Metz, France
6 Tactical Aircraft Control Centre (TACC)

Secret

This first historical record of 6 TACC will deal, not only with the first operational period, from opening date 24 Mar 58, to 31 May 58, but also with the circumstances attending the formation of the unit.

The requirement for a Canadian TACC and Radar Control and Reporting Centers in Europe was realized as early as 1952, when it became evident that the radars within 4 ATAF were either inadequate in quality or quantity to provide the necessary control services.

In order to provide No. 1 Air Division with control of its own day fighter squadrons it was planned to establish one Tactical Air Control Centre and three subordinate Radar Control and Reporting Centres.

This plan was changed, however, when Air Force Headquarters purchased one Type 80 long range radar instead of the three short range mobile radars.

The need to retain the integrity of our forces and to insure the use of the full fighting potential of the Air Division in controlled operations, led the AOC, at the beginning of 1957, to order a staff study on the Operational chain of command within 1 Air Division.

The findings and recommendations of this staff study are attached as Appendix "A".

As a result of the study, a letter was sent by the AOC 1 Air Division, A/V/M HB Godwin, to the CAS requesting approval for the formation of a TACC. This letter is attached as Appendix "B".

In answer came signal, Secret COP77 26 Aug 57. Quote "Your letter S2-2-1 AOC dated 19 Jun 57. Agreement in principle confirmed, establishment amendments and detailed reorganization proposals to provide personnel are awaited" Unquote.

The above requested information has already been seen under intense study and therefore on 30 Aug 57 letter S895-100-56-1 attached as Appendix "C" was sent to AFHQ.

This letter contained the complete organization order for 6 TACC, giving the new chain of command, the realignment of personnel and responsibilities.

The location of the TACC had been selected with regards to its needs and the facilities available.

The plan was to build an extension to the roofs of both Fillod Huts used by 61 AC&W Squadron, and convert the area in between to a Control-Center, using the live display of 61 AC&W Squadron, by cutting out a section of the Ops building wall and replacing it with a plate glass window. Appendix "D" shows the placement.

Drawing No. 603-RA-46 Appendix "E" was forwarded to Fillod CO, the cost estimated at $2,500.00, and the building finally ordered by DDP, with the order being received by Fillod on 26 Nov 57.

Delivery of the mettalis sections was to be during the first week of Jan 58.

On 8 Nov 57 Signal Org 268 was received by 1 Air Division HQ, giving approval to introduce 6 TACC within existing rank structure and establishment ceiling of this Air Division.

Further to the above, Signal OE 158 was received on 22 Nov, setting the formation date of 6 TACC to 1 Jan 58, and Organization Order 4.11 dated 29 Nov was issued by the CAS, ending, in a way, all the paper work involved in the creation of a new unit. See Appendix "F".

To go back to the physical part of TACC, Fillod managed to come quite close to its promises , and delivered the prefab section the 18 Jan against the tentative 1^st week of Jan 58.

Erection of these sections was started on 20 Jan by Fillod labour; the rest of the work such as masonry, carpentry, and painting was to be done by CE personnel. Total cost of the project was estimated at $9,500.00.

Work progressed fairly smoothly, but as usual, when dealing with more than one general contractor, the tempo was not so fast as wished by the people responsible, and although the new premises were put to use as early as 24 Mar 58, the last work sheet filled by CE was dated 19 May 58.

On 18 Mar 58 1 Air Division HQ issued signal A0626 ordering the activation of 6 TACC on a limited operation basis for the 1 Apr, see Appendix "G".

It was decided for shakedown purposes, to start a skeleton crew as early as the 24 Mar, using personnel due to be transferred from 61 AC&W Squadron to 6 TACC. This last, terminates the introduction and leads us into the narrative part of this unit history.

24 Mar 58

0741Z – F/L Vine signing on, for the first time, in the log book of 6 TACC, call sign "Salesman". Acting in a dual capacity as Duty Controller for 6 TACC and 61 AC&W Squadron, operations are conducted from the dais at 61 AC&W Squadron. This unusual procedure is dictated for two reasons: Firstly: Lack of personnel. Secondly: Communications. Part of the lines are renamed at the Wings, as "Salesman", whilst not being as yet transferred to the new building.

1600Z – F/O de Bagheera signing on, as Duty Controller for 6 TACC and 61 AC&W but this time operating from the 6 TACC Ops Room with Cpl. L McAllister as Ops B and LAW P Gray as status clerk. The most arduous part of the work consisting of running between 6 TACC and 61 AC&W. A DOpsO is supplied at present by 1 Air Division HQ or by the senior personnel of 61 AC&W. This is a temporary measure, to last only until the Senior Officers transferred to 6 TACC are able to complete their present duties, and get acquainted with their new ones.

2300Z – F/L D Hawke signing on as DC for the night. At this time TACC is only a coordinating agency between 61 AC&W and the four wings or between 61 AC&W and other ACCs. Appendix "H" photo of F/L Hawke and crew. The biggest part of the work being the scheduling of night flying, and the occasional handling of an emergency. Personnel on night shift are busy, with new forms and formats to handle the operational training of the squadrons. Meanwhile the processes of completing our shelter and putting the final touches is carried on.

S/L T Wilson and S/L T Wallis transferred from 61 AC&W are starting shift, and our third, S/K McGee, transferred from 1 Air Div HQ is sick at 2 (F) Wing.

W/C CC Underhill is reporting in this day to take over as CO of this unit. Up to this time W/C GF Ockenden, who was responsible for a great part of the planning, has acted as ex officio CO.

First Argus exercise run from Salesman with S/L RT Paul on loan from 61 AC&W running the operation.

Reporting in are F/L A Milne from 1 (F) Wing, F/L J McElroy from 2 (F) Wing and F/L M Nordman from 2 (F) Wing. These officers are immediately put to good use. They are sent to 1 Air Division HQ to re-write operational orders along more suitable lines.

F/L Rumble from 1 Air Div HQ reporting in as Intelligence Officer.

Visit of MND and party with briefing by the unit’s CO.

F/L E Chenier former EA to the AOC, reports in as 6 TACC OpsO.

At this time a letter is issued by the AOC outlining changes in the Operational Control of 1 Air Division and specifying the duties and responsibilities of 6 TACC, see Appendix "I".

F/L G Ker transferred in from 61 AC&W.

Reporting in of W/C EJ McLeod, formerly COpsO 4 (F) Wing, W/C AF Banville, COpsO 2 (F) Wing, W/C Tew, OC 427 Squadron.

6 TACCs personnel now at full strength and are covering the full 24 hours with a suitable crew.

Exercise Argus morning edition - 12 raider sorties and 24 intercept sorties. Argus afternoon edition – 12 raider sorties and 21 intercepts. Routine work – 2 unknowns out of the buffer zone and 2 out of the ADIZ. Live scrambles and subsequent identification of all unknowns.

W/C Underhill and F/O de Bagheera attending a conference at the Chateau with representatives of the Belgian Air Force to determine the possibility of 61 AC&W giving GCI control to the BAF CF-100’s. This conference was interrupted to visit TACC and 61 AC&W to witness a rehearsal of jamming operations for the coming "Full Play" exercise.

All exercises, for operational training 2/1 to 2/8, are now organized by 6 TACC, and squadrons warned by Frag Orders originating from this unit.

A general briefing of all squadron OCs took place this morning. This briefing covered all phases of TACCs future operations and also took in the problems facing the AWX squadrons as opposed to the IDFs.

Visit of squadron OCs to TACC and explanation of communications and display facilities. Appendix "J" is a photograph showing the OCs at the completion of the conference, in front of the Chateau.

CE has completed its work in our premises; Appendix "K" shows TACC as it looks today.

At 1612Z this unit receives orders to execute Measure 24700 in preparation of Exercise Sans Sweat.

At 0409Z completion of the first slice of San Sweat which is to last for three consecutive nights. The summary of the sorties reads as follows:

22 May 58

Summary of Sans Sweat as of 0511Z:

During daylight hours exercise Synthex Guest is also taking place and the following missions are accomplished by the IDF squadrons:

23 May 58

Summary of Sans Sweat as of 2054Z:

This last summary completes exercise Sans Sweat and squadrons are released as the aircraft lands.

All personnel present at 0830 local time for the change in currency from script to American dollars.

6 TACC is now dealing with 4 ATAF ADOC, call sign "Lafayette", on all Air Defense problems in preparation for exercise "Full Play".

Limited operations.

Exercise "Round Robin" implemented by Frag Order for the month of June.

End of Volume I

(CC Underhill) W/C
Sector Commander