86th Air Division (Defense)
17th Air Force
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| 1960 (1 July - 31 December) |
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(Source: Historical Data Report (1 Jul - 31 Dec 60), 86th Air Division (Defense)) |
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86th AD (Def) MISSION |
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REG 25-1 |
17AF REGULATION
No. 25-1 |
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HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH AIR FORCE
APO 12, US Forces
10 November 1960 |
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Organization - Field
MISSION OF THE 86TH AIR DIVISION (DEFENSE)
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This regulation states the mission and responsibilities of the 86th Air Division (Defense) and its command relationship with Seventeenth Air Force.
1. Mission:
 a. To prepare for and conduct air defensive operations as directed.
b. To provide, operate, and maintain a ground electronic control environment in support of offensive and defensive air operations as directed.
2. Command Relationship:
a. The 86th Air Division (Defense) is under the command of the Commander, Seventeenth Air Force.
b. As a NATO committed unit, the 86th Air Division (Defense) is under operational control of SACEUR as follows:
(1) In peacetime, SACEUR, through the Commander, 4ATAF, will exercise such operational control as is necessary for the planning and the preparation for his wartime mission.
b. In wartime, SACEUR, through the Commander, 4ATAF, will exercise such operational control as is necessary to accomplish his mission.
3. Responsibilities: The Commander, 86th Air Division (Defense), will:
a. Furnish administrative and logistical support to organizations as directed.
b. Develop and maintain a 24-hour per day air defense capability in the Central European Area.
c. Exercise operational control of Army surface-to-air missiles.
d. Disseminate air defense warnings for civil and military agencies, as directed.
e. Furnish intelligence information, collected through electronic means, to Headquarters Seventeenth Air Force COC.
f. Provide, as directed, mobile reserve control and reporting center facilities for redeployment to alternate locations.
g. Train personnel, to include non-US NATO personnel, as directed.
h. Provide area surveillance and control for target director posts, close support and reconnaissance mission aircraft.
i. Provide a back-up control system for TM 61-C missiles assigned to the 38th Tactical Missile Wing.
j. Maintain an AN/MSQ-1A controller and maintenance school for USAFE. |
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(PAGE 2) |
REG 25-1
k. Maintain a flying safety and ground safety program for assigned units.
l. Provide, operate, and maintain a ground-based guidance system, as directed, to insure an offensive all-weather strike capability for tactical fighter aircraft. Develop, exercise, and maintain a 24-hour mobility capability for this system.
m. Provide in-flight surveillance for cross-country aircraft, as directed, and a GCI-GCA hand-off capability for cross-country aircraft in an emergency.
n. Determine maintenance and repair, minor construction, utility support and real estate requirements for subordinate units in coordination with host bases and higher headquarters. Develop facilities support programs to insure established Beneficial Occupancy Dates of new equipment or weapons systems are met.
o. Develop a capability for implementing USAFE war plans and alert orders.
p. Exercise special and summary court-martial jurisdiction and furnish legal services as required by directives of higher headquarters.
q. Insure the security of his forces and installations.
r. Comply with other policies and directives in furtherance of the USAFE mission. |
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H. R. SPICER
Major General, USAF
Commander |
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SECTOR OPERATIONS CENTER |
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NAME AND LOCATION |
Sector Operations Center
86th Air Division (Defense)
APO 12,US Forces
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MISSION |
Supervises the activities of all designated air defense control facilities located within the sector. Control and operational employment of all assigned or allocated air defense weapons. Designation of air defense conditions, air defense warnings, and alert status for all air defense weapons and weapon systems assigned or allocated to the sector. Develops policies and procedures for effective utilization of all forces allocated to the sector. |
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PERSONNEL |
Total: 10 (9 officers and 1 airman). |
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NARRATIVE |
On 6 July 1960 Colonel George R. Doerr was appointed Director of the Sector Operations Center, replacing Colonel Francis J. Vetort who moved to another assignment.
The Sector Operations Center along with its related agencies, the Control and Reporting Center and the Missile Control Center, occupied new improved quarters on 15 July 1960. This building provides all agencies with more space, better facilities and considerably improved working conditions.
The Sector Operations Center participated in several air defense exercises during this period. Two of these, Exercise CO-OP in August and FLASH BACK in September, were major NATO exercises. The 4ATAF also continued to schedule its Roulette Exercises on a regular basis. The only non-NATO exercise was PORK CHOP, a combined offensive-defensive project that occurred in October. The experience gained from those defense exercises was the basis for refinements on the air surveillance and reporting activities, providing the Battle Commander more complete current information in which to base his tactical decisions.
During August, three German Air Force officers were attached to the Sector Operations Center for training and familiarization. Canadian Officers are present whenever NATO exercises are scheduled and French crews are now on duty throughout the day thus giving the SOC an international flavor in keeping with our NATO commitment.
As the focal point of air defense activities in the Central European Area the SOC receives many visitors including high ranking US and NATO officials. Among the visitors during this period were the Commander-in-Chief, USAFE; Commanding General, Seventh Army; and the Commander, Turkish Air Force.
Forces available to the SOC were changed somewhat in November with the inactivation of two fighter interceptor squadrons and the re-equipping of a third with F-102 aircraft. At the end of the period three interceptor squadrons were assigned, all F-102 equipped.
No change was made in US Army air defense forces available to the SOC; however, a low altitude air defense missile, HAWK, was programmed to begin its deployment to this theatre as the year ended.
A major change in command structure was made in November when the 86th Air Division (Defense) was activated. A Tactical Control Wing and a Fighter Interceptor Wing were combined to form the Division. The Sector Operations Center was in turn relieved from assignment to the Seventeenth Air Force Combat Operations Center and assigned to the 86th Air Division (Defense) with no change in mission.
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