VOLUME 2 OF THE HISTORICAL RECORD
OF NUMBER 6 TACTICAL AIR CONTROL CENTER
RCAF, METZ, MOSELLE, FRANCE
DEFINITIONS OF ABBREVIATIONS
Salesman |
Code Word Call-sign of 6 TACC |
Yellowjack (YJ) |
Code Word Call-sign of 61 AC&W Squadron |
Live Scramble |
Armed aircraft flown off to identify an unknown aircraft |
ADIZ |
Air Defence Identification Zone |
ADOC |
Air Defence Operations Centre |
IDF |
Interceptor Day Fighter |
AWX |
All Weather Fighter |
Zulu |
Alert aircraft on readiness |
Jamming |
Interference with radio/radar operation by man-made means |
ACC |
Air Control Centre |
1er CATAC |
First Corps Aerienne Tactique - First Tactical Air Force (French) |
Section |
Two or more aircraft flying in tight formation |
CRC |
Control and Reporting Centre |
COC |
Combat Operations Centre |
CAP |
Continuous Air Patrol |
Track |
Aircraft flight path as it appears on the plotting board in radar operations room. |
IFF |
Electronic equipment for Identification Friend or Foe |
NARRATIVE REPORT
1 Jun 58
1445Z Live scramble of Strongbox Sierra out of Zweibrucken on track Y09 in ADIZ near Fulda. According to American radar, track Y09, their 578 is a C-130. However this does not correlate with YJ and SB "S" is pressing on after this track which has now penetrated the Iron Curtain.
1508Z Track Y09 (578) has turned and is now west of the Curtain, SB "S" has a sighting on an F-86, no nationality; this aircraft is pulling away, however SB "S" is chasing but unable to close for identification.
1550Z After cross-checking, it is found that track Y09 (578) is a 3 (F) Wing aircraft on a low level ADIZ penetration mission, executed at the request of ADOC, for a radar system efficiency check.
2 Jun 58
0917Z ADOC requesting that CF-100 over Brussels be withdrawn as no military aircraft are to be flown over.
2217Z For exercise "Full Play" IDF Zulus cancelled and all IDF squadrons to participate fully in the coming exercise.
3 Jun 58
0555Z Air Raid Warning Yellow from ADOC, this is the beginning of Exercise Full Play, all aircraft will be used on Air Defence Role.
2305Z The totals of Air Defence Missions carried out as required for this day are:
CF-100s 53 sorties
F-86s 28 sorties
4 Jun 58
0807Z As expected Jamming is occurring, YJ is reporting jamming on channel I, music type.
0930Z SOS in FF5055, this is SG "B" with a compressor stall going into Wann.
1000Z SG "B" landed safely
1555z A summary of the days activities reads as follows:
Average time airborne Hr/Min |
||
Strike Missions |
136 |
1.16 |
Fighter Sweeps |
64 |
1.17 |
Armed Recce |
46 |
1.18 |
Aerodrome Defence |
86 |
1.08 |
5 Jun 58
0200Z Weather conditions extremely bad, fog reported at all bases.
0730Z To this time missions accomplished are:
AWX |
IDF |
|
Air Defence |
24 |
20 |
Drumfire |
98 |
28 |
1600Z Total sorties IDF at this time 381.
1753Z From ADOC Exercise Full Play is completed. Appendix "A" is a 6 TACC report covering this exercise.
6 to 12 Jun 58
Operations as usual
13 Jun 58
1904Z We will work with ADOC in Trier as of now, this organization having left Kinsbach Germany and returned to their former HQ.
14 Jun 58
1020Z USAF ACC "Passport" is requesting that our alert aircraft be diverted to Chaumont to investigate an unknown aircraft.
1030Z This diversion cancelled as the French Air Force has obtained an identification, one Russian Airline TU 104 which had circled Chaumont Airbase for several minutes.
15 to 30 Jun 58
Operations as usual.
Appendix "B" is a recapitulation of all sorties accomplished for the month of June. Details on types of sorties by IDF or AWX are given with the name of the exercise.
1 Jul 58
1505Z Rampart, the French ACC or 1er CATAC, reports one of their F-84F overdue by 20 minutes. They are scrambling their Zulu section from Dijon for control by Yellow Jack.
1517Z The French F-84F has landed safely at St Dizier and Yellow Jack is returning the French Zulus to Dijon.
2 to 9 Jul 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
10 Jul 58
0708Z Argus Exercise is on. Refer to 1 Air Div Operations Order 5/58 2/83 04 Jul 58 Unclassified.
0930Z Iron Curtain penetration by 4 F-86s MK6 Cartridge "A" intercepted by the Americans in JF 2515. All information passed to Air Division.
11 Jul 58
1142Z One RCAF T33 intercepted by the Americans in JE3530 for an ADIZ penetration.
12 16 Jul 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
17 Jul 58
Stopgap Alpha Section, 2 F-86s on a low-level cross-country, number 2 crashes in JD 4040.
18 Jul 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
19 Jul 58
1020Z At the request of Dora, a USAF CRC, Canadian fighters will CAP the Franfurt Nurenberg Lansthul line but will not penetrated the ADIZ.
1055Z At Doras request a live scramble is initiated from Soellingen for handover and CAP parallel to tracks of Russian aircraft airborne on the east side of the Iron Curtain. AOC informed of this development.
20 to 23 Jul 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
24 Jul 58
Exercise Synthex Guest to take place today from 0800 hours to 1600 hours. Refer 1 Air Div Operations Order 14/58 10 Jul 58.
25 Jul 58
Attached as Appendix "C" is a full report on the above noted exercise.
26 to 30 Jul 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
31 Jul 58
Appendix "D" missions accomplished by squadrons and by type for the month of July.
1 Aug to 5 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
6 Aug 58
A conference of 6 TACC Sector Commander and IDF Squadron Commanders was held at 1 (F) Wing this day. The minutes of the conference are attached as Appendix "E".
7 Aug 58
Argus Exercise. Bad weather reduced our participation to three aircraft sorties only.
8 to 12 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
13 Aug 58
1459Z Zulu aircraft scrambled live on track 524 headed west from behind the Iron Curtain.
1530Z Track 524 identified as one B-66 USAF.
14 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
15 Aug 58
0809Z SOS in Marville area, a USAF section with faulty IFF equipment.
0909Z SOS in vicinity of Etain, USAF aircraft landing at Etain.
0930Z SOS in Bitburg area, faulty IFF.
0956Z Track in the ADIZ, Zulu live scramble airborne 59.
1019Z Zulu identified the track in the ADIZ as 2 USAF F-84Fs.
1440Z SOS in FE5020, this is already under control of Moselle Control centre.
16 Aug 58
SOS in HF2005, no assist needed by USAF, they have fighters on it.
1441Z Zulu scrambled
1458Z Zulu ident of track, 2 USAF F100.
17 to 19 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
20 Aug 58
A conference was held at 1 Air Division HQ this day, under discussion were 6 TACC and operation. The agenda and minutes of this conference are attached as Appendix "F".
21 to 28 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
29 Aug 58
1400Z Report received from 4 (F) Wing that "Jailer" 31 crashed 300 off the field perimeter at Soellingen.
30 Aug 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
31 Aug 58
Appendix "G" is a summary of missions accomplished during the month of August.
1 to 3 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
4 Sep 58
Examination flying requirements for the quarter, and the accomplishments to date indicate the need for an increase in pace if all the requirements are to be met. Appendix "H" is a detailed analysis of the above statement.
5 to 8 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
9 Sep 58
A Sabre landing at Marville without radio ran off the edge of the runway breaking lights and spreading glass on the tarmac. This caused cancellation of night flying at this base.
10 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
11 Sep 58
Argus-Day. Co-operation with USAF and 1er CATAC is improving.
1559Z Argus-night scrambling of CF-100s was excellent.
12 to 15 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
16 Sep 58
1927Z Track in ADIZ headed east has crossed the Iron Curtain, however, broadcasting in the blind by YJ identified the track as Catfish 01, one T-33 on X-country, and an "Immediate Vector 270" brought this aircraft back into the West Zone of Germany. Subsequent conversation with the pilot revealed that this border violation had been caused by trouble with radio compass and VHF radio.
17 Sep 58
In Appendix "J" are the minutes of a conference held at 4 (F) Wing between 6 TACC Sector Commander and the IDF Squadron Commanders.
18 Sep 58
1600Z First visit of the new AOC A/V/M LE Wray and his C Staff O A/C PA Gilchrist. A briefing was given by the Sector Commander W/C CC Underhill in the Intelligence Room of 6 TACC. Appendix "I" is a photograph taken during the briefing.
18 Sep 58
One Dutch pilot bailed out over Fribourg Switzerland; this unit liaising between USAF who first reported this, and UDEM, 2 ATAF Germany, for final info to Volker where the aircraft was based. (Pilot is safe).
19 to 24 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
25 Sep 58
1013Z Zulu reverting to practice scramble after identifying track 010 as 2 USAF F-100s.
1455Z 1 (F) Wing Tower advises that Horseshoe "M" 2, 1 CF-100, with less than 900 lbs. of fuel is not in contact.
1456z USAF Rescue is scrambling a helicopter and, a BAF CF-100 is searching the area.
1511Z Frescaty Tower and French Gendarmerie advised, will in turn advise Salesman if any information becomes available.
1520Z USAF Rescue advised this unit of the bailout of HS "M" 2 at Roussy 12 NM North of Thionville, the helicopter is picking up both aircrew to return them to Marville.
26 to 29 Sep 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
30 Sep 58
Appendix "K" is a quarterly report of missions accomplished for Jul, Aug and Sep.
1 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
2 Oct 58
0800Z to 1600Z Argus-Day Exercise.
2300Z Argus-Night Exercise
3 Oct 58
1638z USAF requesting live scramble of CF-100s on track 31.
1648Z Student "A" scrambled
1700Z Student "O" scrambled
1708Z Track 31 faded before intercept.
1726Z Aircraft recalled to base, track 31 remaining unidentified.
4 to 9 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
10 Oct 58
1055Z Scramble of helicopter #309 for a possible bail-out reported by 3 (F) Wing. All Wings checking their aircraft.
1243Z Report received from French of a crash in Thionville area.
1247Z Frescaty confirms the crash of a French F-84F on the road between Metz and Thionville. The pilot bailed out successfully, nobody injured by debris.
11 to 13 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
14 Oct 58
1327Z Luxembourg tower called to say that an ejection seat had been found in the Luxembourg area. Could this be RCAF property.
1400Z After cross-checking reference numbers the above mentioned seat appears to belong to a CF-100 from 445 Squadron which crashed on 25th Sep 58.
15 Oct 58
1203Z One SOS in HF 4015 reported by Rampart, this aircraft is under control of Hann and landing there.
1225Z 4 F-86s, the emergency, landed safely at Hann.
16 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
17 Oct 58
Exercise Sunbeam. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 25/58 dated 26 Sep 58.
18 Oct 58
0243Z Exercise Sunbeam
19 Oct 58
0100Z End of Exercise Sunbeam. See Appendix "L" for summary of all sorties.
20 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
21 Oct 58
1515Z Visit of Canadas High Commissioner to Great Britain, The Honourable Mr. G. Drew and party. Briefing given by Sector Commander, W/C CC Underhill.
22 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
23 Oct 58
Warning of a Jump Moat operation.
24 Oct 58
1408Z Jump Moat completed, 15 CF-100 ferried from Canada to 4 (F) Wing Soellingen.
25 to 26 Oct 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
27 Oct 58
0900Z Start of a special exercise Sentry Post, this is for the benefit of Luxembourg Ground Observer Corps, but at the same time is good training for our aircrew in low-level navigation and ground attack. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 15/58 dated 1 May 58.
28 Oct 58
6 TACC is now to pass all information on aircraft movements to COC in Air Division HQ building.
29 Oct 58
Appendix "M" are minutes of a conference held at 1 (F) Wing this day between 6 TACC Sector Commander and AW Squadron Commanders.
30 Oct 58
Appendix "N" summary of sorties for October.
31 Oct 58
1200Z After spending considerable time and effort to arrange for a section to be available in time to intercept a Lone Ranger overfly, the target showed up 35 minutes early. No intercept. Lone Ranger refer to 1 Air Division Ops Order 49/58 10 Nov 58
1 to 2 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
3 Nov 58
0828Z SOS in FD5540, this is a USAF F-100 under control of YJ, who is taking this aircraft to Brienne for a landing.
0837Z The above F-100 has landed safely at Brienne.
4 to 5 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
6 Nov 58
Argus Day
1600Z UEDEM advises this unit that Argus Night will be 4 hours early and will consist of only 5 aircraft instead of the 20 scheduled.
7 Nov 58
1301Z Type 80 radar going off the air for modification. No Lone Ranger intercepts will take place due to the MPS-11 limited range.
8 to 9 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
10 Nov 58
1037Z SOS in Luxeuil area; French Air Force F-100. Two of our aircraft escorting it to Nancy-Essey.
1045Z FAF F-100 landed safely at Nancy-Essey.
11 to 12 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
13 Nov 58
0713Z Exercise Soft Spot. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 4/58 dated 29 Sep 58.
14 Nov 58
Exercise Soft Spot.
15 to 16 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
17 Nov 58
1148Z Exercise Soft Spot is in effect at 1 (F) Wing.
1305Z Emergency in Koblenz area believed to be Checkerboard Juliette Section. Two bail-outs from 2 F-86s. Helicopters scrambled to search for crashes.
1723Z Both pilots are safe, however one has a broken ankle, and the other a wrenched back.
18 Nov 58
0825Z Exercise Tuesday Scrimmage with the French Air Force, is cancelled by FAF. Refer 1 Air Div Ops Order 11/58 2/82 dated 1 May 58.
1020Z USAF are having a penetration and ident exercise in the ADIZ area. YJ instructed to ensure that adequate cross-tell and identification is maintained with USAF CRCs.
19 to 21 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
22 Nov 58
1302Z - USAF requests that Zulus airborne at this time, be diverted to investigate an unknown track of strength two, in LC1030.
1318Z Track in LC1030 identified by Zulu as 2 USAF F-100s.
23 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
24 Nov 58
0800Z Turn-around facilities arranged at 3 (F) Wing for 12 RCN aircraft enroute Gibraltar to the UK.
25 to 29 Nov 58
Nil report. Operations as usual.
30 Nov 58
For the last six days operations have been reduced to a minimum, poor weather is prevailing over most of 1 Air Division area. Appendix "O" is the summary of sorties for the month of November. Appendix "P" is a list of Ops Orders used by 6 TACC.
END OF VOLUME II
(CC Underhill) W/C
Sector Commander