604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
US Air Force, Europe
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.

(Source: History of 501st Tactical Control Wing, 1 July 1957-31 December 1957, APO 65, US Air Force, 25 February 1958)

A. Full name: 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron

B. Headquarters, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Freising, Germany, APO 207, US Air Force

C. The Commander and Staff are

	Grade		Name		Duty Title
	Lt Col		Raymond D. Gunn		Squadron Commander
	Major		Chester B. Lewis		Executive Officer
	Capt (Dr)		James W. Bledsco (*)		Medical Officer
	Capt		Lloyd R. Bridgford		Supply Activities Officer
	Capt		Edward P. Gumphrey		Adjutant
	Capt		James W. Hahn		Operations Officer
	Capt		Robert F. Jones		C & E Officer
	Capt (Chaplain)		Kenneth D. Sunny		Chaplain
	1st Lt		Stanley E. Hinsey		Security Officer
	CWO (W-2		Robert B. Mathieson		Personnel Supt

(*) Name not very legible on source document

D. Subordinate Installations

(1) Detachment #1, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Regensburg, Germany, APO 225, US Army. The Detachment Commander is Capt Frederick M. Tergan, USAF.

(2) Detachment #2, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Landshut, Germany, APO 225, US Army. The Detachment Commander is Capt James L. Leach, USAF.

(3) Detachment #3, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Deggendorf, Germany, APO 207, US Air Force.

(4) Detachment #4, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Irschenberg, Germany, APO 207, US Air Force.

(5) Detachment #5, 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is located at Bonstetten, Germany, APO 207, US Air Force.

E. The primary mission of the 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron is to operate and maintain a Control and Reporting Post in the Southern Sector, as defined by Tactical Control Wing, Provisional, Regulation 55-6, which (the squadron) reports to, and is under operational control of the 616th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Control and Reporting Center. To accomplish this mission, the 604th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron will:

(1) Operate one (1) Control and Reporting Post capable of:

(a) Locating and determining the direction of flight, height, strength and speed of all aircraft within normal range, reporting information, as required, to the CRC having operational control.

(b) Excercising corridor or ADIZ Control in accordance with current directives.

(c) Performing cross-tell.

(d) Providing navigational assistance to friendly aircraft.

(e) Performing Aircraft Recovery.

(f) Directing fighter aircraft for air intercept.

(g) Supervise and direct all Tactical Missions as ordered.

(2) Operate one (1) or more Target Director Posts (TDP) capable of directing such close support missions as ordered.

(3) Operate one (1) Reporting Post capable of reporting surveillance information in accordance with current directives.

(4) Operate VHF/DF and/or UHF/DF stations as required.

(5) Operate radio relay sites, terminals and other communications facilities necessary for the Tactical Control System.

(6) Maintain mobility of all units consistent with employed equipment.

(7) Perform normal administrative functions over all subordinate detachments.

(8) Inform the Commander, Tactical Control Wing, Provisional of the adequacy of personnel and equipment and the state of training of personnel to perform the mission by submission of required reports. No specific requirements, or lack thereof, relieves unit commander from responsibility of bringing unsatisfactory conditions to the attention of the Commander, Tactical Control Wing, Provisional promptly and effectively. 6

6. Hq, TACONWG, PROV Regulation 23-5, 15 July 1956.

MILITARY PERSONNEL

		AUTHORIZED	ASSIGNED
		OFF & WO Airmen Total	OFF & WO Airmen Total
	First of period	55 497 552	41 518 559
	Last of period	55 513 568	47 539 586

CIVILIAN PERSONNEL

		AUTHORIZED	ASSIGNED
		Tech Rep Ger Civ Total	Tech Rep Ger Civ Total
	First of period	4 27 31	4 27 31
	Last of period	4 27 31	4 31 35

(Webmaster note: I plan to present only certain excerpts from the Narrative Section - those sections that I feel are relavant to the topics being covered on this website)

OPERATIONS SECTION
The operational capability of Racecard was greatly increased due to the modification of the AN/MPS-7 (A). On 26 July 1957 the modification of the AN/MPS-7 was completed and the primary search radar became known as the AN/GPS-4. There were no other equipment changes and Racecard mission remained the same.

During the three (3) months of this reporting period Racecard completed 1018 actual intercepts, 1305 synthetic intercepts, 101 actual recoveries, 508 synthetic recoveries, 410 CRC handoffs and fifty-two (52) navigational assists; for a breakdown of Controller strength and training see Appendix 6. Racecard was credited with two (2) aircraft saves during this period. The following is a statement by 2nd Lt David P. Morse, the Duty Director responsible for both of the saves:

At 2230Z 27 September 1957, US Army 7390 attempted to obtain a radio fix thru Racecard DF Monitor facilities; estimating he was over Stuttgart. DF Monitor was unable to give him a fix. US Army 7390 transmitting 116.1 attempted to obtain radio contact with several control agencies. When it became obvious that the plane was making no contact Lt Morse transmitted on frequency 116.1 and obtained radio contact. At 2230Z the pilot of 7390 informed Racecard that he was very low on fuel, was lost and desired immediate letdown and an ID victor of 180, this was given. Lt Morse asked the pilot of 7390 if he had visual contact with another aircraft two miles aft of his position and he gave an affirmative answer and informed Lt Morse that the aircraft was US Army 945. A new heading of 150 was then given to 7390 after Straubing Field was designated to be the best emergency landing strip available. At 2241Z weapons contact with both aircraft was established. At this time Senior Director 1st Lt Walter W. Moore scrambled two (2) interceptor aircraft for the purpose of assisting and identification of the aircraft. At this time I requested pilot of 7390 to attempt to contact 945 by radio. Pilot of 7390 gave negative radio with 945 but informed me that he still had visual contact with 945. Undulate Zulu Alpha made identification pass at 2256Z under control of Lt Moore. Undulate Zulu Alpha reported identification as two (2) L-20's numbers 7390 and 945. At 2255Z 7390 was given a new heading of 260. I then asked pilot of 7390 if he had runway lights in sight and received an affirmative answer. At 2305Z 7390 QSY'ed to Straubing Control Tower on frequency 118.6 for immediate letdown. At 2306Z both aircraft 7390 and 945 were reported by Undulate Zulu Alpha that they were on the ground.

Training for aircraft directors AFSC 1641/1644 and radar operators AFSC 273X0 continues at an intesive rate. In addition to academic instruction and job perfomance, personnel gained valuable job knowledge thru numerous visits to adjacent radar sites, GCA units and tactical fighter organizations. At the present time a total of forty-three (43) airmen are on formal OJT for AFSC 27350.

(A) Webmaster note: The AN/MPS-7 search radar was a mobile version of the Bendix AN/FPS-3.

One of the highlights of this period was a recent visit to Racecard Operations by Major General G.P. Disosway, Commander, 12th Air Force. General Disosway was given a tour of Racecard's facilities and a briefing on our role in the Tactical Control System by Lt Col Gunn, Commander, 604th ACWRON. Other official visitors during this period were cross-trainees from adjacent radar sites, technical fighter organizations and Tactical Control Wing Inspectors.

On 20 August 1957 the Operations Site was opened for dependents of all military personnel assigned to this organization. Prior to the visit to the Operations Site, Lt Col Gunn, Commander, 604th ACWRON presented an unclassified briefing to the group on the organization of USAFE, and the organization and mission of 12th Air Force, Tactical Control Wing and the 604th ACWRON. At the site the visitors were escorted thru the surveillance room and given first hand instruction on the operational aspects of radar. The purpose of this indoctrination was to acquaint the airman's family with his duties and responsibilities.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this section as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	2	9	7	2	20

ENLISTED

	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	1	0	0	24	45	1	87 (sic)

COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS (C & E) SECTION

(1) Radio Maintenance

During a three-day Communications shut-sown, all operational vans at the site were moved back approximately twenty feet to comply with a Tactical Control Wing fire regulation. At the time the vans were moved all power cables and antenna cables were taken down and re-routed to improve general appearance of the site and also to speed up tearing down in case of maneuvers. During this period, the FM receiver circuits were moved to Racecard and installed in a van there. The reasons for moving the FM circuits were to improve circuit operation and reduce length of remote lines.

During the month of July, this section actively participated in a field exercise involving the 616th ACWRON. This section sent one (1) SCR-573 Radio Van and two (2) men at the beginning of the exercise and at a later date we were required to furnish a Radio Relay Van and three (3) operating personnel. Along with the men and Radio Vans many other pieces of communications gear was loaned to the 616th ACWRON.

One AN/TRC-32 Van was installed at the station to provide a back-up circuit for the Remote UHF racks and also the fixed frequency. At present work has not been completed, but should be within a week.

This section received several AN/TRC-35 sets and tests were made to determine the possibility of replacing obsolete AN/TRC-1 and AN/TRC-8 equipment. At present no circuit using the new equipment has been installed as a permanent circuit. Extensive tests were made between this station and Racecard 5 and between VHF and Dora 4 but none of the shots proved to be satisfactory.

Two separate OJT courses were given to personnel on OJT in this section. The courses were two (2) weeks of basic radio and two (2) weeks of FM Radio Equipment. Instructors for both of the courses were Technical Representatives sent here from Tactical Control Wing Headquarters.

(2) Wire Maintenance

During the past quarter, T/Sgt William S. Gillise (spelling?) assumed the position of NCOIC of Wire Maintenance. The lack of an experienced man in charge of the section was a definite handicap during the past year. The results of improved supervision are clearly visible.

The following were included in installations made by the Section during the last quarter:

a. 500 feet of five (5) pair rubber cables were installed between Racecard and VHF.

b. 100 feet of 6n (spelling?) messenger strand were put up at Racecard and all cables were placed in rings.

c. 150 feet of 6n (spelling?) message strand were installed at Detachment Two, and all cables were placed in rings.

d. 4,000 feet of spiral four (4) cable were installed between Racecard and VHF.

e. 1,560 feet of spiral four (4) cable were replaced between Vimy Kaserne and Racecard.

f. Sixty (60) feet poles were installed at Racecard and at Detachment Five for AN/CRD-6 (B) and AN/TRC-24 antennas respectively.

(B) Webmaster note: The AN/CRD-6 was a UHF Direction Finder.


(3) Radio Operations

During the last quarter Radio Operations had three (3) major changes. First, the high frequency radio nets were remoted from the AN/GRC-26A vans into an unused guard shack. The remote system was installed by local maintenance and operator personnel without the aid of a remote kit. After a few changes and tests, the remote system is working efficiently. Secondly, the K-53 van, which houses the VHF/DF SCR-575 equipment was relocated to a more suitable position in the site area. With this move, the UHF/DF CRD-6 equipment was installed in the K-53 van, with the antenna installed atop a 40-foot pole beside the K-53 van. This move was necessitated due to interference received from the new AN/GPS-4 radar set. And thirdly, the OJT program has been intensified with respect to the Electronic Counter-Measures field. Radio Operations personnel are receiving more actual anti-jamming training by using an HF receiver and frequency meter. ACW tone can be transmitted on any receiving frequency, selected from the band, which is actually jammed.

(4) Radar Maintenance

This quarter marked a decided improvement in the radar-coverage possibilities of this site when the AN/GPS-4 modification to the AN/MPS-7 was installed. This modification increased the effective range and height coverage by more than twenty-five (25) percent. In addition, the new set is a fine improvement with respect to ease of maintenance repair. Along with the modification a complete annual overhaul was performed on all of the original, unmodified components.

The AN/MPS-14 Height Finder received an annual overhaul during the month of August. Eight (8) General Electric specialists spent over 400 man-hours in a complete and careful overhaul. It is believed of the maintenance personnel on this site that these overhauls are excellent and well worth the money that they cost the Air Force.

In order to improve the supervision and control of the site Diesel Maintenance Section, the Radar Maintenance Section and NCO's have been put in charge of that section. It is felt that this will effect better coordination and cooperation since the Motor Pool is two (2) miles away and not always cognizant of the everyday problems of electrical power for site radar and other facilities. Also since only A/2C and A/3C are in this power section, closer supervision by NCO type personnel was needed.

A 12th Air Force and Tactical Control Wing Inspection team made an inspection and found few minor and no serious discrepancies.

(5) Personnel

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this section as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	2	2	0	1	5

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	1	4	19	25	63	32	3	147

1. History of Detachment #1 ("Mercury")

During the period July 1 thru 17 July Detachment #1 participated in Exercise "Gun Arm" in conjunction with Detachment #6 of the 616th ACWON. The Radar Set AN/MPS-11 (C) of Detachment #6 was deployed to Grafenwoehr along with power equipment, communications equipment and required personnel of both detachments. A six (6) man team from the General Electric Shop at Nancy, France overhauled the AN/MPS-11 of Detachment #1 during the week of 8 July thru 15 July. Simultaneously all the buildings at the radar site were repainted inside and outside. After completion of the overhaul, and an operational check of the AN/MPS-11, the detachment returned to normal operational status on the evening of 15 July.

(C) Webmaster note: The AN/MPS-11 Radar Set is a mobile, long-range search radar used as an early warning set.


The two (2) MB-5 Diesel Generator-Sets have been overhauled, with the diesel engines being replaced. Their performance since that time has been unreliable with most of the trouble being caused by unstable frequency of output power. This problem has not yet been eliminated. The alternate F-3 Generator-Set has been used extensively as a substitute for the MB-5 Generator-Sets and has proven reliabale except for occasional difficulty in starting.

AN/TRC-24 radio equipment was delivered to this detachment and is eventually intended to replace the AN/TRC-8 equipment in the FM communications net. The changeover should be completed during the month of October. Communications between Mercury and Racecard improved during the past quarter, but it is hoped that the new equipment will further reduce the occasional difficulties which have been encountered.

The detachment experienced several vehicle accidents and/or incidents during the summer months. Many individuals were required to attend an off-duty Traffic School conducted by the US Army in Raffler Kaserne. In addition all personnel attended a two hour training period at which accidents were reviewed, rules of safe driving outlined at length and training films on traffic safety shown. This training has had a noticeable effect in reducing the accident rate over the last few weeks, and is making detachment drivers safety-minded.

The detachment was inspected by a team from the Tactical Control Wing, Provisional on 24 September 1957. After completion of the inspection a briefing was held at which discrepancies noted by the team were outlined to the section supervisors. Some items have been corrected, but many are a matter of publications which have been ordered but not received.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this detachment as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	1	1	0	2	4

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	1	2	7	16	31	11	0	68

1. History of Detachment #2 ("Vaudeville")

The operations schedule for Detachment #2 for the quarter consisted of 168 scheduled missions of which 141 were Radar Bomb Scored; eighty-four (84) missions were cancelled due to weather, ground abort, negative contact or malfunctions after airborne.

Detachment #2 personnel transported Set 147, MSQ-1A from Ramstein to Freising, Germany on 16 July 1957. The set was operational at Vaudeville 24 August 1957.

The site area was increased fifty (50) feet on the south side to provide additional parking area for equipment and necessary building clearances for inflammable materials. The project was completed 18 September 1957.

Vaudeville participated in "Operation Counter Punch." The unit was in constant operation for three days with various stages of alerts being simulated. A complete review of alert procedures including mobilization, alert gear inspection and deployment tear down activties were executed during the operation.

Visitors to the unit during the quarter included the 7th Army Commanding General, General Clarke and a party of twelve (12) field grade officers on 9 September 1957. Lieutenant Colonel Murriellel, TACONWG Communications Officer, with Major Finch and CWO Browning, visited the site 27 September 1957 to familiarize himself with the TACONWG organization. Col Murriellel has just arrived in the theater from his last assignment in Iceland and is currently touring all TACONWG installations. TACONWG Operations Inspectors Major Dolph G. Franz and Captain Donald D. Brown inspected Vaudeville on 26 September 1957.

M/Sgt Lloyd Jones arrived at Vaudeville 15 September 1957 after being TDY to Detachment #5, 615th ACWRON S'Hertogenbosch, Netherlands enrolled in the AN/MSQ-1A Maintenance Ccourse.

One (1) Officer and sixteen (16) Airmen from Detachment #2 participated in the Tactical Control Wing, Provisional Review for Colonel Thomas S. Bond, Jr. in July.

An open house Family Day was given 20 August 1957. Guided tours of the site were given approximately one hundred fifty (150) people during the afternoon. After completing the tour, they were served refreshments of beer, soft drinks, coffee, ice cream and several kinds of cake, cookies and candy. Staff Officers from the 2nd Bn, 11th Armored Cavalry US Army were among the visitors to the tour of the site.

The following Detachment #2 personnel returned to the ZI for discharge or PCS during the quarter: T/Sgt William H. Pruett, S/Sgt Walter F. Aleshire, S/Sgt Gerald D. Boyd, A/1C Frank H. Boatright, A/1C Biaggio R. McPhee and A/1C Edward A. Zimmer. A/1C William C. Dedham was discharged in Germany. He remained with his parents in Munich to enroll in school this fall.

Detachment #2 welcomes the following new personnel: 2nd Lt Roger L. Conger, A/1C Gordon J. Ellersick, A/1C Charles E. Malloy, A/1C Luddy V. McMahon, Jr., A/2C Edward J. Landherr, A/3C Richard S. Culter, A/3C Edward F. Morris, A/3C Bryce L. Planty and A/3C Herold W. Washington.

Detachment #2 entered two (2) bowling teams in the ABC handicap league at Pinder Kaserne, Landshut, Germany. It is too early in the season to say how well the teams will place, but the team spirit is high at this point.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this detachment as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	2	1	1	1	5

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	3	2	9	9	8	8	0	39

1. History of Detachment #3 ("Racecard 3")

During the preceeding quarter, Detachment #3 continued to operate satisfactorily with few important changes. The loss of the service of the mobile library due to the curtailing of activity at Neubiberg Air Base was regretted. Efforts are being made to have the service resumed under the sponsoship of another library.

Detachment #3 plays an important role in the communications system between the US Army flying unit at Straubing, and Air Traffic Control authorities. The passing of flight plans to ATC was expedited through the installation of a radio circuit between the units. This allows the commercial telephone facilities to be eliminated and the Straubing Control Tower to have direct and instantaneous communications with operators on duty at Deggendorf. Equipment was supplied by the US Army.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this detachment as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	0	0	0	0	0

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	0	0	1	4	3	0	0	8

1. History of Detachment #4 ("Racecard 4")

Detachment #4 continued to operate satisfactorily during the quarter, receiving high praise from the Wing Inspectors on occasion of their last visit. There were no important changes or innovations in Detachment #4's operation. However, there were two major changes at the technical site. First, the US Army installed a high-frequency Radio Transmitting Van, type AN/GRC-26A. Secondly, the city of Irschenberg began construction of a new water reservoir to serve the city of Irschenberg. Land for the construction was released by the Real Estate Section of Headquarters Southern Area Command, with the approval of 604th ACWON. Neither installation effects the operation of the direction finding installations.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this detachment as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	0	0	0	0	0

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	0	0	0	3	3	0	0	6

1. History of Detachment #5 ("Racecard 5")

During the preceeding quarter, Detachment #5 again received a superior rating from the Wing Inspectors.

Operationally, this quarter was marked by the arrival of AN/TRC-36 equipment. It is expected that communications will be improved by the use of this equipment when it can be made operational. Due to its high frequency and the distance between terminals adequate contact has not yet been made.

The new equipment necessitated a rewiring of the commercial electrical facilities since it requires more power than for the AN/TRC-1 and AN/TRC-8. The work was promptly accomplished by the support unit at Augsburg.

The number of personnel by rank assigned to this detachment as of the end of this period were as follows:

OFFICERS

	Capt	1st Lt	2nd Lt	CWO	TOTAL
	0	0	0	0	0

ENLISTED

	MSGT	TSGT	SSGT	A/1C	A/2C	A/3C	A/B	TOTAL
	0	0	1	1	3	0	0	5

Controller Strength and Training

a. Controllers Authorized

	(1)	1616	One (1)
	(2)	1644	Twenty-one (21)

b. Controllers Assigned as of 30 September 1957:

	(1)	1644	Nine (9)
	(2)	1641	Eleven (11)

c. Controllers assigned at:

	(1)	CRP	Eighteen (18)
	(2)	RP	Zero (0)
	(3)	TDP	Three (3)

d. Quarterly training accomplished at the CRP:

				Jul	Aug	Sep	TOTAL
	(1)	Actual Day Intercepts		72	34	10	116
	(2)	Synthetic Day Intercepts		140	180	310	630
	(3)	Actual All Weather Intercepts		165	395	344	902
	(4)	Synthetic All Weather Intercepts		160	185	330	675
	(5)	Actual GCI-GCA Letdowns		91	22	60	173
	(6)	Synthetic GCI-GCA Letdowns		127	146	235	508
	(7)	CRC Hand-offs		62	189	159	410
	(8)	TDP Hand-offs		0	0	0	0
	(9)	Navigational Assists		11	25	16	52