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.

• 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.
• 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:
  • F - Friendly (White)
  • I - Intecptor (white
  • S- Special - The President, etc. (Yellow)
  • B - Bee (SAC aircraft on a training mission) (Yellow)
  • Y - Yoke (SAC aircraft on Emergency War Order) (Yellow)
  • K - Faker (Friendly aircraft acting as a hostile) (Red)
  • K - Neutralized Faker (Faker which had been simulated as killed) (Green)
  • H - Hostile (Red)

• 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.

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