Metz, France

1 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1023Z – At the request of Logroll, Strong Box "S" is scrambled on track 40 an unknown, strength 2, speed 450K at 34000’

1052Z – Track 40 has faded prior to intercept in the Chaumont area. Strong Box "S" is reverting to practice scramble.

1059Z – Passport request that Strong Box "S" be diverted live on track 53 which will be cross told by Logroll.

1112Z – Strong Box "S" reverted to practice scramble after track 53 faded in JC.

1525Z – Passport requesting a live scramble on track 43, strength 1, speed 350K alt 32000.

1540Z – Track 43 intercepted in HF0005 at 1538Z by Strong Box "S" scrambled live from 2 min. The intercepted aircraft are 2 USAF F-86Ds.

1654Z – 2 (F) Wing is closed with a fatal crash at the end of runway 33.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1930Z – Argus Day. Tracks originating in England were cancelled earlier because of WX and now the rest of Argus is cancelled for the same reason by Passport.

1545Z – 1 CF-100 HS211 on a cross-country under surveillance from YJ, has strayed inside the Swiss border for 8 to 10 miles. A report will be submitted to Air Division.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

No operations weather conditions are very poor throughout the area.

0900Z – Orders received from COC to implement SHAPE operational readiness test. The requirement for 1 Air Division is 142 Sabres and 52 CF-100.

1245Z – End of test, 146 Sabres and 52 CF-100’s were made available.

1457Z – Exercise Step Out took place and Norwegian aircraft coming from Toul landed at Grostenquin.

0843Z – SOS in FE1010 identified as one T33 under control of Moselle MCAC and landing safely back to base at Etain.

1145Z – SG "A" scrambled at 1123Z for Lone Ranger 139 and completing the intercept at this time in DE5005 identifying a Valian at 35000 ft.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

From 1450Z to 1639Z conflicting information have been coming in from various sources regarding a Canadian C-119, however the final situation is that this aircraft #22128 has crash-landed 40 miles SW of Modena in Italy while enroute from Athens to Pisa. Seven persons were aboard, all got out with only three of them being injured.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0950Z – Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled due to WX at Camsea.

1035Z – SG "S" intercepted a USAFE F-100 squawking 4 in a left hand triangular pattern. Radio trouble.

1403Z – Live scramble of Strong Box "R" at the request of Passport on track 032N, YJ has not contact with this track resulting in Strong Box "R" being out of position and reverting to practice.

1815Z – 3 (F) Wing has a failure of commercial electrical power.

2050Z – This failure is due to the grounding of a 20000 volt line.

0009Z – 3 (F) Wing is operating only on diesel power and everything is in order.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1930Z – Information is received from 2 (F) Wing of the disappearance of Dakota 975 enroute 2 (F) Wing to Pisa.

2125Z – Information received from Passport that Italian rescue parties have reached the scene of a crash in the Cotieliada Mountain area.

2135Z – Again from Passport, the number "975" has been read on the crashed aircraft.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0730Z – Weather conditions at Marville dictates diversion of their aircraft to other Wings with Salesman co-ordinating.

1757Z – Madcap 23 is over Grostenquin with complete instrument failure and MC 21 is scrambled to join up and guide 23 through the descent.

1811Z – Madcap 23 landed safely.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Appendix "A" shows the sorties accomplished during the quarter ending this day.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Chopstick "A" airborne on a Sky Saga is diverted on an SOS in the Chaumont area, however the SOS is under control and Chopstick "A" reverts to Sky Saga.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Seven emergencies during this day all of them USAFE, and in all of them some form of assistance was given by this unit. All aircraft landed safely. A meeting was held at 6 TACC to discuss the present mode of operation. Minutes of this conference are attached as Appendix "B".

Argus Exercise postponed; severe icing on alert aircraft. Runways unserviceable for the morning otherwise operations as usual.

Operations as usual after cancellation of Argus Exercise.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1620Z – A TU-104 Prague to Paris apparently strayed from its course and was seen in the area of Chaumont; this according to Passport who wishes this unit to cross-check with Rampart if any track information is available.

1845Z – From Paris Flight Service via Rampart the TU-104 when establishing contact with Paris was on its correct route.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

14 Jan 59

Weather conditions, ice and freezing rain, are curtailing operations

The same as on the 14^th applies to day.

Limited operations. The weather is remaining marginal.

1015Z – Glons in Belgium, reports one CF-100 landing at Bruston.

1228Z – The CF-100 is HS89. He landed at Bruston short of fuel; he has since refuelled and returned to 1 (F) Wing.

1400Z – Salesman is asked by Passport to run a survey to establish the position of all RCAF low flying aircraft. A MIG Type aircraft was reported at 200 ft. over Bitburg by three witnesses, two airmen and a colonel, these witnesses are positive in stating that the aircraft was bearing red stars.

1027Z – One T-33 "Mayday" in the vicinity of Dijon will land at Dijon.

1045Z – T-33 is down safely.

A conference was held at 3 (F) Wing between the Sector Commander and the IDF Squadron Commander, the minutes of this meeting are attached as Appendix "C".

As a result of the recent IDF conference, the Zulus states are not to be exchanged inter wings.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1637Z – Power failure. Salesman and Yellow Jack out of commission, however, all concerned advised.

The new syllabus for IDF has arrived and planning is going forth.

The wings are not programming their night flying adequately, this results in an overloading of Yellow Jack’s capabilities of control and of flight following.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0830Z – Previously all the planning and fragging of missions had been done by the night crew; as of today and for the remainder of the month it will be done on a trial basis by the day crew.

0942Z – Hornet Crab 2 bailed out, suspected cause, compressor stall, the aircraft crashed in a field 2 miles south of Hornbach, the pilot picked up by helicopter has only minor injuries.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

ADOC (4ATAF) called for the various phases of simulated alerts. This lasted from 0820Z to 1002Z and again from 1225Z to 1508Z.

1530Z – Rhubarb Mouse reports a heavy cluster of balloons, 100 ft wide and 300 ft deep carrying some type of equipment.

Passport advised, a NOTAM will be put out.

1640Z – Strong Box "E" live scrambled on balloon search.

1655Z – Strong Box "E" is on the balloons at 26000’ in KD1852.

1700Z – Argus is cancelled by the Chief of Staff due to the hazards created by the balloons.

Many more balloon sightings but no identification of ownership to date.

2339Z – Two more radar contacts with balloons in EF5050 and KD0550 altitude estimated at 50000 to 58000’.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0830Z – Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled because of weather .

1425Z – Hammerhead 90 reports sighting a clear plastic balloon, 10 miles south of Marville.

1635Z – Balloons sighted in the same area, very close to the ground. The French Gendarmes are alerted and a land recovery party is organized from Marville. Balloon and equipment recovered. Identified as meteorological equipment.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Practically nil flying due to weather.

Nil operations, fog.

1257Z – Unknown track originating in KE5550, Passport is unable to identify it and is requesting a live scramble.

1301Z – Strong Box Sierra requested to 2 min.

1307Z – Strong Box Sierra airborne

1315Z – The unknown track is identified by Strong Box Sierra as 2 French F-84s.

1715Z – TACC is receiving a call from Moselle Common Area Control regarding the heavy night flying planned at the Wings but not passed as flight plans for clearance by Rhine Control.

Another problem is the requirement for all aircraft crossing into Belgium to be cleared by Brussels.

2015Z – Due to weather most of the night flying has been cancelled eliminating the problems mentioned before, however this situation will have to be clarified as the Wings appear to be unaware of these regulations.

1250Z – Cartridge Dog declares an emergency at 44000 due to the loss of his canopy.

1257Z – After descending to 12000’ Cartridge Dog cancels his emergency and is returning to 1 (F) Wing.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

A large high pressure area over Central Europe is causing extensive fog, all Air Division bases are below limits.

1206Z – Passport informs this unit that their Stampede Golf 2 enroute Toul –Wheelus has disappeared near Geneva.

1400Z – After a communication search this unit able to inform Passport of (a) one F-100 crashed 20 NM east of Chaumont Airbase and (b) that the pilot after bailing out safely NNW of Geneva was now hospitalized in Lons-Le-Saulnier.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Operation Step Out is taking place with 2 Norwegian T-33s arriving at Soellingen.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Passport the Advon ACC is now using Mince Pie for call sign.

1910Z – Exercise Argus Night commenced.

2145Z – Exercise Argus Night completed. The results of the evening are 20 fighters airborne, 26 attacks attempted, breaking down into 11 MAs, 15 MIs.

0800Z – Argus Day starting.

0855Z – Track 23D believed to be two Canadian F-86s crossed the Iron Curtain at LG0012, this was Argus Raid 103.

1428Z – Two CF-100s of 440 Squadron from 3 (F) Wing intercepted by USAFE Bloodstone Romeo after having penetrated the ADIZ. Border not violated.

Two F-86s low on fuel squawking 4 landed safely, one at Soellingen and the other at Grostenquin.

Four SOS calls this day were given assistance; all emergencies were terminated without fatalities. Three were Us and one Canadian.

0828Z – First SOS for this day; Rhubarb 108 bailed out. A helicopter is scrambled by Mince Pie and is under control of MCAC.

0940Z – Emergency over Laon, Yardarm "T" diverted to investigate but this track faded prior to intercept.

1005Z – SOS from Jailer Rye 1 & 2, short on fuel, ordered by Salesman Duty Controller to land at 3 (F) Wing.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1622Z – Operation "Duel" taking place, 2 FAF F-84Fs intercepted.

1800Z – Coordination with MCAC and Rhine Control is in need of clarification. As 3 (F) Wing aircraft started to taxi out for their night flying, MCAC refused to have anything to do with their flight plans, only the prompt intervention of Salesman Duty Controller ensured that the said flight plans were passed to the agencies concerned.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0957Z – Exercise "Duel" Yardarm "T" scrambled and intercepting 2 FAF F-84s.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Two exercise "Duel" accomplished successfully.

Mince Pie advised us of a bailout near Chaumont and requests a scramble to investigate.

0912Z – Chaumont advises us that they have found the wreckage, a T-33 USAF, the pilot dead having caught his parachute in the empanage after bailout.

1340Z – ADOC Senior Controller is requesting us to organize and accept a handover of 2 F-100s to intercept a flight of 6 F-100s coming from the USA.

1616Z – Entry of 1340 accomplished.

Major Wright ADOC Senior Controller called to express his thanks and appreciation for the successful intercept of 6 F-100s and their subsequent bringing home by Yellowjack to Hann.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Flight planning problems with MCAC and Rhine Control have been resolved.

Included as Appendix "D" is a report of sorties accomplished for this quarter.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0930Z – Exercise Soft Spot started at this time and the Ops room manning is reduced to three officers and three fighter controls operators, the remainder are sent to shelter.

0946Z – COC advises us that Soft Spot is terminated. Further information on this exercise may be obtained from this unit’s File 6/S55.01.42 2 Apr 59

1021Z – From COC, SHAPE operational readiness test with R/Hour set at 1000Z.

1030Z – First section, Sandal Peach, airborne on readiness test.

1410Z – End of SHAPE operational readiness test. Total sorties actual or simulated accomplished, 161 while maintaining 6 on 5 min.

1236Z – SB "R" on CAP under control of Barber a USAFE ADVON CRC after a handover from YJ.

0822Z – SB "S" practice scramble for CAP in ADIZ at 45000’ under control of Racecard, also a USAFE ADVON CRC.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Three American SOS’s all landed safely after receiving some form of help from YJ.

Rampart the French ACC reports chaff in KE. This is correlated with YJ which is carrying the chaff in KE2545, one mile wide and five miles long; Mince Pie advised and they confirm that it is one of their exercises.

0833Z – COC called for Bass Bait code word for Military Vigilance. This is the beginning of Exercise Top Weight, 4ATAF yearly exercise.

A state of Military Vigilance is maintained.

A state of Military Vigilance is maintained.

1212Z – From COC, Yellow Swan, or Simple Alert is declared, effective 1212Z.

2955Z – COC announces "Fox Grape" effective 130001, Orange Alert.

0156Z – Red Swan, Reinforced Alert received from ADOC to be effective 0200Z.

1047Z – Student "G" on CAP had identified 2 Portuguese F-86 aircraft ADOC C/S Fairfax informed.

1207Z – COC informs that Red Rufus, Scarlet Alert, will effective 1210Z.

1300Z – Grey Swan or General Alert/R Hour effective 1257Z. Further information on Exercise Top Weight will be found in file 6/S55.01.08.

Top Weight in progress.

1203Z – Mad Cap Birch "2" crashed near Neufonateau, pilot was killed.

0815Z – Yardarm Beer diverted to intercept SOS in DC0530. Intercept accomplished in ED4020.

0825Z – SOS DP 3059, Madcap Spruce sent to investigate this track which appears to be doing a right hand triangle.

0840Z – Madcap Spruce, unable to intercept, the aircraft being in or below the clouds.

1257Z – Exercise Top Weight terminated this time.

Sunday Routine

Sunday Routine

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1517Z – 2 (F) Wing closed for runway repairs tomorrow PM until dark.

1526Z – Exercise Duel 2 F-84Fs intercepted by ST "N".

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

25 Apr 59

0816Z – 2 (F) Wing closed with a CF-100 in the crash barrier.

0937Z – 2 (F) Wing serviceable

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1355Z – One T-33 #21586 returning from Soellingen to Zweibrucken bounced off a mountain top into a radar antenna of the French station of Drachenbraun. The aircraft’s occupants were killed on impact but no casualties were sustained by the French personnel working nearby. The radar antenna belonging to Height Finding equipment was completely demolished.

1624Z – Received a call for practice Ste. Orange from CanairDiv; this will involve only 6 TACC & 1 (F) Wing, the latter to have its aircraft on state according to Drum Fire Annex B para 1 (a).

1747Z – Practice state Scarlet; 2 & 4 (F) Wing remaining open for possible diversions.

1758Z – Practice General Alert

1807Z – Exercise terminated this time.

Four SOS calls concluded safely. Two were Americans, one German, one Canadian.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Appendix "E" is the monthly number of sorties accomplished.

Two SOS’s both Americans, no assistance needed.

One SOS, Canadian; Strong Box Romeo lead went into a spin, decided to bail out at 1000’ but recovered and proceeded to home base for a safe landing.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0930Z – Salesman is informed of a May flight, consisting of six Canberras at 43000 to 45000’.

1130Z – After scrambling five Canadian sections and accepting the handover of one American section, six Canberras were intercepted.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2236Z – Mince Pie has a T-33 in trouble in ED area, YJ is seeing this track and HM "C" is scrambled for assistance.

2242Z – Mince Pie reports the T-33 in contact with Evreux Tower. HM "C" will proceed to Evreux in case assistance is needed.

2315Z – Mince Pie reports that the T33 has landed safely, and that HM "C" is no longer needed.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0507Z – Exercise Soft Spot is called by COC to affect only 6 TACC and 3 (F) Wing.

1118Z – Soft Spot terminated at this time. Results were as follows:

76 IDF sorties, 10 AWX sorties, 6 F-100 sorties.

The last 6 sorties were flown by an American squadron stationed on exchange at 3 (F) Wing.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

0909Z – Argus Day, with 24 raids scheduled and composed of:

6 Canberras, 2 B-66, 6 X 4 F-84Fs, 4 X 4 F-86Fs, 2 X 2 Hunter, 4 X 1 Vautour

Resulting in:

3 Canberras seen and 2 intercepted.

2 sections of F-84Fs seen and 1 intercepted

1 B-66 seen

4 sections of F-86 seen and 4 intercepted

2 sections of Hunter seen

4 Vautours outside of AFC.

2230Z – Argus Night commencing in GH5040, there is to be two routes followed each by 12 Canberras, the aircraft to be in trail 2 minutes apart. However due to unsatisfactory rules for lead collision intercepts it was decided that 1 Air Division would not take part in this phase of the exercise.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Three SOS’s, two USAFE and one RCAF, all landed safely at their home bases.

A meeting was held at 6 TACC to discuss the mode of operation in use. The minutes of this meeting are contained in Appendix "F".

0820Z – Sandal 61 in distress is intercepted by Bloodstone "N" an American section who will escort it back to 3 (F) Wing.

0843Z – Sandal 61 landed safely.

F/L DA Peters reported in from 440 Squadron, to take over as IO from F/L R Rumble transferred to RCAF Station Winnipeg on instructional duties.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Salesman, acting as a go between for 2ATAF, is obtaining from Marseille Air Rescue, information on the crash of a German F-86.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

SOS in HE 1005. Horseshoe Blue already in area is diverted and identified the SOS as two USAF F-100s. This is apparently an unserviceable IFF.

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Appendix "G" is the monthly amount of sorties accomplished during May.

(CC Underhill) W/C
Sector Commander