General AC&W
Information
No matter the system, computerized or manual, all air
defense systems have the same general attributes. These were the duty
sections.
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Surveillance - The surveillance section was
the unsung heroes of the air defense system. For the most part these were
the least experienced operators. But it was just as important as the weapons
section or the battle staff. If the surveillance operator or the Air Surveillance
Officer (ASO)/Air Surveillance Supervisor (ASS) missed a track (aircraft)
there would be a distinct possibility the track would not be identified let
alone engaged. During normal operations the operators would spend one hour
on position then one off or on another position.
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Movements & Identification - The M&I
Section has 2 minutes from the time the track is established to identify
it. They were in constant coordination with Air Movements Information Service
(AMIS), FAA Facilities, or other control agencies. When established the track
is Pending. If not identified within the specified time the track becomes
unknown. Other classifications were:
-
Classifications and plotting board colors
included:
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F - Friendly (White)
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I - Intecptor (white
-
S- Special - The President, etc.
(Yellow)
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B - Bee (SAC aircraft on a training mission)
(Yellow)
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Y - Yoke (SAC aircraft on Emergency War Order)
(Yellow)
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K - Faker (Friendly aircraft acting as a hostile)
(Red)
-
K - Neutralized Faker (Faker which had been
simulated as killed) (Green)
-
H - Hostile (Red)
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Weapons - The Weapons Section has several duties.
The Senior Director has authority and responsibility for the air picture
and weapon assignment. The Weapons Assignment Officer further assigns weapons
employment and monitors flight safety. The Weapons Controller has control
of the weapon system to the intercept point where the aircrew has the ability
to take over control to complete the engagement.