The White Falcon - 27.09.1962, Side 4

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WHITE FALCON
Thursday, September 27, 1962 Thursday, September 27, 1962
WHITE FALCON
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First 102 s Arrive Keflavik
REFUELING — An F-102 Delta Dagger is refueled on the flight line at Keflavik. F-102s have now replaced the F-89 Scorpions, seen at right,
as Iceland’s major defense weapon system.
They came from all corner of
the United States. They came
from the dusty air fields of the
southwest and the perimeter sta-
tions of the north and many points
between. The were airmen of
many skills. They were he pro-
fessional nucleus of the now sup-
ersonic 57th Fighter Interceptor
Squadron. Their objective in Ice-
land was common to all; to carry
on the traditions and mission of
the 57th “Black Knights.”
The F-102’s of the 57th assum-
ed the air defense of Iceland at
4 p.m., September 22, 1962, ap-
proximately 14 days after touch-
down in our host country. The
more specific mission of this
squadron will be “to intercept,
identify and destroy hostile air-
craft under all weather conditions,
day or night. To provide, within
its capability, aircraft and per-
sonnel for tactical air support of
naval ground forces as required
by the Commander, Air Forces
Iceland.”
The northern migration of the
large grey fighters began at Olm-
stead Air Force Base in Pennsyl-
vania. The pilots convened at 01m-
stead upon assignment from com-
bat ready Air Defense Command
squadrons throughout the United
States. The scenic route of flight
took the single engine intercep-
tors over Newfoundland, parts <»f
the Northwest Territories, the
barren ice cap of Greenland and
finally “home” to Keflavik. Vet-
•eran F-102 jockey, Capt. “Ted”
Knoggs lead the first flight of
four over the Naval Station late
in the afternoon of September 8.
The following flights got their
first welcome view of Iceland on
September 9 after crossing the
Straits of Denmark under the
comforting “radar eye of the
Navy “Willie Victor.”
The 57th under the command
TRAINING — SSgt. Robert D. Chamberlain (left) instructs A3C
Charles S. Swartz on the emergency hydraulic system of the F-102.
Sergeant Chamberlain is an instructor of Training Team #1, Field
Training Detachment 737-A, 3321st Field Training Squadron out of
Amarillo AFB, Texas. Airman Swartz is a hydraulic repairman for
the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Keflavik.
FACE OF AN F-102 — Pointed nose, huge air intake ports, and swept-back wings of F-102 rightly
suggest its swift flight capabilities.
CREW CHIEF — SSgt. Cosmo Italiano, of the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, is crew chief of an
F-102. He is shown adjusting the steering mechanism on the nose wheel of a Delta Dagger.
Photos by
P. E. Plouffe, Ph2,
Naval Station Photo Lab
of Lt. Col. Jack E. Popham, will
have a wealth of talent in the
support and maintenance organi-
zations to carry out the future
air defense mission. Lt. Col. Mayo
W. Neyland, formerly Chief of
Maintenance of 4600th Air Base
Wing, Ent AFB, Colorado, is the
new Chief of Maintenance for the
57th FIS. According to Warrant
Officer Oliver Church, 57th
Organizational Maintenance Of-
ficer, this squadron will undoub-
tedly have the most experienced
(Continued on Page G.)
ON THE FLIGHT LINE — Two of the F-102s to arrive Keflavik make their appearance on the flight line next to the F-89 Scorpions “retiring”
from active duty. The Delta Dagger’s supersonic and can operate at altitudes over 50,000 feet.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW — This odd view of the F-102, taken from atop the Air Force hangar by PH2 Philip E. Plouffe, clearly
shows the Delta Dagger’s triangular wing. Note that the “elevons” are in a down position. Open “flaps” at the bottom of
the stabilizer are “air brakes.” The F-102’s high landing speed often necessitates the use of a drag chute when landing
on short runways.
<—
RESCUE PROCEDURES — TSgt. James L. Howard, USAF, (left) explains rescue
procedures to ABM1 Allan C. Bercaw of the Crash/Fire Rescue section, U.S. Naval
Station, Keflavik. Sergeant Howard is temporarily serving in Iceland as a member
of Training Team #1, Field Training Detachment 208-A from Truax Air Force Base, Wise.
'Delta Daggers
Find Home in
The North.