SECRET
S895-100-56/1 (Acting (AOC)
Metz, Moselle, France
30 Aug 57
The Chief of the Air Staff,
Air Force Headquarters,
Ottawa, Ontario.
Organization and Establishment
1 Air Division TACC
Reference our letter S2-2-1 (AOC) dated 19 Jun 57. Subject Organization – 1 Air Division Operational Control.
Final planning has been completed for the formation of a Tactical Air Control Centre (TACC) within 1 Air Division. It is highly desirable to implement these plans at an early date to provide efficient operational control of our operational squadrons. A draft of the proposed Organization Order is attached as Appendix "A". The effective date for the activation of the TACC has been selected as the 1 Jan 58. The necessary construction, communications changes, establishment amendments and personnel actions are being programmed to meet this date.
A draft of suggested amendments to existing organization orders is included in Appendix "B". These reflect the changes in the operational chain of command that will be effected with the activation of the TACC. An organization chart of the new Air Division operational chain of command is attached as Appendix "C".
The formation of the TACC and subsequent centralization of the operational control of the Air Division forces dictates certain personnel establishment changes and amendments to the staff and their duties at Air Division HQ, the four Fighter Wings, and 61 AC&W Squadron. The summary of these changes is contained in Appendix "D".
The establishment required for the TACC is contained in Appendix "E". The 15 officer positions are balanced by applying those deleted from Air Division HQ, 61 AC&W Squadron and the Fighter Wings. Although the provision of the Group Captain position may not be possible at this time due to rank structure limitations, the substitution of a lesser rank is acceptable in order that the immediate activation of the TACC can be accomplished. However, the upgrading of the Sector Commander position will obviously remain a requirement. In respect to the "other ranks" positions the ultimate requirement is 24 in the TACC and 24 at the Squadrons (2 FtrCops at each of the 12 squadrons) for a total of 48. The deletion of "other ranks" positions as indicated in Appendix "D" will provide 36.
To facilitate the immediate activation of the TACC it is requested that 15 officer and 36 "other ranks" positions be transferred as follows:
The remaining 12 FtrCop positions required by the Fighter Squadrons will be obtained after the impact of 1 Air Division establishments, dated 1 Jul 57, have been studied, and it is determined that the requirement justifies transferring and converting positions from the already hard pressed administrative or technical elements. In this respect, I am prepared to sacrifice some administrative efficiency to provide the operational units with the personnel required under the revised concept.
A detailed list of the functions and a duty analysis of the officer positions of the TACC is attached as Appendix "F" for your information.
Expeditious processing of the TACC Organization Order and Establishment would be appreciated so that the activation date can be met.
Signed:
(PA Gilchrist) A/C
Acting AOC, 1 Air Division, RCAF
Attach.
cc 61 AC&W Squadron
DAMacMurcht/JAR
Originator
AOC File
CR File