61/S55.01.40 (CO)
METZ, MOSELLE, FRANCE,
10 JUN 58
AIR OFFICER COMMANDING,
1 AIR DIVISION, RCAF,
CAPO 5052
Exercise Sans Sweat Report
Confirmation of earlier rumours, which has been lent weight by the advent of good weather was received at 1025Z 20 May when AO 145 (same date) came in from ADHQ. This warning allowed for the implementation of previously prepared schedules with the minimum of difficulty in alerting personnel.
Available controller strength was 21 augmented by three RBAF officers on cross-training, the TrainO, OpsO, and the COpsO and CO who filled the duty controller position. Available FtrCop strength was 91 depleted by one "AttendC" and four on supplementary guard duty as a result of the disturbed political condition. Maximum manning was arranged for the periods 1700 to 2359 and 0001 to 0830 at the expense of the day shift. Shift rotation was normal, except for the loss of days off and for 22 May when all available strength was divided equally, on a 12-on-12-off basis to cover both Sans Sweat and Synthex Guest exercises.
Few difficulties are recorded as having been experienced other than the loss of all height finders at the beginning of the second night’s activity. One height finder was back in service after 30 minutes and another, five minutes later. Meteorological hazards to flight which affected the first night’s activity were, initially, an asset in that they caused a gradual warm-up to full scale flying and, later, proved a burden by causing diversions. Because of the intense scope weather returns the slightest delay in scrambling meant that intercepts had to be completed in the cloud saturated area – Head 2 (Type 80 Log RX) was not fully effective – figures for the first night. The reticence of aircrew to declare their AI u/s also reflects adversely on missed intercept figures – in some cases three unsuccessful runs were made before the weapon was declared u/s. Intercept time, which could have been profitably used with replacement aircraft with serviceable AI, was thus lost and the number of attempted intercepts increased without the benefit of any increase in the MA figure.
Flight following for offensive missions was provided by four controllers positioned around the 21" horizontal display which was off-centered and expanded to show all of the four Wings and most of the specified targets. Each of the four controllers was allotted one of the Wing Common Frequencies and was responsible for offensive sorties of his particular Wing. The Fighter Marshal function, normally filled at the 21" scope, was moved to PPI 3 (T64) console) but otherwise remained normal with all defensive forces checking in on Air Division Common for holding and allocation to one of six intercept control scopes. The remaining scope (PPI 4) was occupied in its normal surveillance role.
A tabulated summary of sorties and intercepts is attached as App "A".
Signed (GF Ockenden) W/C
Co, 61 AC&W Sqn