It has been determined that Detachment A was moved from Wiesbaden to Geibelstadt in October 1956.
Giebelstadt was located located about 10 miles south of Wurzburg - which in turn was located approximately 180 miles east north east of Metz, and as a result, this location was close enough for the Type 80 search radar located in Metz, to have tracked many of the U-2 flights in and out of Giebelstadt. We must remember that U-2 flights would have flown west on departure and arrival to allow for climb and or descent from altitude - thereby placing the aircraft to the west of Giebelstadt on a fair number of occasions.
The following detail is a summary of U-2 activities, as tracked on the Type 80 search radar that was used by 61 AC&W Squadron in Metz between the period of October 1956 and November 1957. This detail has been extracted from official 61 AC&W Historical Reports which were made available by the National Archives of Canada
30 Oct 56
Another live scramble this date by 4 (F) Wing aircraft. The track was identified prior to intercept as the NACA U-2, and our fighters were ordered to break off.
9 Apr 57
3 (F) Wing aircraft scrambled "live" to investigate a track detected on an inbound heading over Austria at 60,000 feet. Fighters were ordered to break off by 12 AF ACC as the track had a secret classification. This is suspected to be a NACA U-2, previously reported on 30 Oct 56.
17 Apr 57
Another active day operationally with two "live" scrambles utilizing Zulu aircraft from 2 (F) Wing, Grostenquin France. Identity on the first live scramble was a USAF aircraft on the "secret" list, first detected over Austria.
4 Jun 57
A third live scramble against an further unknown in the ADIZ. This unit controlled aircraft from No. 3 (F) Wing and obtained identification as a USAF U-2 type aircraft.
23 Aug 57
Second live scramble, this time employing interceptors from No. 1 (F) Wing, Marville France against an unknown track. The aircraft identity was declared classified and not released by 12 AF HQ.
7 Oct 57
"Live" scramble on track in ADIZ. Identification was a classified mission.
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Updated: May 11, 2005
