Staff |
CATAC |
Corps DAviation Tactique |
CE |
Construction Engineering |
CE |
Controller Error |
Cinc Cent |
Commander in Chief Central Europe |
Cinc North |
Commander in Chief Northern Europe |
Cinc South |
Commander in Chief Southern Europe |
CJS |
Canadian Joint Staff |
CL |
Contact Lost |
CO |
Commanding Officer |
Col |
Colonel |
Com of Med |
Commander Allied Forces Mediterranean |
COpsO |
Chief Operations Officer |
CPX |
Commander Post Exercise |
CRC |
Control and Reporting Center |
CRP |
Control and Reporting Post |
CTechO |
Chief Technical Officer |
CTSO |
Chief Technical Services Officer |
DAT |
Defence Aerienne Territorier (French Air Defence Command) |
D/F |
Direction Finding |
DND |
Department of National Defence |
DOpsO |
Deputy Operations Officer |
DRB |
Defence Research Board |
E and E |
Escape and Evasion |
ECM |
Electronic Countermeasures |
ECTA |
Escadrille Control Tactique Aerienne |
ETRO |
Estimated Time of Return Operational |
F-100 |
Fighter type aircraft |
F-86 |
Fighter type aircraft |
FAF |
French Air Force |
FB Wg |
Fighter Bomber Wing |
FtrCop |
Fighter Control Operator |
FLM |
French Liaison Mission |
FLO |
French Liaison Officer |
FM |
Frequency Modulation |
FSA |
Food Services Attendant |
GCA |
Ground Controlled Approach |
GCI |
Ground Controlled Interception |
GCTA |
Groupe Controle Tactique Aerienne |
GD |
General Duties |
GDef |
Ground Defence |
GE |
General Electric |
GEOREF |
Geographic Reference |
HF |
Height Finder |
HF |
High Frequency |
HP |
Horse Power |
HRI |
Height Range Indicator |
Hrs |
Hours |
IDF |
Intercept Day Fighters |
i.e. |
That is |
IFF |
Identification Friend or Foe |
1L-28 |
Russian Transport Type Aircraft |
IL-14 |
Russian Transport Type Aircraft |
Int Ops |
Intelligence Operations |
JOC |
Joint Operations Center |
K |
Knots |
KVA |
Kilovolt Amps |
LAA |
Light Anti-Aircraft |
MCAC |
Military Common Approach Control |
MCS |
Megacycles |
ME |
Mobile Equipment |
Met |
Meteorology |
Mk |
Mark |
MP |
Member of Parliament |
MPS |
Mobile Search Radar |
MRRT |
Mobile Radar Repair Team |
NACA-U2 |
High Altitude Research Aircraft of National Authority for Civil Aviation USA |
NATO |
North Atlantic Treaty Organization |
NDA |
National Defence Act |
NM |
Nautical Miles |
NW |
North West |
Ops |
Operations |
OTU |
Operational Training Unit |
PBX |
Private Board Exchange (Telephone Switchboard) |
PNF |
Postes National Francaise (French) |
PPI |
Plan Position Indicator |
PPOp |
Power Plant Operator |
PRF |
Pulse Recurrence Frequency |
PSP |
Perforated Steel Planking |
PTT |
Postes, Telegraphe, Telephone (French) |
RadO |
Radar Officer |
RAF |
Royal Air Force |
RCI |
Radar Calibration Indicator |
RP |
Reporting Point |
RPM |
Revolutions Per Minute |
RRE |
Radar Research Establishment UK |
R/T |
Radio Telephony |
RX |
Receiver |
SA-16 |
USAF Rescue Aircraft |
SAC |
Strategic Air Command |
SACEUR |
Supreme Allied Command Europe |
SASO |
Senior Air Staff Officer |
Sen Cont |
Senior Controller |
SHAPE |
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe |
SignO |
Signals Officer |
SL |
Special Leave |
SOInt |
Staff Officer Intelligence |
SOPA |
Staff Officer Personnel Administration |
SOS |
Distress Signal |
SOTel |
Staff Officer Telecommunications |
Sqk 4 |
Radar Presentation of Aircraft in Emergency |
SSC |
Short Service Commission |
SSSUE |
South South East |
SU |
Support Unit |
Sup Tech |
Supply Technician |
SWO |
Station Warrant Officer |
Tac Con Wg |
Tactical Control Wing |
TD |
Temporary Duty |
TDY |
Temporary Duty |
Tech Rep |
Technical Representative |
TelMSupt (g) |
Telecommunications Superintendent (Ground) |
TrainO |
Training Officer |
TU-104 |
Russian Jet Transport Aircraft |
TX |
Transmitter |
UHF |
Ultra High Frequency |
UK |
United Kingdom |
U/S |
Unserviceable |
USAF |
United States Air Force |
UseuCom |
United States European Command |
USN |
United States Navy |
U/T |
Under Training |
VHF |
Very High Frequency |
Wg |
Wing |
Wx |
Weather |
YJ |
Yellowjack (61 Squadron Call Sign) |
Z |
Zulu Greenwich Mean Time |