1st Combat Evaluation Group

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1st Combat Evaluation Group
(initially "1CEG", later redesignated "1CEVG")
1st Combat Evaluation Group emblem
Active1961–1993?
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeEvaluation
RoleMilitary simulation, Covert operations
Part ofStrategic Air Command HQ
EngagementsBattle of Lima Site 85

The 1st Combat Evaluation Group was Strategic Air Command's military simulation, evaluation, and standardization unit. The Cold War unit was formed 1 August 1961 with the merger of the 3908th Strategic Standardization Group that provided command level standardization/evaluation of SAC aircrews and the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group that performed Radar Bomb Scoring of simulated strategic bombing missions. The 1CEVG included standardization/evaluation divisions, a Radar Bomb Scoring Division, and an Office of History.[1]

Standardization/Evaluation

In addition to standardization and evaluation for SAC bomber crews, 1CEVG "evaluated the RC-135 units at Eielson, Kadena, and Offutt [and oversaw] 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."[2]

Radar Bomb Scoring Division

For the preceding SAC RBS units' histories and RBS by Army, Navy, and non-SAC USAF units, see Radar Bomb Scoring § History.

The group's Radar Bomb Scoring Division oversaw the RBS detachments and included a maintenance office.[3] As with the preceding 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group at Carswell AFB, the 1CEG had 3 RBS squadrons that manned the 3 RBS Express trains, and the squadrons—with intermediate command of the RBS detachments—were discontinued in 1965.[4]

ESD 806L systems

The Electronic Systems Division 806L "Range Threat" systems for electronic warfare simulation were developed[5] for use by 1CEVG late in the Cold War such as 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. The solid-state US Dynamics AN/TPQ-43 Bomb Scoring Set (SEEK SCORE) was developed c. 1980 from the [who?]AN/TPB-1C Course Directing Central[6]

Detachment 15

Main article: Combat Skyspot

During the Vietnam War, 1CEVG Detachment 15 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base served as an "administrative link between [the Vietnam Operating Locations] and Headquarters 1st Combat Evaluation Group"[3] after Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Centrals were produced and deployed in 1965 for Combat Skyspot bomber operations by the Tactical Fighter, B-52 units, and other organizations (e.g., Seventh Air Force). Personnel from stateside 1CEVG units (e.g., after Bergstrom AFB training) manned[citation needed] South Vietnam operating locations at Bien Hoa, Binh Thuy, Pleiku, Thuy, Da Lat, Huế, Phu Bai, Son Tray, Da Nang, Quảng Trị, and Dong Ha. Thailand locations included Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani; and a Laos site for Skyspot was captured in the 1968 Battle of Lima Site 85.

On 5 June 1966 near Dong Ha Marine Combat Base close to the DMZ, six 1CEVG technicians were killed while conducting a preliminary site location survey[7] for OL-24.[citation needed]

1CEVG Detachment locations at 1989 reassignment to the ECRG[8] and at 1965–6 disbandonments
Det 10th RBS
(19 September 1966) 		11th RBS
(22 August 1966) 		12th RBS[9]
(25 July 1966) 		renumbered site 1990
1 CO: La Junta
Montreal, Canada
 CO: La Junta (1959–1995)[10]
2 MO: Joplin[11][12] SD: Hurley Butte SD: Hurley Butte (1960–1968) AZ: Holbrook AFS (1968–1993)[8]
3 NC: Charlotte GA: Statesboro
4 GA: Statesboro
5 FL: Tampa ID: Wilder (c. 1993)[13]
6 MI: Bay Shore
7
London, England
 ME: Ashland STR:[14] Blotner RBS Site (June 1963–1990)[15]
8 KY: Lexington (1993)[16] KY: Blue Grass Army Depot
9 OH: Springfield UT: St. George (from Winslow RBS in July 1966)[17]
10 NE: Hastings[18] (1992)[19] ND: Bismarck[20] KY: Blue Grass AD NE: Hastings
11 NY: Fort Drum NY: Fort Drum
12 MS: Laurel[21] NV: Babbitt
13 MS: Ellisville
14 ND: Bismarck (1961[20]-1986)[22]
15 [redeployment for 1965–1973 Vietnam Combat Skyspot]
   Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam
16 WY: Powell
17 MT: Havre[20] (1986-late 1990s)[23]
18 MT: Forsyth
19 ND: Dickinson
20 MT: Conrad[24]
21 SD: Belle Fourche

Operating locations during the Vietnam War

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 1st Radar Bomb Scoring Group on 9 June 1954
Activated on 10 August 1954[29]
Redesignated 1st Combat Evaluation Group on 1 August 1961[30]
Redesignated 1st Electronic Combat Range Group on 1 July 1989[30][31]
Redesignated 99th Electronic Combat Range Group on 1 July 1992
Redesignated 99th Range Group on 1 October 1995
Inactivated on 7 February 2000.

Assignments

Subordinate Units

  • 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
Unknown

References

  1. ^ author tbd (9 November 1983). Historical Summary: Radar Bomb Scoring, 1945–1983 (MobileRadar.org transcription) (Report). Office of History, 1st Combat Evaluation Group. Retrieved 21 May 2012. ' {{cite report}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ http://55wa.org/CORP_HQ/Newsletters/200611newsletter.pdf
  3. ^ a b http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=81556
  4. ^ [who?]. "Chapter II: Personnel". 1st Combat Evaluation Group (SAC): April–June 1966 (DocStoc.com image) (Report). Retrieved 14 July 2012. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |Volume= ignored (|volume= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) (partial transcription at 1stCombatEvaluationGroup.com)
  5. ^ http://www.tinker.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061220-053.pdf
  6. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/an-tpq-43.htm
  7. ^ 1CEVG member ([when?]). "Combat SkySpot". unit history. Tripod. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010. 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; {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b MacDonald, Ray (29 January 2002). "Detachment 2 Holbrook, AZ" (history anecdote). 1 CEVG/DET 2 History (A fluid Document). 1CEVGA.com. Retrieved 20 January 2013. 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 October 1, 1993 and Christmas was used for decommissioning the systems
  9. ^ http://www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com/Pictures%20of%20Dets/1960's%20RBS%20Squadrons%20and%20Dets/pages/12th-RBS-Squadrons-and-Dets_jpg.htm
  10. ^ "Townsfolk Hope to Shoot Down Military's Bombing-Range Plans". Deseret News. 21 February 1995. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  11. ^ http://1cevga.com/det2.htm
  12. ^ Kershaw, Marcia (8 December 1961). "Bomb Scoring Squadron To Be Moved To Mississippi Base in February". Joplin Globe (also reported in the Greenville Democrat Times. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. 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 of 1960, the first sonic boom occurred to make area residents even more conscious of the canopy of aircraft which has operated above this region {{cite news}}: External link in |newspaper= (help)
  13. ^ "Closure plan saddens radar base chief". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. 29 May 1993. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  14. ^ "Ashland group awarded Combat Skyspot trophy". Bangor Daily News. 22 March 1985. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  15. ^ http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bcx5Oy5tnlUJ:groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/11782+blotner+%22bomb+plot%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Blotner RBS Site, Maine http://coldwarrelics.com/louis_blotner_bomb_scoring
  16. ^ "Radar Bomb Scoring Site at Army Depot to Close". Lexington Herald-Leader. 29 May 1993. {{cite news}}: Text "accessdate-2012-07-09" ignored (help)
  17. ^ http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:u55bBOrVrLwJ:groups.yahoo.com/group/combatevaluationgroup/message/38535+site:groups.yahoo.com+Lynchburg+CEVG+radar&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
  18. ^ Spurlin, James. "[veteran listing 49816]". VetFriends.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  19. ^ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:United_States_Statutes_at_Large_Volume_106_Part_3.djvu/532
  20. ^ a b c "Combat Evaluation Group – A place for CEVG'ers and Range Rats to Meet". "Founded: 9 January 2000". {{cite web}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)    Citations in chronological order:
    • "Message 3279". Havre Trainig Site MT (Different place from the earlier Havre AFS air defense radar [site] ... Interior RBSS, atop Hurley Butte
    • "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). {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 107 (help)
    • "Message 12089". [Bismarck opened January 1961]
    • McAfee, Emerson R (6 August 2005). "Re: Greetings!". I was at Det. 8 Richmond from Jun 63 – Apr 72. I also made trips to Browns IL but we were the ones who moved it from Mauk GA to Browns so I was only at Browns for about a week {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
    • Ross, Don (30 August 2007). "Sqdns, Det 4 and Germany". Retrieved 9 July 2012. three RBS Express trains. One per sqdn
  21. ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vUgzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_xIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=589,679523&dq=bomb-scoring-unit&hl=en
  22. ^ "MSgt. Robert L. Dilley" (memorial webpage). Biography and Family of Robert L. Dilley. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  23. ^ Havre RBS opened in 1986, closed late 1990s http://www.rtbot.net/Havre_Air_Force_Station
  24. ^ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-103hr2401enr/html/BILLS-103hr2401enr.htm
  25. ^ "Skyspot Training". Combat-SkySpot.tripod.com. [when?]. Retrieved 23 Sep 2010. The Skyspot training program was called BUSY SKYSPOT… The initial training was accomplished at Detachment 7, on Matagorda Island. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ member ([when?]). "OL-23, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base". unit history. Combat SkySpot. Retrieved 23 September 2010. OL-23 (call sign LID)…ran many Arc Light strikes against targets in northern Laos. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "OL-26, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, Binh Thuy AB, RVN mid-1970". Combat-Skyspot.tripod.com. [when?]. Retrieved 23 September 2010. OL-26 (call sign GAP) was deeply involved with the secret bombing in Cambodia {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Andersen AFB "Arc Light Memorial" and the "Combat Skyspot Memorial"". unit history. Hawkins Web Sites. [when?]. Archived from the original on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010. The COMBAT SKYSPOT memorial at Andersen AFB Guam, September, 1999. The memorial consists of an AN/MSQ-77 (AN/TSQ-81) parabolic antenna poised at 45 degrees elevation. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Replaced the 3903d Radar Bomb Scoring Group 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group (retrieved unknown)
  30. ^ a b former member[who?]. "Detachment 2 Holbrook, AZ". unit history. 1CEVGA.com. Retrieved 2012-06. CEVG/DET 2 was moved from Wall, SD to Holbrook, AZ in 1968. (Holbrook Aerial View:) We were up and running around the middle of April. The site remained in Holbrook until 1990 when we became 99 ECRG/DET 2 … Except for the MPS-T1 all the systems from Holbrook, including the UHF radios and radio tower were shipped to Harrison, AR {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ http://www.strategic-air-command.com/patches/mystery-solved2.htm Strategic Air Command.com Patches (retrieved unknown)
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