Jump to content

1st Combat Evaluation Group: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,162,923 edits
 
(237 intermediate revisions by 87 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use American English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 1st Combat Evaluation Group
|unit_name= 1st Combat Evaluation Group
|image= [[Image:1st Combat Evaluation Group.png|200px]]
|image=1st Combat Evaluation Group.png
|image_size=
|caption= 1st Combat Evaluation Group emblem
|caption=1st Combat Evaluation Group insignia
|dates= [[1961]]-1993?
|dates= 1961–1989
|country= [[United States]]
|country= United States
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
|branch= [[United States Air Force]]
|branch= [[United States Air Force]]
|type=
|type=
|role= Standardization & [[evaluation]]
|role=
|size=
|size=
|command_structure=USAF Group
|command_structure=[[Strategic Air Command]] HQ
|current_commander=
|current_commander=
|garrison= [[Air Force Base]]
|garrison=[[Barksdale Air Force Base]], Louisiana
|ceremonial_chief=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|nickname=
|patron=
|patron=
|motto=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors=
|march=
|march=
|mascot=
|mascot=
|battles=
|battles= [[Battle of Lima Site 85]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
}}
}}


The '''1st Combat Evaluation Group''' (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) [[Military organization|unit]]. It was formed on 1 August 1961 to merge the [[3908th Strategic Standardization Group]] for SAC aircrew evaluation with the [[1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group]] that had originated from the [[263rd Army Air Force Base Unit]] which transferred from 15th AF to directly under [[Strategic Air Command]] {{circa|lk=no|1946}}.{{r|Summary}} The 1CEVG formed after SAC switched to low-level tactics to counter Soviet [[surface-to-air missile]]s ("Oil Burner" training routes in 1959)<ref>{{cite news|title=Jet Bombers To Descend Near Alto For Series of Mock Air Attacks |newspaper=The Cherokeean |location=[[Rusk, Texas|Rusk]], Texas |volume=114 |number=28 |date=28 December 1961 |url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth150424/m1/7/zoom/ |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.angelfire.com/ga3/galkie/jetplanes.html |title=Jetplanes |first= John |last=Galkiewicz |work=[[Angelfire]] |year=2015 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> and SAC had "developed a Radar Bomb Scoring field kit for use in [[Western Electric System 1393 Radar Course Directing Central|NIKE Systems]]" in early 1960 for scoring SAC training missions against US Hercules SAM sites.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ed-thelen.org/WesternElectricNikeHerculesBrown.pdf |title=Nike-Hercules Technical Data |work=Bell Telephone Laboratories |date=1 January 1965 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> The 1CEVG headquarters included an Office of History{{r|Summary}} and a "standardization and evaluation school" for command examiners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5185|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613191526/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5185|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2009|title=Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM B. DAVITTE|date=13 June 2009}}</ref>
The [[United States Air Force]]'s '''1st Combat Evaluation Group''' was an evaluation unit located at [[Barksdale AFB]], [[Louisiana]] .


==Standardization and evaluation==
==History==
The 1CEVG deputy commander for standardization and evaluation was responsible for performance assessment of SAC tanker and bomber flight crews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7640|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613221406/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7640|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2009|title=Biographies : LIEUTENANT GENERAL THAD A. WOLFE|date=13 June 2009}}</ref> 1CEVG also evaluated the [[RC-135]] units at Eielson, Kadena, and Offutt, the flight crew standardization of the [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]], the [[Lockheed DC-130|DC-130]] reconnaissance drone program, [[Sikorsky S-61R|CH-3 helicopter]] drone recovery program, [and] the [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird|SR-71]] program at [[Beale AFB]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://55wa.org/CORP_HQ/Newsletters/200611newsletter.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115320/http://55wa.org/CORP_HQ/Newsletters/200611newsletter.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2015 |title=Videmus Omnia |journal=55th STRAT RECON WING ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER |issue=November 2006 |accessdate=24 January 2015 }}</ref>
The 1st Combat Evaluation Group was activated on [[1 Aug]] [[1961]] at [[Barksdale AFB]], [[Louisiana]]. The 1CEVG brought under one commander the functions of two former [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) units, the [[3908th Strategic Standardization Group]] and the [[1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group]]. Since its inception, the group's mission has been to provide command level standardization/evaluation of [[Strategic Air Command|SAC]] aircrews, radar scoring of simulated bombing activity by [[Strategic Air Command|SAC]] aircraft and any contingency warfare support required by Headquarters [[Strategic Air Command]] and Headquarters [[United States Air Force]]. In [[1986]], the 1CEVG acquired an additional mission to help address the command's need to emphasize tactical employment of [[Strategic Air Command|SAC]] aircraft. The group continued to meet the changing needs of [[Strategic Air Command|SAC]] aircrews through standardization/ evaluation, radar bomb scoring, and now, tactics development/employment. The 1CEVG conducted worldwide operations using 13 detachments.


The '''Fairchild Trophy''' was [[Strategic Air Command]]'s top Bombardment Award, for which the Group administered flight checks and evaluated standardization and training activities.<ref name=AFHI1961>{{cite web |url= http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/461/029.xml |title=4137 Strategic Wing: Management Control Data |work=airforcehistoryindex.org |year=1961 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref>
==Official History==
''Source: [http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/ About us]


==Divisions==
'''RADAR BOMB SCORING HISTORICAL SUMMARY'''
1CEVG included a Command Instrument Flight Division<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7506 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040211061909/http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7506 |archivedate=11 February 2004 |title=Lt. Gen. Tome H. Walters Jr. |work=Air Force Link |date=1 October 2002 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> and an RBS Division with 3 squadrons.


==Radar Bomb Scoring Division==
'''RBS COMES OF AGE
The [[Radar Bomb Scoring Division]] controlled the group's [[Radar Bomb Scoring]] units. As with the preceding 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group at [[Carswell AFB]], the division had 3 Radar Bomb Scoring Squadrons (10th, 11th, [[12th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron|12th]]) with RBS detachments at fixed radar stations and at semi-mobile radar stations (Mobile Duty Locations (MDLs)). The MDLs were set up for SAC special missions, with their equipment, trailers, books, etc., stored at [[Barksdale AFB]] when not in use. Each squadron manned an [[RBS Express]] train, but the squadrons were inactivated in 1966 after [[Vietnam War]] deployments had begun. The three squadrons in 1959 had [[:Category:Strategic Air Command radar stations|29 AUTOTRACK sites]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Alexander |first=Sigmund |title=Bombing With the Beam |url=http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2006/June%202006/0606bombing.pdf |journal=Air Force Magazine |accessdate=14 June 2012 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> 1CEVG temporary duty personnel at [[Project Nike|Nike Defense Areas]] also scored mock SAC raids tracked by the Army.
'''
During [[World War II]], allied [[bomber]] crews soon discovered that [[radar]] was an indispensable aid for [[strategic bombing]]. The [[British]] employed their bomber forces primarily at night. Thus a means of sighting independent of visibility was required. The American forces also required such a system even though they bombed in daylight. The weather in Europe was so consistently bad during the winter months that [[strategic bombing]] could only be accomplished with a radar system. The British were the pioneers in developing such systems while the [[industrial complex]] of the [[United States of America|U.S.]] refined and improved their initial efforts.


RBS trains were inactivated later in the war after the 1968-9 [[Project 693]] discharging 1st term SAC airmen up to 11 months early. The division included a maintenance office.<ref>{{Cite web |format=biography webpage |title=Smith, Lowell Vetter, TSgt |url=http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=81556 |publisher=TogetherWeServed.com |accessdate=2013-08-26}}</ref> After the [[Vietnam War]] ended, the annual [[Combat Skyspot]] trophy was awarded for the outstanding RBS detachment (e.g., [[Louis Blotner Radar Bomb Scoring Site]] (Ashland Det 7) in 1985).<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 March 1985 |title=Ashland group awarded Combat Skyspot trophy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19850322&id=d9E8AAAAIBAJ&sjid=PC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3876,3023381 |newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]] |accessdate=2012-07-08}}</ref>
When [[victory in Europe]] seemed assured, military efforts focused in the Pacific. Here it became clear that training procedures for radar bombing were in their infant stages and severely lacking. To correct this, staff work began to develop a training system which would improve crew proficiency in radar bombing through better scoring techniques. Under the jurisdiction of the [[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Force]] [[Military tactics|Tactical]] Center, an experimental station was established in [[Jacksonville, Florida]] to test the training system. These tests proved the value of radar bomb scoring as a means of improving bombing training.
Soon thereafter, the [[Second Air Force]] took actions to establish a radar bomb scoring station at [[Kansas City, Missouri]], and later, a scoring detachment at [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. HQ Second Air Force originally had jurisdiction over this operation but as it grew in size and scope, it became clear that a formal organization was needed to control and manage the new training detachment. This need gave birth to the organization of which you are part now.


The squadrons initially used [[Matador Automatic Radar Control]] (AN/MSQ-1) and [[AN/MSQ-2]] automatic tracking radar/computer systems. The [[Reeves AN/MSQ-35 Bomb Scoring Central]] was developed for the division (mid-1963 testing was at the [[White Sands Missile Range]].)<ref name=Skinner86756>{{Cite web|last=Skinner |first=Don |date=31 July 2010 |title=Memories/1CEG |url=https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/combatevaluationgroup/conversations/topics/86756 |accessdate=2012-09-24 }}</ref> During the [[Vietnam War]], the [[Statesboro Bomb Scoring Site]] used a Soviet T2A for training crews to jam the signal. Three US bombing systems developed during the war ([[Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central|AN/MSQ-77]], [[Reeves AN/TSQ-81 Bomb Directing Central|AN/TSQ-81]], & [[Reeves AN/TSQ-96 Bomb Directing Central|AN/TSQ-96]]) were used post-war in the United States by the RBS Division, which replaced them with the {{circa|lk=no|1980}} solid-state US Dynamics [[AN/TPQ-43 Bomb Scoring Set]] (SEEK SCORE) developed from the [[AN/TPB-1C Course Directing Central]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/an-tpq-43.htm|title=AN/TPQ-43 SEEK SCORE|first=John|last=Pike|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>
On [[6 June]] [[1945]], the 206th Army Air Force Base Unit (RBS) ( 206th AAFBU), was activated at [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]] under the command of Colonel Robert W. Burns. He assumed operational control of the two [[SCR-584]] radar detachments located at Kansas City and Fort Worth, Texas. New detachments were also established at [[Denver]], [[Chicago]], [[Omaha]], [[Albuquerque]], and Los Angeles]]. On [[24 July]] [[1945]], the 206th was redesignated the 63rd AAFBU (RBS) and three weeks later was moved to [[Mitchell Field, New York]], and placed under the command of the [[Continental Air Command]]. On [[5 March]] [[1946]], the organization moved back to Colorado Springs and on 8 March of the same year was re-designated the 263rd AAFBU.


The [[Electronic Systems Division]] 806L "Range Threat" systems for [[electronic warfare]] simulation were developed for use by 1CEVG late in the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tinker.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061220-053.pdf |title=TECHNICAL MANUAL COMMUNICATIONS - ELECTRONICS (C - E) |accessdate=2012-10-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916235604/http://www.tinker.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061220-053.pdf |archivedate=16 September 2012 }}</ref> Such systems included the [[US Dynamics AN/MST-T1 Miniature-Multiple Threat Emitter Simulator]] (MUTES), for which the group evaluated the prototype in 1977 (operational in October 1978). Similarly, TLQ-11 jammer improvements were in 1978, and in 1979 1CEVG members completed a prototype study and testing of the new [[Threat Reaction Analysis Indicator System]] (TRAINS) for analyzing how aircrews and avionics reacted to ground-based threats.
With the activation of the [[8th Air Force]] the demand for radar bomb scoring training increased greatly. The 263rd was relieved from assignment to [[15th Air Force]] and assigned directly to Headquarters [[Strategic Air Command]]. The increase in RBS activity could be seen in the statistics for RBS runs over the years. During [[1947] a total of 2,499 runs were scored as compared to 880 runs scored in 1946. During [[1948]], 12,084 runs were scored. This number increased to 28,049, a tremendous gain over previous years and became a real measure of the effectiveness and popularity of this type training.


At the end of the [[Cold War]], most RBS detachments were closed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://corpsfuds.org/php/list.php?type=sites&find=exvqzcto&county= |title=Army Corps of Engineers, Formerly Used Defense Sites - List of Sites Sorted by |website=corpsfuds.org |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005192159/http://corpsfuds.org/php/list.php?type=sites&find=exvqzcto&county= |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The personnel and the assets of the RBS Division became the '''1st Electronic Combat Range Group''' on 1 July 1989 when the 1CEVG was split, and other 1CEVG organizations transferred to SAC headquarters.
On [[21 July]] [[1948]], the 263rd was redesiganted the 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron with an effective date of [[1 August]] 1948. On [[19 January]] [[1951]], this squadron was redesignated the 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group. At this point the Group commanded 12 detachments reporting to three radar bomb scoring squadrons.


===Stations===
'''THE KOREAN CONFLICT'''
{| class="wikitable" align="left"
| colspan="6" bgcolor="silver" align=center | '''1CEVG radar stations''' before/after squadron closures on 25 July (12th), 22 August (11th), & 19 September (10th) 1965 {{Incomplete list|date=January 2013}}
|-
! Det
! [https://archive.today/20130219214153/http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/Pictures%20of%20Dets/1960's%20RBS%20Squadrons%20and%20Dets/pages/10th-RBS-Squadron-and-Dets_jpg.htm 10th RBS]
! [https://archive.today/20130219210622/http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/Pictures%20of%20Dets/1960's%20RBS%20Squadrons%20and%20Dets/pages/11th-RBS-Squadron-and-Dets_jpg.htm 11th RBS]
! [https://archive.today/20130219210712/http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/Pictures%20of%20Dets/1960's%20RBS%20Squadrons%20and%20Dets/pages/12th-RBS-Squadrons-and-Dets_jpg.htm 12th RBS]
! 20 September 1966
! 31 June 1989
|-
| 1
| [[La Junta, Colorado|CO: La Junta]]
|
| {{align|right|Montreal, Canada}}
| colspan=2 |CO: La Junta (1959–1995)<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 February 1995 |title=Townsfolk Hope to Shoot Down Military's Bombing-Range Plans |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/405724/TOWNSFOLK-HOPE-TO-SHOOT-DOWN-MILITARYS-BOMBING-RANGE-PLANS.html?pg=all |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |accessdate=6 July 2012 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223449/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/405724/TOWNSFOLK-HOPE-TO-SHOOT-DOWN-MILITARYS-BOMBING-RANGE-PLANS.html?pg=all |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 2
| [[Joplin, Missouri|MO: Joplin]] (tbd-<!--25 January-->1969){{r|SAC1969}}<ref name=Kershaw>{{Cite news|last=Kershaw |first=Marcia |date=8 December 1961 |title=Bomb Scoring Squadron To Be Moved To Mississippi Base in February |archivedate=29 January 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130129213823/http://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe/1961-12-08/ |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe/1961-12-08/ |newspaper=[[Joplin Globe]] |accessdate=7 July 2012 |quote="...has been located on Oronogo Circle Hill at Joplin Bomb Plot since July of 1959 will be moved in February to [[Greenville Air Force Base (Mississippi)|Greenville air force]] Miss. In making the announcement the air force said the move is in line with a policy of transferring such units every two years. Detachment 2 was moved here from Oklahoma City under command of Major Eugene R. Butler with 35 men and officers and has grown to a strength of 72 Personnel ... have manned the First a train carrying complete radar bomb scoring equipment for the purpose of scoring SAC bomber at remote locations ... Major Butler was the first commander of the First RBS Express when it was put in operation during February ... men of the detachment now are aboard that train and that Second and Third RBS Express trains have been added to the program ... Joplin Bomb Plot ... Hustler jet bombers began training missions at supersonic speeds in an air corridor above this district in October 1960, the first sonic boom occurred to make area residents even more conscious of the canopy of aircraft which has operated above this region" |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| [[Interior Radar Bomb Scoring Site|SD: Badlands]]
|
| SD: Badlands (1960–1968)
| AZ: [[Holbrook Air Force Station|Holbrook AFS]] (<!--April -->1968–<!--September -->1993){{r|McDonald2}}
|-
| 3
|
|
| NC: [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]
| | [[Statesboro Bomb Scoring Site|GA: Statesboro]]
|
|-
| 4
|
| [[McClellan AFB Annex|CA:Sacramento]]<!-- (195x-1962)--><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/usaf/3903rbs.htm|title=3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group – USAF – Korean War Project Page 1|website=koreanwar.org|access-date=7 April 2016}}</ref>
| GA: Statesboro
| MO: Oronogo{{r|SAC1969}}
| {{Align|right|[[Bann, West Germany]]{{r|McDonald2}}<!-- "Courtroom RBS"{{r|Yahoo3279}}--> (<!--Fall -->1970{{r|Yahoo<!--38535-->}}-c. 1985) }}
|-
| 5
|
|
| FL: [[Tampa]]
| colspan=2 | [[Wilder, Idaho|ID: Wilder]] (1963–1994)<ref name=Spokesman>{{Cite news |date=29 May 1993 |title=Closure plan saddens radar base chief |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FF1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2_ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5501,6230827&dq=bomb-scoring&hl=en |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |location=Spokane, Washington |accessdate=10 July 2012}}</ref>
|-
| 6
|
|
|
| [[Bayshore Bomb Scoring Site|MI: Bayshore]] (<!--[assigned to Wurtsmith on] 20 Jul -->1963<!-- (actvd)-10 Jul 1973 (rsfrd to Kincheloe AFB, MI)-->{{r|Mueller}}-1985)
|-
| 7
|
|
| {{align|right|London, England}}
| colspan=2 |[[Louis Blotner Radar Bomb Scoring Site|ME: Ashland Strategic Training Range]] (<!--June -->1963–90)
|-
| 8
|
|
| [[Lexington, Kentucky|KY: Richmond]] <!--(1993)--><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 1993 |title=Radar Bomb Scoring Site at Army Depot to Close |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73E937B5D5B81&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref>
| [[Blue Grass Army Depot|KY: Richmond]]{{r|Yahoo}}
|
|-
| 9
|
| [[Winslow Radar Bomb Scoring Site|AZ: Winslow]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaf-nav-history.com/dr0711.pdf |title=PRESIDENT'S REPORT |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005013031/http://www.usaf-nav-history.com/dr0711.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| [[Lockbourne Air Force Base|OH: Springfield]]
| colspan=2 | [[Milford Radar Bomb Scoring Site|UT: St. George]] (July 1966 from Winslow-tbd)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://groups.yahoo.com/adultconf?dest=%2Fgroup%2Fcombatevaluationgroup%2Fauth%3Fdone%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fgroups.yahoo.com%252Fgroup%252Fcombatevaluationgroup%252Fmessage%252F38535|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130209185639/http://groups.yahoo.com/adultconf?dest=%2Fgroup%2Fcombatevaluationgroup%2Fauth%3Fdone%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fgroups.yahoo.com%252Fgroup%252Fcombatevaluationgroup%252Fmessage%252F38535|url-status=dead|title=Yahoo! Groups|date=9 February 2013|archivedate=9 February 2013}}</ref>
|-
| 10
| NE: [[Hastings Air Force Station|Hastings]]<ref name=Spurlin>{{Cite web |last=Spurlin |first=James |title=[veteran listing 49816<nowiki>]</nowiki> |url=http://www.vetfriends.com/veterandirectory/?member=49816 |publisher=VetFriends.com |accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref> <!--(1992)--><ref>[[Wikisource:Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 3.djvu/532]]</ref>
| [[Bismarck, North Dakota|ND: Bismarck]]{{r|Yahoo}}<!--messages 11831, 12089-->
| KY: Blue Grass [[Army depot|AD]]
| colspan=2 |NE: Hastings<ref>{{cite web |title=Document Detail for IRISNUM= 01074579 |url=http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/074/579.xml |website=airforcehistoryindex.org |accessdate=8 November 2018}}</ref>
|-
| 11
|
|
| NY: [[Watertown Bomb Plot|Fort Drum]]
| NY: Ft Drum
|
|-
| 12
|
|
| MS: Laurel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vUgzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_xIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=589,679523&dq=bomb-scoring-unit&hl=en|title=Supersonic training flights to route over this area|newspaper=Holmes County Herald|date=7 October 1965}}</ref>
| [[Hawthorne Bomb Plot|NV: Hawthorne]]
|
|-
| 13
|
|
|
| [[Ellisville, Mississippi|MS: Ellisville]]<!-- (tbd-1968){{r|SAC1969}}-->
|-
| 14
| Det 14,


Bismarck, ND
During the [[Korean Conflict]] RBS Detachments provided a service unique in military annals. Three detachments from the 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron were used for tactical air support of USAF aircraft in direct action against enemy forces. These detachment provided radar controlled ground direction to aircraft engaged in bombing targets at critical locations. Mobile vans and specially trained crews directed [[B-26]], [[C-47]], [[B-29]], [[F-80]], and [[F-84]] aircraft on [[all-weather mission]]s against enemy airfields, troop concentrations, key buildings, and other difficult targets.
|
|
| ND: Bismarck (<!--January -->1961{{r|Yahoo}}-<!--July -->1986)<ref name=Dilley>{{Cite web |title=MSgt. Robert L. Dilley |url=http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnoye/robert.html |format=memorial webpage |work=Biography and Family of Robert L. Dilley |publisher=[[Ancestry.com]] |accessdate=22 June 2012}}</ref>
|
|-
| 15
| colspan=3 align=center | <small>[most of the above deployed for Vietnam [[Combat Skyspot]]]</small>
| {{align|right|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Tan Son Nhut Air Base|Tan Son Nhut AB]], Vietnam}}
|
|-
| 16
| colspan=4 rowspan=6 align=right |
| [[Powell, Wyoming|WY: Powell]]
|-
| 17
| [[Havre, Montana|MT: Havre]]{{r|Yahoo}} (1986<ref>Havre RBS opened in 1986 http://www.rtbot.net/Havre_Air_Force_Station {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235756/http://www.rtbot.net/Havre_Air_Force_Station |date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>-{{circa|lk=no|1993}}){{r|Yahoo}}<!--Message 3285-->
|-
| 18
| [[Forsyth, Montana|MT: Forsyth]] ({{circa|lk=no|1986}}–{{circa|lk=no|1996}})<ref>{{cite web | title = To provide for the conveyance of the Radar Bomb Scoring Site, Forsyth, Montana. S 886 | publisher = Library of Congress | url = http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c104:S.886:l | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714192704/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c104:S.886:l | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 July 2012 | accessdate = 20 November 2009 | date = 1995-06-06 }}</ref>
|-
| 19
| [[Dickinson, North Dakota|ND: Dickinson]]
|-
| 20
| [[Conrad, Montana|MT: Conrad]]<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 |url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-103hr2401enr/html/BILLS-103hr2401enr.htm |publisher=US Government Publishing Office |accessdate=8 November 2018 |date=5 January 1993}}</ref>
|-
| 21
| [[Belle Fourche Bomb Plot|SD: Belle Fourche]]
|-
|}
{{-}}


==Detachments 7 & 50==
These units also worked closely with ground forces in [[Korea]] from their arrival the last week in August [[1950]] to their departure in early October [[1951]]. During the next three years the Group underwent various organizational shuffles, but none to match the activities on 10 August 1954.
{{For|the [[Vietnam War]] radar station used for CONUS testing of the [[Reeves AN/TSQ-81 Bomb Directing Central]]|Bryan Field}}
'''Detachment 7, 1 CEVG''' was a [[Matagorda Island Air Force Base]]{{r|tripod}}{{Verify source|AFB or the range?|date=August 2013}} radar site for the "Busy Skyspot" training program for automatic tracking radar crews to use the [[Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central]] before transferring to [[Vietnam War]] operating locations. A CONUS AN/MSQ-77 had initially been used at the [[Basin and Range Province|mountainous]] [[Nellis Air Force Range]] before being moved to the [[Gulf Coast of the United States]], then the detachment moved to [[Bergstrom Air Force Base]] and was redesignated Det 50 for long range tracking of bombers<ref name=tripod>{{cite web|url=http://combat-skyspot.tripod.com/BusySkyspot.htm |title=Skyspot Training |first=Mike |last=Steeves |work=Combat Skyspot |year=2015 |accessdate=24 January 2015 |quote=The Skyspot training program was called BUSY SKYSPOT... The initial training was accomplished at Detachment 7, on Matagorda Island. |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132711/http://combat-skyspot.tripod.com/BusySkyspot.htm |archivedate=28 January 2015 }}</ref> on 2 [[Matagorda Island Air Force Range]] routes (low- and high-level).{{r|EjectionHistory}} On 29 February 1968, on the low-level Matagorda route a [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] crashed into the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref name=EjectionHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/aircraft_by_type/b52_stratofortress.htm |title=B-52 Stratofortress |first=Mike |last=McGrath |work=Project Get Out & Walk |year=2014 |accessdate=24 January 2015 |quote=A few pieces of foam and Frank Salavaria's summer flight jacket washed up on the beach near Corpus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214105456/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/aircraft_by_type/b52_stratofortress.htm |archive-date=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Detachment 15==
'''A NEW NAME, SAME MISSION'''
{{For|the [[Vietnam War]] operating locations in [[South Vietnam]], Thailand (3), & Laos (1) for which Det 15 provided maintenance support (e.g., [[Laos Site 85|the Laos Site was captured]] in the 1968 [[Battle of Lima Site 85|Battle of LS85]])|Combat Skyspot}}


'''Detachment 15, 1CEVG''' at the [[Vietnam War]]'s [[Tan Son Nhut Air Base]] served as an "administrative link between [the operating locations] and Headquarters 1st Combat Evaluation Group"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=81556 |title=TSgt Lowell Vetter Smith |work=Together We Served |year=2015 |accessdate=24 January 2015 }}</ref> after [[Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central]]s were produced and deployed in 1965 for [[Combat Skyspot]] bomber operations by tactical fighter, B-52, and other units. On 5 June 1966 near [[Đông Hà Combat Base]] close to the [[Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone|DMZ]], six 1CEVG [[technician]]s were killed while conducting a preliminary site location survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://combat-skyspot.tripod.com/CSS.htm |title=Combat Skyspot Overview |first=Mike |last=Steeves |work=Combat Skyspot |year=2015 |accessdate=24 January 2015 |quote=Six men ...killed on 5 June 1966: Guerin, SSgt John P; James, A1C Rufus L; Mansfield, TSgt Bruce E; Marks, TSgt Antone P; Olds, SSgt Jerry; Vasquez, SSgt Ephraim |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101231201/http://combat-skyspot.tripod.com/CSS.htm |archivedate=1 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On [[10 August]] [[1945]], the 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group, its three squadrons, and all detachments were discontinued. Simultaneously, the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group was activated. This new organization absorbed all personnel and equipment of the 3903rd. By March [[1956]] the Group consisted of 28 detachments. The numbers of missions scored increased as the size of the organization grew. For example, in 1956 the Group recordeed 140,919 attacks against sites. Of these some 127,070 were successfully scored.


==Lineage==
The next several years brought few organizational or other changes to the Group. The personnel assigned continued to provide the Command sophisticated and effective radar bomb scoring training.
:Constituted as the 3903d Radar Bomb Scoring Group from the 3903d RBS Squadron (at Carswell AFB beginning 24 Feb 48){{r|Mueller}} and [[Colorado Springs Tent Camp|predecessor 263rd AAF Base Unit]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/usaf/3903rbs.htm |title=3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group |work=USAF - Korean War Project |year=2015 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref>
: Redesignated '''1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group''' on 10 August 1954
: Merged with the 3958 Opl Evaluation & Tng Gp for the B-58 on 15 Mar 60{{r|Mueller}}
: Redesignated '''1st Combat Evaluation Group''' at Carswell AFB prior to 21 July 1961 for the merger of the Barksdale AFB [[3908th Strategic Standardization Group]]{{r|Mueller}} and 1st RBS Group{{r|McDonald2}}
: Redesignated '''1st Electronic Combat Range Group''' on 1 July 1989{{r|McDonald2}} from the assets and personnel of the [[Radar Bomb Scoring Division]], 1CEVG


===Squadrons===
On 1 August [[1961]], a major organizational change came to fruition when the Department of the Air Force activated the 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. With this action the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group and the 3908th Strategic Evaluation Group were merged into one organization. This new organization then had the dual mission of providing radar bomb scoring services as well as standardization and evaluation services. This is the organization of which you are a part today.
* 10th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 19 September 1966
* 11th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 22 August 1966, [[March AFB]], California
* 12th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 25 July 1966, [[Naval Air Station Albany#Turner Air Force Base (1947-66)|Turner AFB]], Georgia
* 13th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – unknown, Ellisville, MS


==Commanders==
'''VIETNAM'''
* Col. Joseph D. White, 1 Aug 1961 – 20 May 1964
* Col. Melvin R. Schultz, 20 May 1964 – 16 May 1966
* {{nowrap|Col. Jacob A. Hutchison, 16 May 1966 – 1 Feb 1970}}
* Col. Willie H. Sontag, 1 Feb 1970 – 1 Jul 1971
* Col. Alvin E. Prothero, 1 Jul 1971 – 25 Apr 1975
* Col. Edward F. Gehrke, 25 Apr 1975 – 27 Oct 1978
* {{nowrap|Col. Robert F. Ramsey, 27 Oct 1978 – 1 Dec 1979}}
* Col. Larry S. DeVall, 1 Dec 1979 - 16 Sept 1981
* Col. John R. Rader, 16 Sept 1981 - 28 Jul 1983
* Col. Billy F. Price, 28 Jul 1983 – 15 Jan 1988
* Col. John C. Dalton, 16 Jan 1988 – 23 Jan 1989
* Col. Joseph M. Hudson, Jr., 23 Jan 1989 – ?


==References==
With the advent of [[B-52]] [[bombing]] in [[Southeast Asia]] in [[1965]], it soon became apparent that a requisite number of suitable [[offset aiming point]]s were not available. [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert McNamara]] stated:
{{Reflist |refs=
We are faced with very, very heavy jungle in certain portions of South Vietnam, jungle so heavily that is impossible to find a good aiming point in it. We know some of these jungles are used by the [[Vietcong]] for base camps and for storage areas…. You can imagine that without an ability to find an aiming point, There is only one way of bombing it and that is with a random pattern…With the force we had (B-52s) trained as it was in pattern bombing…the military commanders felt-and I believe this was a proper use of the weapons-that these strikes would destroy certain of the Viet Cong base areas, and, as a matter of fact, they did…There is no other way of doing it. We propose to continue.
In October 1965 the Air Force began further modification of its B-52 force to increase the internal loading from 27 to 84 of the 500 or 750-pound bombs. In March 1966 the modified bombs went into operation. Concurrent with the deployment of the modified B-52, the Air Force installed Combat SkySpot; a [[Ground Directed Bombing|ground directed bombing]] system, in South Vietnam. The system employed existing (1CEVG) mobile ground radar control units and permitted Military Assistance Commander Vietnam (MACV) considerably more latitude because the selection of targets would no longer depend on nearby, prominent geographical features; they had only to be within range of Combat SkySpot equipment.


<ref name=McDonald2>{{cite web |title=Detachment 2 Holbrook, AZ |url=http://1cevga.com/det2.htm |last=McDonald |first=Steven Ray |date=29 January 2002 |work=1 CEVG/DET 2 History (A fluid Document) |publisher=1CEVGA.com |accessdate=24 January 2015 |quote=1 CEVG/Det. 2 was moved from Wall, SD to Holbrook, AZ in 1968. We were up and running around the middle of April. ...1990 when we became 99 ECRG/DET 2 . The last RBS/ECM sortie was on or about September 13, 1993. The last ECM-only sortie was on or about September 30, 1993. A B1-B from [[Dyess Air Force Base|Dyes]] (not positive) flew the last RBS/ECM mission. A C-130 from Hulburt Field flew the last ECM mission. The period of time between 1 October 1993 and Christmas was used for decommissioning the systems.}}</ref>
Using radar, 1CEVG personnel would direct the bombers along a designated route to a bomb drop point, providing in route corrected headings and speed as needed. Then, at the proper moment, the pilot received a signal to release his bombs. Combat SkySpot not only provided flexibility in targeting, but its accuracy soon surpassed that of the previously used radar synchronous bombing. In time, practically all combat areas of Southeast Asia were within range of one or more of the growing number of Combat SkySpot facilities. Six 1CEVG personnel lost their lives during the construction phase when they were ambushed and killed near Dong Ha Air Base while conducting a site location survey. Within 1CEVG headquarters today a memorial room has been established to honor the memory of those lost in combat.


<ref name=Summary>{{cite web |first=Terry L. |last=Horstead |date=9 November 1983 |title=Historical Summary: Radar Bomb Scoring, 1945–1983 |url=http://www.mobileradar.org/Documents/hist_sum_rad_bom_scrg.pdf |publisher=Office of History, 1st Combat Evaluation Group |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref>
The original name for Combat SkySpot was simply SkySpot in [[1965]]. In October of that year the name was changed to Combat Proof. In January [[1967]] the name was again changed to its final designation, Combat SkySpot.


<ref name=Mueller>{{Cite report |last=Mueller |year=1982 |chapter=Wurtsmith Air Force Base |title=Air Force Bases as of 1982 |page=613}}</ref>
On [[15 August]] [[1973]], with the cessation of bombing in Southeast Asia, the last Combat SkySpot sortie was flown. In the seven years and six months of Combat SkySpot operations, 1CEVG personnel manned ground radar sites on a 24-hour per day basis in such locations as Bien Hoa, Binh Thuy, Pleiku, Thuy, Pleiku, Dalat, Hue, Phu Bai, Son Tray, Da Nang, Quang Tri, and Dong Ha South Vietnam. In Thailand, the locations included, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, and Ubon.


<ref name=SAC1969>{{Cite report |volume=Historical Summary 116 |title=History of the Strategic Air Command: 1969 |url=http://minotb52ufo.com/archives/strategic_air_command/sac_hist_fy69_vol1_ch1.pdf |publisher=Office of Command History |accessdate=26 August 2013 |quote=SAC had 64 detachments at the end of FY-69, an increase of nine, offset by a reduction of three. One discontinued was Detachment 4, 1st Combat Evaluation Group (CEG), Oronogo, Missouri. It was the second detachment of the 1CEG to be inactivated in 1968.<sup>100</sup> ... Scoring activity stopped on 15 December, the equipment was moved,<sup>105</sup> and the detachment inactivated on 25 January.<sup>106</sup> The other two reductions were Detachments 3 and 19, 3902nd Support Squadron, at Altus and Homestead AFBs, where Manpower Evaluation Teams were no longer required. ... 100. Det 13, Ellisville, Miss, discontinued 2 Jun 68; Hist SAC, Jan–Jun 68, pp. 14–17.}}</ref>
The Combat SkySpot mission was not limited to all-weather weapons delivery however. These sites also directed Commando Vault missions, the deployment of helicopter landing sites zones by releasing 10,000 and [[15,000-pound bomb]]s from [[C-130]] aircraft in support of ground forces. Further, Combat SkySpot sites aided in search and rescue missions and provided navigation fixes for a variety of aircraft.


<!--
During the 90-month period of service in Southeast Asia, Combat SkySpot crews directed 75 percent of the [[B-52]] strikes in that conflict. Under Combat SkySpot over 300,000 USAF, Navy and Marine sorties were controlled. Additionally, Combat SkySpot members were responsible for more than 150,000 tactical air strikes.


==Unused ref==
In August [[1966]], the Third Air Division gave the 1st Combat Evaluation Group the Top Three Award for their outstanding contribution to the war effort through the Combat SkySpot program.
<ref name=VolumeI>{{Cite report |last={{Who|date=July 2012}}|date= |chapter=Chapter II: Personnel |title=1st Combat Evaluation Group (SAC): April–June 1966 |volume=Volume I |url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/111974612/1CEVG-Combat-Skyspot-History |format=DocStoc.com image |publisher= |accessdate=14 July 2012 }} ([http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/1CEVG_skyspot_history.PDF partial transcription at 1stCombatEvaluationGroup.com)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606171407/http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/1CEVG_skyspot_history.PDF |date=6 June 2013 }}</ref>
-->


<ref name=Yahoo>{{Cite web |title=Combat Evaluation Group – A place for CEVG'ers and Range Rats to Meet |url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup |format=Yahoo newsgroup |date= 9 January 2000 }}&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Citations in chronological order''':
In [[1967]], a [[top secret]] U.S. Air Force operation code named "[[PONY EXPRESS]]" was undertaken. The operation was to airlift 150 tons of equipment by helicopters to LIMA SITE-85. The equipment was to upgrade the Site's original navigation equipment with a more elaborate system using the latest radar. This equipment would enable American aircraft to bomb North Vietnam and Laos at night, and in all types of weather.
*{{Cite web |author=Scott |title=Message 3276 |url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/3276 |quote=Havre {{sic|Trainig}} Site MT (Different place from the earlier [[Havre Air Force Station|Havre AFS]] air defense radar site) ... Interior RBSS, atop Hurley Butte ... The family housing unit was on the western edge of Wall. It was actually a small mobile home park. There were a few Air Force trailers (two of which ... There were 16 or 18 trailers I had the last one SE end along the fence ... I am also looking for Msgt. Mike Nelson }}
Lima Site-85 was destroyed in March of [[1968]] with eleven U.S. Air Force personnel still listed as [[MIA]]/[[Laos]].
*{{Cite web|year=2004|title=Message 11831|url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/11831|quote=Bismarck from October 1964 to January 1967. ... When I first got there it was Det. 10, 11th RBS Sq. and was later changed to Det. 14, 1CEG. I also served on RBS Express No. 2 at Joseph City, AZ (Nov–Dec 1965) and Ree Heights, SD (July–Aug 1966) and RBS Express No. 3 at Rion, SC (Nov–Dec 1966).}}

*{{Cite web|title=Message 12089|url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/12089}} [Bismarck opened January 1961]
'''TODAY'''
*{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Don |date=30 August 2007 |title=Sqdns, Det 4 and Germany |url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/38535 |accessdate=9 July 2012 |quote=''three RBS Express trains. One per sqdn'' }}</ref>

}}
The following years saw few dramatic changes within the Group. The focus of the Group turned to the development and acquisition of the new and improved radar bomb scoring equipment. In [[1977]], for example, the Multiple Threat Emitter System (MUTES) prototype underwent initial operational evaluation. Efforts to improve TLQ-11 jamming capabilities were underway the following year. In October 1978 the MUTES was officially welcomed into the SAC training program.

Into [[1979]] Group members continued to work on new equipment with the completion of a prototype study and the advent of conceptual tests for a new radar receiver, the Threat Reaction Analysis Indicator System (TRAINS). This new radar receiver would analyze how the crews and their equipment reacted to ground-based threats such as air-to-air missile systems. The development of SEEK SCORE, an improved radar scoring system, was also underway.

Into the [[1980]]’s the personnel of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group continued to provide the best radar bomb scoring services in existence. This, combined with the development and acquisition of new and sophisticated equipment, plays a major role in the readiness of the Strategic Air Command and the security of the United States.
1CEVG became known as the 99 Electronic Combat Range Group (99ECRG) around 1990 - which was subsequently disbanded in 1995.

==[[Major Command]]==
*[[Strategic Air Command]] ([[1 Aug]] [[1961]]-)

==[[Air Division]]== None - reported directly to DCO, SAC Hq., Offutt AFB, Neb.
*[[1st Strategic Aerospace Division]] (???-???)

==Re-designations==
* Radar Calibration Det (218 NY) Myitkyina, Burma WWII
* Fighter Control Squadron Philippines WWII
* Radar Bomb Scoring Group (SAC) Carswell AFB, Texas 10 August 1954 - 21 July 1961; CO: Lt Col (then Colonel) Otis Parks [http://www.mobileradar.org/unit_1_75.html#skyspot]
* 1st Combat Evaluation Group ([[1 Aug]] [[1961]]-????)
*99 Electronic Combat Range Group (99ECRG) around 1990 - which was subsequently disbanded in 1995 [http://www.strategic-air-command.com/patches/mystery-solved2.htm]

==Subordinate Units==
*Det 1 - LaJunta, [[Colorado]]
*Det 2 - [[Holbrook AFS]], [[Arizona]]
*Det 3 - Statesboro [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
*Det 4 - Bahn, Germany
*Det 4 - Harrison, [[Arkansas]]
*Det 5 - Wilder, [[Idaho]]
*Det 6 - Bayshore, [[Michigan]]
*Det 7 - Ashland, [[Maine]]
*Det 8 - Richmond, [[Kentucky]]
*Det 9 - Osan AB, ROK
*Det 10 - Hastings, Nebraska
*Det 11 - Watertown, [[New York]]
*Det 12 - Hawthorne, [[Nevada]]
*Det 14 - Bismarck, [[North Dakota]]
*Det 16 - Powell, [[Wyoming]]
*Det 17 - Havre, [[Montana]]
*Det 18 - Forsyth, [[Montana]]
*Det 19 - Dickinson, [[North Dakota]]
*Det 20 - Conrad, [[Montana]]
*Det 21 - Belle Fourche, [[South Dakota]]
*Det 24 - [[Andersen AFB]], [[Guam]]
*Det 25 - [[Ubon RTAFB]], [[Thailand]]

==Locations==
*[[Barksdale AFB]], [[Louisiana]] ([[1 Aug]] [[1961]]-????)

==References==
* Strategic Air Command. (1988) SAC Unit Mission and History Summaries. Omaha, Nebraska: HQ SAC.


[[Category:Groups of the United States Air Force|001]]
==External links==
[[Category:1961 establishments in the United States]]
*[http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com 1st Combat Evaluation Group]
[[Category:1989 disestablishments in the United States]]
* [http://www.zianet.com/jpage/airforce/ Joe's USAF Blue Book]
[[Category:Groups of the United States Air Force|Combat Evaluation 1]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1989]]
[[Category:Units and formations of Strategic Air Command]]

Latest revision as of 01:58, 15 June 2024

1st Combat Evaluation Group
1st Combat Evaluation Group insignia
Active1961–1989
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleStandardization & evaluation
Part ofStrategic Air Command HQ
Garrison/HQBarksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
EngagementsBattle of Lima Site 85

The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (initially "1CEG", later "1CEVG") was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit. It was formed on 1 August 1961 to merge the 3908th Strategic Standardization Group for SAC aircrew evaluation with the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group that had originated from the 263rd Army Air Force Base Unit which transferred from 15th AF to directly under Strategic Air Command c. 1946.[1] The 1CEVG formed after SAC switched to low-level tactics to counter Soviet surface-to-air missiles ("Oil Burner" training routes in 1959)[2][3] and SAC had "developed a Radar Bomb Scoring field kit for use in NIKE Systems" in early 1960 for scoring SAC training missions against US Hercules SAM sites.[4] The 1CEVG headquarters included an Office of History[1] and a "standardization and evaluation school" for command examiners.[5]

Standardization and evaluation[edit]

The 1CEVG deputy commander for standardization and evaluation was responsible for performance assessment of SAC tanker and bomber flight crews.[6] 1CEVG also evaluated the RC-135 units at Eielson, Kadena, and Offutt, the flight crew standardization of the U-2, the DC-130 reconnaissance drone program, CH-3 helicopter drone recovery program, [and] the SR-71 program at Beale AFB.[7]

The Fairchild Trophy was Strategic Air Command's top Bombardment Award, for which the Group administered flight checks and evaluated standardization and training activities.[8]

Divisions[edit]

1CEVG included a Command Instrument Flight Division[9] and an RBS Division with 3 squadrons.

Radar Bomb Scoring Division[edit]

The Radar Bomb Scoring Division controlled the group's Radar Bomb Scoring units. As with the preceding 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group at Carswell AFB, the division had 3 Radar Bomb Scoring Squadrons (10th, 11th, 12th) with RBS detachments at fixed radar stations and at semi-mobile radar stations (Mobile Duty Locations (MDLs)). The MDLs were set up for SAC special missions, with their equipment, trailers, books, etc., stored at Barksdale AFB when not in use. Each squadron manned an RBS Express train, but the squadrons were inactivated in 1966 after Vietnam War deployments had begun. The three squadrons in 1959 had 29 AUTOTRACK sites.[10] 1CEVG temporary duty personnel at Nike Defense Areas also scored mock SAC raids tracked by the Army.

RBS trains were inactivated later in the war after the 1968-9 Project 693 discharging 1st term SAC airmen up to 11 months early. The division included a maintenance office.[11] After the Vietnam War ended, the annual Combat Skyspot trophy was awarded for the outstanding RBS detachment (e.g., Louis Blotner Radar Bomb Scoring Site (Ashland Det 7) in 1985).[12]

The squadrons initially used Matador Automatic Radar Control (AN/MSQ-1) and AN/MSQ-2 automatic tracking radar/computer systems. The Reeves AN/MSQ-35 Bomb Scoring Central was developed for the division (mid-1963 testing was at the White Sands Missile Range.)[13] During the Vietnam War, the Statesboro Bomb Scoring Site used a Soviet T2A for training crews to jam the signal. Three US bombing systems developed during the war (AN/MSQ-77, AN/TSQ-81, & AN/TSQ-96) were used post-war in the United States by the RBS Division, which replaced them with the c. 1980 solid-state US Dynamics AN/TPQ-43 Bomb Scoring Set (SEEK SCORE) developed from the AN/TPB-1C Course Directing Central.[14]

The Electronic Systems Division 806L "Range Threat" systems for electronic warfare simulation were developed for use by 1CEVG late in the Cold War.[15] Such systems included the US Dynamics AN/MST-T1 Miniature-Multiple Threat Emitter Simulator (MUTES), for which the group evaluated the prototype in 1977 (operational in October 1978). Similarly, TLQ-11 jammer improvements were in 1978, and in 1979 1CEVG members completed a prototype study and testing of the new Threat Reaction Analysis Indicator System (TRAINS) for analyzing how aircrews and avionics reacted to ground-based threats.

At the end of the Cold War, most RBS detachments were closed.[16] The personnel and the assets of the RBS Division became the 1st Electronic Combat Range Group on 1 July 1989 when the 1CEVG was split, and other 1CEVG organizations transferred to SAC headquarters.

Stations[edit]

1CEVG radar stations before/after squadron closures on 25 July (12th), 22 August (11th), & 19 September (10th) 1965
Det 10th RBS 11th RBS 12th RBS 20 September 1966 31 June 1989
1 CO: La Junta
Montreal, Canada
 CO: La Junta (1959–1995)[17]
2 MO: Joplin (tbd-1969)[18][19] SD: Badlands SD: Badlands (1960–1968) AZ: Holbrook AFS (1968–1993)[20]
3 NC: Charlotte GA: Statesboro
4 CA:Sacramento[21] GA: Statesboro MO: Oronogo[18]
5 FL: Tampa ID: Wilder (1963–1994)[23]
6 MI: Bayshore (1963[24]-1985)
7
London, England
 ME: Ashland Strategic Training Range (1963–90)
8 KY: Richmond [25] KY: Richmond[22]
9 AZ: Winslow[26] OH: Springfield UT: St. George (July 1966 from Winslow-tbd)[27]
10 NE: Hastings[28] [29] ND: Bismarck[22] KY: Blue Grass AD NE: Hastings[30]
11 NY: Fort Drum NY: Ft Drum
12 MS: Laurel[31] NV: Hawthorne
13 MS: Ellisville
14 Det 14,

Bismarck, ND

ND: Bismarck (1961[22]-1986)[32]
15 [most of the above deployed for Vietnam Combat Skyspot]
   Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam
16 WY: Powell
17 MT: Havre[22] (1986[33]-c. 1993)[22]
18 MT: Forsyth (c. 1986–c. 1996)[34]
19 ND: Dickinson
20 MT: Conrad[35]
21 SD: Belle Fourche

Detachments 7 & 50[edit]

For the Vietnam War radar station used for CONUS testing of the Reeves AN/TSQ-81 Bomb Directing Central, see Bryan Field.

Detachment 7, 1 CEVG was a Matagorda Island Air Force Base[36][verification needed] radar site for the "Busy Skyspot" training program for automatic tracking radar crews to use the Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central before transferring to Vietnam War operating locations. A CONUS AN/MSQ-77 had initially been used at the mountainous Nellis Air Force Range before being moved to the Gulf Coast of the United States, then the detachment moved to Bergstrom Air Force Base and was redesignated Det 50 for long range tracking of bombers[36] on 2 Matagorda Island Air Force Range routes (low- and high-level).[37] On 29 February 1968, on the low-level Matagorda route a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.[37]

Detachment 15[edit]

For the Vietnam War operating locations in South Vietnam, Thailand (3), & Laos (1) for which Det 15 provided maintenance support (e.g., the Laos Site was captured in the 1968 Battle of LS85), see Combat Skyspot.

Detachment 15, 1CEVG at the Vietnam War's Tan Son Nhut Air Base served as an "administrative link between [the operating locations] and Headquarters 1st Combat Evaluation Group"[38] after Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Centrals were produced and deployed in 1965 for Combat Skyspot bomber operations by tactical fighter, B-52, and other units. On 5 June 1966 near Đông Hà Combat Base close to the DMZ, six 1CEVG technicians were killed while conducting a preliminary site location survey.[39]

Lineage[edit]

Constituted as the 3903d Radar Bomb Scoring Group from the 3903d RBS Squadron (at Carswell AFB beginning 24 Feb 48)[24] and predecessor 263rd AAF Base Unit[40]
Redesignated 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group on 10 August 1954
Merged with the 3958 Opl Evaluation & Tng Gp for the B-58 on 15 Mar 60[24]
Redesignated 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Carswell AFB prior to 21 July 1961 for the merger of the Barksdale AFB 3908th Strategic Standardization Group[24] and 1st RBS Group[20]
Redesignated 1st Electronic Combat Range Group on 1 July 1989[20] from the assets and personnel of the Radar Bomb Scoring Division, 1CEVG

Squadrons[edit]

  • 10th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 19 September 1966
  • 11th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 22 August 1966, March AFB, California
  • 12th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – 25 July 1966, Turner AFB, Georgia
  • 13th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron, 10 August 1954 – unknown, Ellisville, MS

Commanders[edit]

  • Col. Joseph D. White, 1 Aug 1961 – 20 May 1964
  • Col. Melvin R. Schultz, 20 May 1964 – 16 May 1966
  • Col. Jacob A. Hutchison, 16 May 1966 – 1 Feb 1970
  • Col. Willie H. Sontag, 1 Feb 1970 – 1 Jul 1971
  • Col. Alvin E. Prothero, 1 Jul 1971 – 25 Apr 1975
  • Col. Edward F. Gehrke, 25 Apr 1975 – 27 Oct 1978
  • Col. Robert F. Ramsey, 27 Oct 1978 – 1 Dec 1979
  • Col. Larry S. DeVall, 1 Dec 1979 - 16 Sept 1981
  • Col. John R. Rader, 16 Sept 1981 - 28 Jul 1983
  • Col. Billy F. Price, 28 Jul 1983 – 15 Jan 1988
  • Col. John C. Dalton, 16 Jan 1988 – 23 Jan 1989
  • Col. Joseph M. Hudson, Jr., 23 Jan 1989 – ?

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Horstead, Terry L. (9 November 1983). "Historical Summary: Radar Bomb Scoring, 1945–1983" (PDF). Office of History, 1st Combat Evaluation Group. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Jet Bombers To Descend Near Alto For Series of Mock Air Attacks". The Cherokeean. Vol. 114, no. 28. Rusk, Texas. 28 December 1961. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  3. ^ Galkiewicz, John (2015). "Jetplanes". Angelfire. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Nike-Hercules Technical Data" (PDF). Bell Telephone Laboratories. 1 January 1965. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM B. DAVITTE". 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009.
  6. ^ "Biographies : LIEUTENANT GENERAL THAD A. WOLFE". 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Videmus Omnia" (PDF). 55th STRAT RECON WING ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER (November 2006). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  8. ^ "4137 Strategic Wing: Management Control Data". airforcehistoryindex.org. 1961. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Lt. Gen. Tome H. Walters Jr". Air Force Link. 1 October 2002. Archived from the original on 11 February 2004. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  10. ^ Alexander, Sigmund. "Bombing With the Beam" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Smith, Lowell Vetter, TSgt" (biography webpage). TogetherWeServed.com. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  12. ^ "Ashland group awarded Combat Skyspot trophy". Bangor Daily News. 22 March 1985. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  13. ^ Skinner, Don (31 July 2010). "Memories/1CEG". Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  14. ^ Pike, John. "AN/TPQ-43 SEEK SCORE". www.globalsecurity.org.
  15. ^ "TECHNICAL MANUAL COMMUNICATIONS - ELECTRONICS (C - E)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  16. ^ "Army Corps of Engineers, Formerly Used Defense Sites - List of Sites Sorted by". corpsfuds.org. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Townsfolk Hope to Shoot Down Military's Bombing-Range Plans". Deseret News. 21 February 1995. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  18. ^ a b History of the Strategic Air Command: 1969 (PDF) (Report). Vol. Historical Summary 116. Office of Command History. Retrieved 26 August 2013. SAC had 64 detachments at the end of FY-69, an increase of nine, offset by a reduction of three. One discontinued was Detachment 4, 1st Combat Evaluation Group (CEG), Oronogo, Missouri. It was the second detachment of the 1CEG to be inactivated in 1968.100 ... Scoring activity stopped on 15 December, the equipment was moved,105 and the detachment inactivated on 25 January.106 The other two reductions were Detachments 3 and 19, 3902nd Support Squadron, at Altus and Homestead AFBs, where Manpower Evaluation Teams were no longer required. ... 100. Det 13, Ellisville, Miss, discontinued 2 Jun 68; Hist SAC, Jan–Jun 68, pp. 14–17.
  19. ^ Kershaw, Marcia (8 December 1961). "Bomb Scoring Squadron To Be Moved To Mississippi Base in February". Joplin Globe. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2012. ...has been located on Oronogo Circle Hill at Joplin Bomb Plot since July of 1959 will be moved in February to Greenville air force Miss. In making the announcement the air force said the move is in line with a policy of transferring such units every two years. Detachment 2 was moved here from Oklahoma City under command of Major Eugene R. Butler with 35 men and officers and has grown to a strength of 72 Personnel ... have manned the First a train carrying complete radar bomb scoring equipment for the purpose of scoring SAC bomber at remote locations ... Major Butler was the first commander of the First RBS Express when it was put in operation during February ... men of the detachment now are aboard that train and that Second and Third RBS Express trains have been added to the program ... Joplin Bomb Plot ... Hustler jet bombers began training missions at supersonic speeds in an air corridor above this district in October 1960, the first sonic boom occurred to make area residents even more conscious of the canopy of aircraft which has operated above this region
  20. ^ a b c d McDonald, Steven Ray (29 January 2002). "Detachment 2 Holbrook, AZ". 1 CEVG/DET 2 History (A fluid Document). 1CEVGA.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 1 CEVG/Det. 2 was moved from Wall, SD to Holbrook, AZ in 1968. We were up and running around the middle of April. ...1990 when we became 99 ECRG/DET 2 . The last RBS/ECM sortie was on or about September 13, 1993. The last ECM-only sortie was on or about September 30, 1993. A B1-B from Dyes (not positive) flew the last RBS/ECM mission. A C-130 from Hulburt Field flew the last ECM mission. The period of time between 1 October 1993 and Christmas was used for decommissioning the systems.
  21. ^ "3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group – USAF – Korean War Project Page 1". koreanwar.org. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Combat Evaluation Group – A place for CEVG'ers and Range Rats to Meet" (Yahoo newsgroup). 9 January 2000.    Citations in chronological order:
    • Scott. "Message 3276". Havre Trainig [sic] Site MT (Different place from the earlier Havre AFS air defense radar site) ... Interior RBSS, atop Hurley Butte ... The family housing unit was on the western edge of Wall. It was actually a small mobile home park. There were a few Air Force trailers (two of which ... There were 16 or 18 trailers I had the last one SE end along the fence ... I am also looking for Msgt. Mike Nelson
    • "Message 11831". 2004. Bismarck from October 1964 to January 1967. ... When I first got there it was Det. 10, 11th RBS Sq. and was later changed to Det. 14, 1CEG. I also served on RBS Express No. 2 at Joseph City, AZ (Nov–Dec 1965) and Ree Heights, SD (July–Aug 1966) and RBS Express No. 3 at Rion, SC (Nov–Dec 1966).
    • "Message 12089". [Bismarck opened January 1961]
    • Ross, Don (30 August 2007). "Sqdns, Det 4 and Germany". Retrieved 9 July 2012. three RBS Express trains. One per sqdn
  23. ^ "Closure plan saddens radar base chief". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. 29 May 1993. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  24. ^ a b c d Mueller (1982). "Wurtsmith Air Force Base". Air Force Bases as of 1982 (Report). p. 613.
  25. ^ "Radar Bomb Scoring Site at Army Depot to Close". Lexington Herald-Leader. 29 May 1993. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  26. ^ "PRESIDENT'S REPORT" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  27. ^ "Yahoo! Groups". 9 February 2013. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013.
  28. ^ Spurlin, James. "[veteran listing 49816]". VetFriends.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  29. ^ Wikisource:Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 3.djvu/532
  30. ^ "Document Detail for IRISNUM= 01074579". airforcehistoryindex.org. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  31. ^ "Supersonic training flights to route over this area". Holmes County Herald. 7 October 1965.
  32. ^ "MSgt. Robert L. Dilley" (memorial webpage). Biography and Family of Robert L. Dilley. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  33. ^ Havre RBS opened in 1986 http://www.rtbot.net/Havre_Air_Force_Station Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ "To provide for the conveyance of the Radar Bomb Scoring Site, Forsyth, Montana. S 886". Library of Congress. 6 June 1995. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  35. ^ "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994". US Government Publishing Office. 5 January 1993. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  36. ^ a b Steeves, Mike (2015). "Skyspot Training". Combat Skyspot. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015. The Skyspot training program was called BUSY SKYSPOT... The initial training was accomplished at Detachment 7, on Matagorda Island.
  37. ^ a b McGrath, Mike (2014). "B-52 Stratofortress". Project Get Out & Walk. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015. A few pieces of foam and Frank Salavaria's summer flight jacket washed up on the beach near Corpus
  38. ^ "TSgt Lowell Vetter Smith". Together We Served. 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  39. ^ Steeves, Mike (2015). "Combat Skyspot Overview". Combat Skyspot. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015. Six men ...killed on 5 June 1966: Guerin, SSgt John P; James, A1C Rufus L; Mansfield, TSgt Bruce E; Marks, TSgt Antone P; Olds, SSgt Jerry; Vasquez, SSgt Ephraim
  40. ^ "3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group". USAF - Korean War Project. 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1st_Combat_Evaluation_Group&oldid=1229131798"