Metz, France

6 Dec 59

British Royal Flight with HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on a flight from IK to 4 (F) Wing Baden Soellingen, overshot two GCA approaches. Weather at the time was W3K 2/8F. Royal aircraft went onward to its alternate, Stuttgart Germany.

Exercise "Rapid Reflex" effective 0750. This exercise sponsored by 4ATAF is to test the operational effectiveness of communications.

Exercise "Quick Train" effective 0430. This exercise is a SHAPE sponsored exercise and is to test the operational readiness of SACEUR Air Defence Force.

One F-86 crashed on runway at Marville. Pilot slightly injured.

Message received from 4 ATAF to execute "Rapid Reflex". The purpose of exercise outlined earlier.

Crash reported on Soellingen Airfield. One F86 aircraft exploded in mid-air; pilot ejecting unsuccessfully.

Exercise "Rapid Reflex" effective 1500Z.

Air Division Radar (Yellowjack) reported that a USAF T-33 crashed 18 miles south-east of Spangdahlem, Germany. USAF Search and Rescue reported seeing two parachutes on the ground. Airmen safe.

At this time, Exercise "Soft Spot" is in effect for the four wings of the Air Division. Exercise Soft Spot is an Air Division sponsored exercise and is designed to test reaction times and to exercise NBC and fallout defence plans of 1 Air Division units.

Exercise "Rapid Reflex" called at 1610. Executed as per operational order.

Air Division COC being advised by 17^th Air Force that exercise "Winter Shield" will take place between the 2^nd and the 8^th of Feb. The Air Division may be asked to provide fighter aircraft to participate.

Exercise "Rapid Reflex" called at this time and executed as per operation order.

Authorities at Frescaty Airport near Metz have requested Air Division HQ for possible witness to a crash of an F-84F from their base. A Support Unit Air Force Police has witnessed an explosion a few kilometers from the Chateau de Mercy and is on hand for the French investigators.

"SOS" forty miles south-east of Metz, Air Division Zulu sections being airborne at that time, were diverted for possible intercept. The emergency was a French F-86K which had lost its radio. The aircraft was escorted to Colmar (French airport) and landed safely.

Exercise "Rapid Reflex" called at that time, and was executed according to 4ATAF operation order.

Air Division’s IDF Zulu section was scrambled "Live" as back up for a section of USAF fighters scrambled on two unknown in the iron curtain. Identification revealed that the unknown were two West German F-84F aircraft.

Air Division exercise "Silent Spectre" was played this evening, this exercise is an all weather fighters exercise and is to practice and test the all weather capability of Air Division.

One F-84 aircraft of French nationality based at Strasbourg crashed and burned in the Black Forest. This aircraft was seen to circle RCAF 4 (F) Wing twice and was given repeated green lights to land. The aircraft, for some unknown reason, headed 220º from Soellingen and disappeared.

"Sunrise". This code word means the start of an exercise called "Roulette". This exercise is 4ATAF sponsored and is to test the Air Defence capability of Central Europe, in which four different nationalities participate namely the French, German, American and Canadian forces. Emancipation of this exercise is forthcoming in future. Information received via Marseille and Paris ATC, that a Canadian F-86 en route to Decimomannu had crashed sometime after taking off from Marseille. Further information received later confirmed the crash, but that the pilot had "bailed out" and was waiting rescue by French helicopter. A French Gendarme called Air Division COC and informed that an F-86 Drop Tank had caused excessive damage to a farm house at Haguenau when the tank went through the roof. A check of our four wings revealed that one F-86 from 4 (F) Wing in the area at time stated and that the pilot had pulled negative "G" and one of the tanks left the aircraft.

2 ATAF Radar "Udem" informed Yellowjack that an "SOS" heading southbound was a USAF F-100 low on fuel. The pilot of the F-100 aircraft bailed out 30 miles north of Spangdahlem, Germany.

Canadian and American Intelligence informed on jamming of 4 (F) Wing radio beacon.

"Salesman" has received a series of Notams from Paris ATC spelling out areas out of bounds to all aircraft for certain dates to come; Mr. K. is coming to France and will land two kilometres from Air Division HQ. Mr. K. can boast that he will curtail Air Division’s Flying activities when visiting this region of France.

From the "Special Strike" network exercise "Quick Train" has been called. "Quick Train" is the nickname for an exercise sponsored by SHAPE twice yearly. It is to test the reaction time of allied commands forces. This exercise assumes an enemy capability to launching a large scale attack.

Launching of Exercise "Co-Op". The aims of this exercise are to test the Air defence forces of Central Europe as one coordinated force, to develop tactical flexibility and to develop and improve inter-zoned co-ordination.

"SOS" in Hotel Echo 3030, MC-A-4 and CR-C-4 had a mid-air collision. USAF Search and Rescue alerted and scrambled later. Helicopter pilot spotted two parachutes on ground. Both pilots picked up uninjured.

"Yellowjack" reports that HC-K one, leader of two CF-100 aircraft formation crashed in the Luxembourg airport area. The airport tower controller reports the sighting of two parachutes. USAF helicopter scrambled and later picked up the pilot and navigator.

Message received from 4ATAF to execute exercise "Super Chief". This exercise is 4ATAF sponsored and is to test communications down to wing operational level.

Salesman instructed to executive exercise "Senior Sentinel". This exercise is sponsored by RCAF Air Division and is to exercise all units at all levels in the implementation of the Air Division Air Defence Plan.

Logroll "SOC" requesting a section of "Zulu" aircraft to intercept an unknown coming behind the Iron Curtain. After completion of the intercept, the unknown was identified as a four-engine turbo-prop driven aircraft from the Czechoslovakian Airliner.

Mid-air collision of two RCAF F-86, both pilots bailed out, one of them taken to Landstuhl Hospital suffering from small head injuries. The other pilot, uninjured, was driven to 3 (F) Wing.

Salesman instructed to execute exercise "Yeoman". This exercise is sponsored by the RAF Fighter Command and is to test the Air Defence Force of the United Kingdom. Air Division’s role is to provide targets in mass raid formation and to penetrate British radar over the North Sea.

Salesman instructed to execute exercise "Super Chief". Information concerning this exercise was related earlier.

LIST OF 1 AIR DIVISION OPERATIONS ORDERS
USED BY COMBAT OPERATIONS CENTRE