Metz, France

8 Apr 63

Federal General Election

Federal elections were held this year on 8 Apr, while the services voted on 2-4 Apr. Throughout 1 Air Division careful attention to procedures and an efficient organization ensured that all eligible service voters were given the opportunity to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently.

A suitable pin and scroll have been designed for presentation to civilian workers who have completed ten years service in 1 Air Division.

Dec 62 – Apr 63

Four Management Engineering studies were carried out and/or reports issued during this five month period. The report of the 5 AMU cargo handling study was compiled and issued during December and a short follow-up study carried out in March. Due to the curtailing of both air and road transport because of icy roads and runways, this latter study did not achieve the hoped for objectives. The second in a series of study reports on civilian overtime was completed and issued during March, while during March and April, a study of the administrative workload on the 3 Wing Telecommunications section was completed.

A senior NCO in the branch successfully completed the five week O&M (Administrative Work Study) course in Cranfield, England on 14 Dec 62. Two officers in the branch completed the five week Work Study Specialist course with the RAF at Hendon, England during the period and SOOrg&Man attended the RAF Management Study Group, also at Hendon.

Photographic equipment, with the exception of lenses and wiring, was received for use in Management Engineering studies, when such equipment can be used to advantage.

A study of the requirements for support services by 1 Air Division HQ was started to ascertain whether the present organization is using more resources than is really necessary.

A new establishment for 3 Wing Zweibrucken was issued effective 15 Dec 62 to adjust for the CF104 role. Also issued on the same date, was a new establishment for 427 Strike/Recce Squadron.

The four CF-100 Squadrons disbanded on 31 Dec and the establishments cancelled on that date. 445 Squadron disbanded at 1 Wing, Marville; 423 Squadron at 2 Wing, Grostenquin; and 419 and 440 at 4 Wing, Baden-Soellingen, the latter having been deployed there from 3 Wing due to runway construction work.

61 AC&W Squadron at Metz disbanded on 31 Dec 62 after having been an established unit in 1 Air Division since May 1955. The establishment was cancelled effective 31 Dec 62.

Nine ComOp and five ComTech(G) positions were added to the 1 Wing establishment to provide for personnel to operate and maintain the Single Side Band communications facility.

The Expeditor a/c located at 2 Wing was transferred from 2 Wing establishment to 109 Comm Flight establishment.

Adjustments were made to 601 Telecommunications Squadron establishments on the transfer of the unit from 2 Wing to Metz where it is occupying premises formerly used by 61 AC&W Squadron/

Ten additional technical NCO positions were added to the AWU establishment to prepare the maintenance and servicing shops for CF-104 operations.

The laundry operator establishment at 2 Wing was increased by 12 civilians to provide staff to operate the cleaning and laundry facilities for 3 Wing, Zweibrucken. 3 Wing had previously operated on civilian contract which was cancelled on 15 Jan 63.

434 Squadron at 3 Wing converted from an F-86 IDF Squadron to a CF-104 Strike/Recce Squadron 15 Jan 63.

The establishment of 4 Wing at Baden-Soellingen was re-issued effective 1 Mar 63 to provide for personnel under the new operational concept as a CF-104 Wing. On the same date, 444 IDF Squadron establishment was re-issued as a Strike/Recce Squadron.

The words "Fighter" and "HQ" were deleted from all Wing titles – e.g. "1 Fighter Wing Headquarters, Marville, France" was amended to read: "1 Wing, Marville, France".

The MFR of the CF104 Squadrons was reduced from 30 hrs per aircraft to 25 hrs per aircraft and two CF104D a/c were added to the establishment of each Squadron.

The title of 1 Air Division Combat Operations Centre was amended to read: "1 Air Division Operations Centre".

With the arrival of an officer for the Stats/Analysis Section on 5 Jan 63, all officer positions in the SOOrg&Man Branch were filled. F/L Bohn, who had been in charge of the Stats Section for some time, but who has been given a Management Engineering Course, was moved into the Management Engineering Section at this time.

Initial Manning was started to develop a Management Analysis system for 1 Air Division to provide the AOC and his staff with monthly briefings of achievements and problems concerning the changing role of the Air Division.

On 7 Mar a briefing on Reports Control procedures was presented to headquarters staffs and representatives from Air Div units for the purpose of introducing a planned programme for the improvement of data collection.

One officer attended the NATO Orientation course at NATO Headquarters.

A paper on the development of 1 Air Division Reports Control programme was completed and forwarded to Air Division units, Commands and AFHQ.

Preliminary surveys were conducted by the Stats/Analysis officers into the type of report required to gather the statistics on CF-104 maintenance.

CF-104 Maintenance Activity Record, Air Div Stats 3603, was introduced, 3 Wing commenced reporting by this Stat form.

One Sr. NCO returned 10 May from six weeks TD during which he successfully completed a five-week course at the IBM Education Centre in Ottawa and a three-day working seminar on visual communications techniques at Tecnifax (Canada) Ltd., Toronto.

1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

Activity in the Technical Division of the HQs has continued at a very high level. In addition to the normal day to day operating and maintenance problems associated with the F-86 aircraft, many new problems were encountered during the re-equipping of the Air Division squadrons with the CF-104 aircraft.

A combined Canadair and Scottish Aviation MRP has been continuously modifying CF-104 aircraft at 3 Wing in order to reduce the back log of outstanding modifications and to ensure that vital modifications are installed as quickly as possible.

427 Sabre Squadron, 3 Wing, phased out 15 Dec 62.

The first CF-104 Squadron, number 427, was activated 17 Dec at 3 Wing.

All four CF-100 squadrons, which ceased operations 31 Dec 62, ferried their aircraft to SAL, Prestwick for disposal during the early days of January. A 6 RD MRP was based at 2 Wing to install TACAN in UE T-33 aircraft. Eleven aircraft were completed ahead of schedule during February. 434 Sabre Squadron at 3 Wing phased out 15 Jan.

444 Sabre Squadron at 4 Wing phased out 1 Mar.

434 CF-104 Squadron activated 8 Apr at 3 Wing. 422 Sabre Squadron phased out at 4 Wing 15 Apr

444 CF-104 activated at 3 Wing 27 May.

Disbanding Squadrons maintained full serviceability until phase-out dates. Re-allocation of aircraft was effected as necessary to utilize flying potential and conserve maintenance effort. All rejected aircraft were ferried to SAL, Prestwick without incident.

The civilian personnel changes within SOAE during this period were as follows:

1. Mr. W Morgan, CF-100 FSR, ceased duty on 15 Jan and returned to Canada
2. Mr. F Spink, Orenda FSR, and Mr. GH Doutre, Canadair FSR, ceased duty 31 Mar 63 and returned to Canada.
3. Mr. J Curtis, Canadair Integrated Electronics, FSR, arrived 5 Jan 63.
4. Mr. J Bilby, Canadair, airframe FSR, arrived for duty 12 Jan 63.
5. Mr. J Reid, Orenda FSR, arrived for duty 20 May 63.
6. Mr. J Ross, Litton FSR, arrived for duty 26 Apr 63.

The Flight Data Card reporting system for the MG-2 was discontinued in Dec 62 and activity on the Sabre FCS has been nil for this reporting period.

Decimomannu, 3 and 4 Wings’ electronic workshops have been completed and the installed equipment is operating satisfactorily. Decimomannu and 4 Wing adopted the avionics concept whereby the IAE, Telecom and Armament electronic systems are grouped under one roof. To date, the CF104 NASARR System serviceability has hovered around 80%, however, the employment of NASARR has been restricted to the more reliable Ground Map modes. The lack of ground calibration equipment has precluded the use of the most important radar modes which are the contour mapping and the terrain avoidance modes. The target date for the delivery of this equipment is approximately 1 Aug 63. It is expected that the NASARR serviceability rate will be reduced drastically when the ground calibration of these modes commences since the check-out procedures are complex and lengthy.

AFHQ/COR advised that the Bomb Toss Computer was to be removed from CF-104 aircraft as it no longer met the operational requirements. The Bombing Computer training programme, which was scheduled to start in Feb has deleted from the 5FTTU syllabus.

1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

The Airmen’s Promotion Board was held at 1 Air Div HQ on 4 Dec 62 to consider all Cpls. and ACs eligible and recommended for promotion. Composition of the Board was as follows:

President:

A/C DAR Bradshaw – CofS

Members:

G/C ER Emond – SPSO
W/C DW Henry – SOPC
F/L CL Angus – SOPC
WO1 JS Kirkham – SU Metz
WO1 JJ Mellish – 30 AMB
WO1 DW Macklam – 1 Wing
WO1 DK Gibson – 2 Wing
WO1 EM Crisp – 3 Wing
WO1 DB Burnett – 4 Wing

The quota for this Board was as follows:

To Sgt. – 30
To Cpl. – 115
Total – 145

The duration of the Board was 10 days. A SWO’s Conference was held at the completion of the Board, lasting for two days.

In Mar 63, 19 personnel in Air Div were selected for commissioning from the ranks.

Airmen’s promotions for the period 1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63 were as follows:

Officers promoted on 1 Jan 63:

PCs granted on 1 Jan 63: 10

Extensions to SSC granted on 1 Jan 63:

1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

There were a total of 4 Service and 13 dependent deaths in 1 Air Division during the period 1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63. The causes of these deaths are broken down as follows:

All Service burials took place at the Choloy post-war Military Cemetery. Of the 13 dependents, 6 were buried in the Dependent’s Section of Choloy Cemetery, 1 was cremated at the Southern Cemetery and Crematorium in Wilford, Notts, England, 1 was buried in the St. Mard Cemetery, St. Mard, Belgium, and 5 (all infants) were buried in the Main Cemetery at Zweibrucken, Germany.

On 30 and 31 Jan 63, SOPA/2 and SOPA/7 conducted the Annual SOPA M&I Inspection of 1 Wing Marville.

Since the formation of DAFM, who is responsible for all itineraries and associated administrative work from AFHQ level, it became increasingly difficult for SOPA to fulfill these particular responsibilities (effectively) at the Command level. It became apparent that 1 Air Division itineraries could be best co-ordinated by SOMov whose responsibilities in this respect would then also be more compatible with DAFM. Effective 27 May, therefore, the responsibility for itineraries was transferred to SOMov.

A physical fitness team comprise of F/L J Tucker, WRecO from 2 Wing, F/L R Zinck, SRecO SU, and F/L FH LeFeuvre, CHQ RecO, completed the indoctrination of the physical fitness testing plan at 1 Air Div units. The units visited were 30 AMB and AWU Decimomannu. Although Decci lacked the facilities, the fitness tests were carried out on the tarmac with make-shift equipment. Future tests at this unit can be completed in the same manner.

The Inter-Wing Hockey Championship was won by 1 Wing for the first time. The final series against 4 Wing went to the maximum fifth game.

The 1 Air Div Sports Achievement Trophy went to the SU Metz in a close finish with 2 Wing. The trophy had been won by 2 Wing the previous two years.

At the semi-annual Recreation Conference in April, the units were advised that because of the continued austerity programme, because unit establishment positions would no long be filled to capacity with fully trained personnel and, due to the fact that there was to be a general tightening on the number of man hours being lost, recreation events would have to be performed on week-ends. This plan was put into effect. In line with this policy the following tournament competitions were cancelled: Inter-Section Basketball, Inter-Section Volleyball, Inter-Section Bowling, Inter-Section Quarterly Skeet Shoots, and the Europe Curling bonspiel.

The network consists of five 50 Watt FM transmitters; one at each of the Continental European bases (public property). The headquarters studio at Metz (public property) and the five studios for local production at the Wings and at Metz (provided out of M&I funds) form a network connected by Service micro-wave voice circuits.

During the period CFN Headquarters continued to broadcast 116 hours a week, with weekday sign-on at 0630 hours, and Saturday, Sunday and holiday sign-on at 1000 hours. Daily sign-off is at 1200 hours. The programme hours at the four wing stations vary only slightly from this, as some of them stay on the air later to serve night crews.

Network headquarters makes available to all stations approximately 70 hrs of CBC tape and shortwave programmes and 46 hrs of local production by volunteers and staff. The four wing stations accept from 60 to 70 hrs of the CBC material, filling the remainder of their broadcast time from local production by their own volunteers as available. In the event that local volunteers are not available at the wings, however, there is at all times a programme available to them on the network line.

During the period, progress was made in arranging network programmes contributed by the various locations. Inter-wing hockey was carried on an average of once every five days during the season. An inter-wing talent contest brought musical talent from all five locations to the total Air Division audience, and a children’s programme five days a week originated one day a week from each of the five stations. An innovation for Air Division listeners was the Morning Devotions programme broadcast each weekday morning throughout Lent, with Protestant and Catholic chaplains from all five locations contributing.

Audience reaction was sounded during a tour of the wings by the network director in Feb 63, when he met with radio committees at each location, made up of representative members of the communities. Reaction to the CFN programme was generally most favourable, both to the CBC content and to local productions. The committee felt that local communities could take even more advantage of CFN facilities than they do at present, both for purposes of publicizing activities and actual participation in broadcasting. News from Canada aroused most interest in listeners, and at the same time called forth the most critical comment. Committees were informed that the news content of CFN is under revision and that it is hoped to provide an expanded news and sports service in the coming year.

A course for volunteer personnel was held during February and March at CFN Baden Soellingen. Guest speakers included officials of the American Forces network at Frankfurt and members of CFN staff. All lectures were recorded and will be made available to other wings during the year.

A proposal to modify the micro-wave linking CFN stations was considered, in order to improve the quality of transmissions to the Wing stations. It was decided to defer action on this proposal pending a survey of an associated problem that of land-line connections terminating the micro-wave facilities. Such land-lines are telephone pairs of limited frequency response, and modifications of the micro-wave without replacement of these landlines by shielded cables would be a waste of money. Replacement of the cable, however, would be expensive , and the two problems must be considered together.

During the period, CFN Station Managers at 1 Wing and 3 Wing were repatriated at their own request for personal reasons. Both have been replace. Present paid CFN staff consists of one civilian manager at each of the four wings, and four announcer-operators at Network HQs in Metz. During the period, a salary adjustment was made for these eight personnel from $230.00 to $250.00 per month. CBC seconded personnel numbered two, the Director (Mr Alan Brown) and the Assistant Director (Mr. Donald McGibbon).

Visit of the Right Rev IA Norris, BA, DD, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Brandon and Bishop Ordinary to the Armed Forces took place in 1 Air Division 22 Feb to 1 Mar, when he visited the four Wings, SU Metz and 1 Air Div HQ, conducting five separate Confirmation Services, and one two-hour Quiet-Day Meditation at 2 Wing Chapel (P) at which all the Chaplains (P) of 1 Air Division were in attendance. A total of 63 candidates were confirmed throughout the 1 Air Division. Brief receptions and Social Hours were held subsequent to each Confirmation service, and the Bishop was furthermore entertained socially at special luncheons and dinner parties throughout his tour. The Quiet Day Meditations conducted by the Bishop were excellent, outlining in the main the spiritual responsibilities of a Chaplain in his relationship to God and his associations with service personnel and their dependents.

A brief resume of the work carried out by the eight Chaplains (P) in 1 Air Division during the period is submitted in statistical terms as follows:

Divine Worship Services conducted– 203
Total Attendance – 26,654
Holy Communion Services – 94
Total Number of Communicants – 2,967
Total Number of Baptisms – 149
Marriages conducted – 27
Funeral Conducted – 14
Confirmations – 62
Sunday School Sessions – 160
Total Attendance of Sunday School – 27,102
Classes of Religious Education in Day Schools – 285
Total Attendance at R.E. Day School Classes – 35,210
Total Sunday School Offerings for this period - $3,341.50
Total Chapel Offerings for this period – $8,104.05

SORA/RC assisted at an Annual Chaplains Conference of AAFCE Chaplains Consultative Committee at RAF Chaplains’ School, Amport House, Hants, England.

Some 150 Roman Catholics from 1 Air Division travelled to Lourdes to join 45,000 pilgrims from 27 other nations. The Canadian delegation to this International Military Pilgrimage was joined at Lourdes by Most Rev. Maurice Roy, Archbishop of Quebec and Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Armed Forces.

A team composed of an officer from DPM and GT2 visited each Wing and SU Metz during mid-January. The team counselled high school students as to the merits of ROTP and application procedures. In May another visit to the Wings and SU Metz was made to test the applicants. A total of four Matric (Jr.) and twelve Matric (Sr.) applicants were tested.

SOGT visited 4 Wing and 1 Wing on 28 Jan 63 and 29 Apr 63 respectively.

A new concept for TA in Air Div was approved and implemented in February. The emphasis is now on on-the-job type of training and rotational employment to better relate the theory to the practical.

URTP F/C A Behnan, Pers/Educ, commenced his summer employment in Ground Training on 17 May 63.

During December, staff requirements for Sep 63 were submitted to the Director of Education, NDHQ. Total staff at Air Division schools numbered more than 250 teachers, of whom approximately half are to be repatriated to Canada during the summer of 1963. Staff requirements show 125 teachers needed to fill the vacancies for Sep 63.

Enrolment in Air Division schools as of Jan 63 totalled 5,158 students.

A Principals’ Conference was held at 1 Air Division HQ on 28 and 29 Mar. The Conference was attended by all Wing principals, 1 Air Div HQ principals, 4 ATAF principal and all administrative staff. The Conference agenda was devoted solely to discussion and solution of problems of immediate concern and was considered highly successful.

A standardized testing programme involving intelligence, diagnostic and achievement tests was carried out in April and May. Tests were administered to all students from kindergarten to grade IX and results will assess each student’s abilities and achievement compared with Canadian norms.

Students of the Air Division schools participated in two French language competition sponsored by La Mission Centrale de Liaison pour L’Assistance Aux Armees Alliees. An oral competition was instituted this year and took place at Sevres on 17 May. Participants included students of Canadian and American schools in France. Two winners were declared, one for the junior division and one for the senior division. Both winners are students of the 1 Air Div HQ senior school. The essay competition is an annual event and has been held for some years. Twenty-six Air Division students participated and the Canadian winner is normally announced in June.

25 Feb 63

Sgt. McKay was transferred to 4 Wing and Cpl Meyers to 3 Wing.

WO2 KD Warren was TOS from 3 Wing to assume position of NCO i/c SOSec Orderly Room.

Sgt. Fowler was transferred in from 2 Wing.

F/L AJ Murtagh was posted to Staff School. WO2 Warren took up position of CPolO during F/L Murtagh’s absence.

Sgt. MJ Meehan attended the Kennel Master and Sentry Dog Handler course at the USAFE Sentry Dog School, Wiesbaden. Upon graduation, he took up the position of NCO i/c Sentry Dog Section at 3 Wing. He is believed to be the first sentry dog handler and kennel master in the history of the RCAF.

Sgt. McKay attended a Kennel Master and Sentry Dog Handler Course at Wiesbaden. He will assume duties of kennel master at 4 Wing upon graduation.

The first group of 17 RCAF sentry dog handlers and sentry dogs completed training at the USAFE Sentry Dog School and were transferred to 3 Wing.

Ten GE Voice Commander Portable Radios received by 3 and 4 Wings for security training of Security Forces.

A new license plate bearing the name "CANADA" was introduced for use on PMC vehicles. In addition, a new Operator’s Permit and Vehicle Registration document printed in English, French and German was taken into use.

Arrangements were made to provide AF licensing services to the US Coast Guard at Sardinia.

18 – 19 Dec 62

A General Court Martial convened at 4 Wing to try Mr. Matiation, a DND school teacher, on a charge of causing death by criminal negligence. This is the first time since the beginning of 1 Air Division that a member of the civilian component of the RCAF overseas was tried by Court Martial. Mr. Matiation was acquitted.

The AOC directed that Daniel Harry MacAuley, a dependent, be tried by Special General Court Martial, on a charge of causing bodily harm by criminal negligence. This is the second time in 1 Air Division history that a trial by Court Martial of a dependent is directed.

28 Nov 62 to 8 Dec 62

G/C AB Searle, AFHQ/DFS
W/C WC Warren
S/L RK Scott

Maj. Gen. WAB Anderson, Adj. General

G/C JP Davignon, AFHQ/DRA/RC.
While visiting 1 Air Division, G/C Davignon held a one-day conference of chaplains at 3 Wing on 29 Jan 63.

Lt. Col. RV Hyde, D/Postal

A/C Ed Poole, CJSL (CTel)
W/C JR France, SOTel

W/C E Wilson plus party of two, TCHQ/SOGT

W/C Stuart plus party of two, DOE

A/C GS Austin plus party of three, CPlans

Col. Barr, AFHQ/DpersMed
G/C Nelson, CJS(L)
Visited 1 Air Div Units for career counselling with Medical List Personnel

W/V/M WW Bean, AFHQ/AMTS
W/V/M JB Millward, AMCHQ/AOC, Plus party of two

Rt. Rev IA Norris, BA, DD, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Brandon and Bishop Ordinary to the Armed Forces took place in 1 Air Division.

Brig Baird, D/Dent

Rev McGovern, A mission visit.

W/C KC Lett, Stn Cold Lake

Mr. Lohne, RNOAF

Mr. Starnes, Canadian Ambassador to Germany

Cmdt Holvoet, French Air Force

S/L GF Studenski, OC CAFIB
Inspected CAFIB units in 1 Air Division. During his visit he conducted a two-day CAFIB field unit operator’s course at 2 Wing.

Hon. George A. Drew, P.C., QC, Canada’s High Commissioner to Britain

A/C GG Diamond, AFHQ/AMP
G/C CW Burgess
W/A SA Banks, AFHQ/DAFS
G/C EO Campbell, DND/Surg Gen.
A/C CG Ruttan, AFHQ/VCAS
F/L King

Major Wien, H/D Postal (Europe)

Policy

Throughout the period, Air Defence continued to be the primary role of 1 Air Division, and the 70% combat ready status required by SACEUR was maintained.

427 IDF Squadron was disbanded, and the 25 Sabre aircraft were ferried to Scottish Aviation Ltd at Prestwick, Scotland.

427 Squadron was reformed at 3 Wing with the CF-104 aircraft.

The Air Division’s four CF100 All Weather Squadrons that had served in NATO for over five years were disbanded on 31 Dec.

61 AC&W Squadron was disbanded on 3 Dec still enjoying the reputation as the finest radar unit in Europe. Several Air Division exercises dependent on the existence of 61 AC&W Squadron were also discontinued at this time.

During this four-day period, the 72 CF-100 aircraft of 419, 423, 440, and 445 Squadrons were ferried to Scottish Aviation at Prestwick.

434 IDF Squadron became the second Sabre Squadron to disband, and these aircraft were also ferried to Prestwick.

444 IDF Squadron at 4 Wing was disbanded.

434 Strike/Recce Squadron was re-activated at 3 Wing.

422 IDF Squadron at 4 Wing disbanded and the ferry operation to the UK continued.

444 Strike/Recce Squadron reformed at 4 Wing.

With the disbandment of 61 AC&W Squadron, the CF-100 Squadrons, and the gradual decrease in the number of IDF Squadrons, several recurring exercise were discontinued. Those cancelled were Southern Bello, Street Patrol, Lane Control, Snow Shower, Twin Threat, Triple Threat, Scan Plan and Take Over.

1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

During this period TACAN was installed at the Air Division Wings and some of the T33 a/c were fitted with TACAN equipment.

Feb 63

A unit was formed at 3 Wing to carry out Operational Capability Trials on the CF104, and the operation is continuing.

1 Dec 62 to 31 may 63

1 Air Division squadrons continued to participate in "Squadron Exchanges" and "Polar Bear/Tall Timber" and 439 IDF Squadron continued with "Exercise Southern Express" fulfilling its role in the ACE Mobile Force.

CO-OP, and Aircent sponsored live flying exercise was held in February, and the remaining IDF Squadrons participated.

Regex 63, an AirSouth sponsored exercise, was held in April, and 1 Air Division provided 16 Sabre aircraft as targets.

Grand Slam II, a NATO Command Post Exercise, was held 24 Apr to 7 May. 1 Air Division participated only in the live flying portion of the exercise on 3 to 5 May.

Sardinia Salvo. On 6 May, the first CF-104s deployed to Decimomannu and commenced bombing practice at Capo Della Frasca range.

1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63

During the period 1 Dec 62 to 31 May 63, the Operations Centre was commanded by S/L RJ Millage who holds the position of Director of Operations Centre. This period was one of considerable change, involving disbandment of 61 AC&W Squadron, the four CF-100 AWF Squadrons and five of the F-86 IDF Squadrons. In addition, a major change over of officer rank personnel occurred resulting in the replacement of 5 F/Ls, 3 F/Os and the arrival of 2 S/Ls to the staff of the Operations Centre to replace officers who were transferred last summer. Furthermore, the introduction of the CF-104 Strike/Recce aircraft has given the Operations Centre new tasks associated with low level operations. This will continue to become an increasing commitment as the CF-104 Squadrons build up to full establishment.

With the demise of 61 AC&W Squadron on 31 Dec 62, it was necessary to provide alternative radar control for operational training requirements of 1 Air Division aircraft. Arrangements had previously been completed with the American and French GCI sites at Langerkopf and Drachenbronn respectively, to provide radar scope time for this purpose, with the Operations Centre acting as a liaison agency, responsible for issuing the necessary Frag Orders to 1 Air Div units. This arrangement has proved entirely successful.

The introduction of the Strike role for 1 Air Division has vested the Operations Centre with the responsibility of low level route approval, co-ordination of low level training flights, and acceptance of low level flight plans for onward transmission to MOD Bonn. In the interests of flight safety it was found necessary in Feb 63 to institute a low level flight planning and Notam section, within the Operations Centre organization.

In January 1963 the Operations Centre was given the responsibility for the operation of Line 1000, a reporting system designed to provide the Battle Commander with the necessary vital data for the conduct of a battle and disposal of forces under his command. The primary means of transmission is by telephone in plain language. In order to operation Line 1000 during exercises and wartime, the Operations Centre is augmented by 18 other ranks divided into three shifts and each commanded by a junior officer from the Operations Centre staff.

During the period of this report, the Operations Centre participated in the following major exercises:

1. CO-OP. 26 Feb 63. This is a large scale Aircent sponsored exercise, designed to practice Air Defence procedures.
2. GRAND SLAM 26 to 28 Apr 63. This is a combined CENTAG/4ATAF exercise to practice procedures of command control, communications, etc. During this exercise the Operations Centre was manned for Line 1000 reporting.

21 Dec 62

The training of 3 Wing Intelligence personnel was completed 21 Dec 62. These personnel returned to 3 Wing to prepare the new Wing Intelligence Section.

The training of 4 Wing Intelligence personnel commenced on 21 Jan 63.

The training of the first group of 4 Wing intelligence personnel was completed on 28 Feb 63. These personnel returned to 4 Wing to prepare the new Wing Intelligence Section.

As a result of information received during a visit by four officers to USAFE HQ on 7 Mar 63, the intelligence organization was re-designed to conform with the change in role from Air Defence to Strike/Recce. The second group of 4 Wing Intelligence began training on 18 Mar 63.

As a result of a familiarization course at 4ATAF (4-5 Apr 63) on Target Folder and Radar Prediction techniques employed by the USAF action was initiated for the adoption of these techniques by 3 and 4 Wings. The second group of 4 Wing intelligence personnel finished training on 26 Apr 63. They then returned to 4 Wing to aid in preparing the new Wing Intelligence Section.

Intelligence personnel from 1 and 2 Wings began training 20 May 63.

Personnel

Sgt. W Johanson SOS 5 Dec 62, and replaced by Sgt. GA Walker, TOS 15 Jan 63.

In the six-month period, SOPR disseminated a variety of news and information material to media located in Europe and Canada. The breakdown is as follows:

1. News and feature stories – 49 individual items
2. Radio Recordings – 116 news and feature items
3. Still Photographs – 1,609
4. TV features – 2

Seventeen members of the Press visited the Air Division during the period under review, and each of these was escorted and/or assisted by the SOPR staff in preparing information material. These 17 included representatives of daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV outlets.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, paid a four-hour visit to 4 Wing.

USAF Reserve Offices group toured 2 Wing.