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In late 1962, I was assigned to the 551st Electronic Maintenance Squadron at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, MA. I worked on the Search Radar, Instrument Landing system, Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) Loran equipment, and a new system, ALRI, which stands for AIrborne Long Range Input... It consisted of a Doppler Radar component, an inertial Reference System, and an Analog Computer...(Remember, this was the early 1960's), but there was a whole host of Early warning Radar for 360 degree radar coverage... Our RC-121's operated 24/7/365 from the northern tip of the East Coast to the GUlf of Mexico...
Here is a short video summary of our mission:
U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force between 1954 and 1978 operated EC-121s in three wings at maximum employment, and three independent squadrons as its operations wound down. Until the Vietnam War, the primary mission of EC-121s was to provide complementary early warning radar coverage to the Pacific and Atlantic barriers by flying orbits 300 miles offshore of the continental United States in what was termed "Contiguous Barriers". Their coverage orbits overlapped those of land-based early warning radars.
An EC-121D of the 552nd AEWCW at McClellan AFB.
Initial deployment of EC-121Cs began with the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, based at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Operational on 21 December 1954, the 551st AEWCW subsequently upgraded to EC-121D and later EC-121H Warning Stars. Its Pacific counterpart was the 552nd AEWCW, based at McClellan Air Force Base, California, which became operational on 1 July 1955. After the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the 552nd AEWCW also had administrative control of the 966th AEWCS, based at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida. The 966th had a dual mission: monitoring activity in Cuban airspace and flying Gold Digger missions (continuous tracks of U-2 surveillance
Full Screen, Sound Up... and enjoy!
Here is a short video summary of our mission:
U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force between 1954 and 1978 operated EC-121s in three wings at maximum employment, and three independent squadrons as its operations wound down. Until the Vietnam War, the primary mission of EC-121s was to provide complementary early warning radar coverage to the Pacific and Atlantic barriers by flying orbits 300 miles offshore of the continental United States in what was termed "Contiguous Barriers". Their coverage orbits overlapped those of land-based early warning radars.
An EC-121D of the 552nd AEWCW at McClellan AFB.
Initial deployment of EC-121Cs began with the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, based at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Operational on 21 December 1954, the 551st AEWCW subsequently upgraded to EC-121D and later EC-121H Warning Stars. Its Pacific counterpart was the 552nd AEWCW, based at McClellan Air Force Base, California, which became operational on 1 July 1955. After the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the 552nd AEWCW also had administrative control of the 966th AEWCS, based at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida. The 966th had a dual mission: monitoring activity in Cuban airspace and flying Gold Digger missions (continuous tracks of U-2 surveillance
Full Screen, Sound Up... and enjoy!
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Spectacular, Sgt (Join to see)! I enjoyed the video!
I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and we lived about a mile or so north of NAS Jacksonville. We used to see the Navy VW-4 “Hurricane Hunters” [WC-121N (WV-3) variant] all the time! What was really great was to watch them prepare to land. It seemed like all the aircraft, including the 121s, came right over our house, lowering their landing gear as they passed over on their downwind leg. It was great! This would have been ‘62-‘68 timeframe.
SFC William Farrell
I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and we lived about a mile or so north of NAS Jacksonville. We used to see the Navy VW-4 “Hurricane Hunters” [WC-121N (WV-3) variant] all the time! What was really great was to watch them prepare to land. It seemed like all the aircraft, including the 121s, came right over our house, lowering their landing gear as they passed over on their downwind leg. It was great! This would have been ‘62-‘68 timeframe.
SFC William Farrell
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Sgt (Join to see)
Very pleased that you enjoyed this piece of history LTC Stephen C. !!! My USAF Training prepared me to do important work on these birds to help protect our Country... I am proud to have served!!!
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The Connies were ga great and versatile air-frame. Sounded like George C Scott narrating that clip.
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Excellent video that brings back memories, had many friends who flew EC-121s. When you were at Otis I was still in high school but can remeber seeing your aircraft coming and going over Cape Cod Bay from our home in Eastham. Years later when I was in FB-111s at Pease AFB we flew a pilot proficiency mission that we filed with Boston Center as the Nantucket Sleigh Ride. It consisted of flying direct to Otis, 30 minutes of touch and gos there, then to Martha's Vineyard for several low approaches and on to Nantucket for more low approaches, profile ended with going to a restricted area over the Atlantic to do stalls and falls then back home.
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Sgt (Join to see)
Awesome Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen !!! So pleased that you enjoyed this little piece of History, that I was a direct part of... I loved my service and the job I was trained for and assigned to! Have a great day, John!
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