Operation Sky Shield
In the event that an exercise of the magnitude of Sky Shield is justified in the future, we strongly urge that a minimum of 90 days' advance notice be given.
"[3] The American public also responded well, and when given a reasonable amount of time to reschedule their flights were fully understanding and supportive of the military defense operations.
[2] Operation Sky Shield II occurred on October 14, 1961, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.[2] It was one of the largest defense maneuvers ever held in the western world, involving approximately 250 bombers against 250 missile sites and 1,800 fighter planes flying more than 6,000 sorties.
[6] The northern force, attacking in a stream, reported a single instance of radar contact by an interceptor and all four landed in Newfoundland.
[7] Sky Shield II phases were transmitted to Royal Canadian Air Force stations by secure media, but in case of intercept, not the details.
A US Coast Guard (USCG) cutter reported seeing an orange flare at 12:15 a.m. on the 17th of October, but the eight crew members were eventually presumed lost at sea.
General Laurence Kuter was quoted in media after Sky Shield II ranging from Air Force Magazine to the Chicago Tribune, calling Sky Shield II "the greatest exercise in information analysis, decision-making, and action-taking in continental aerospace defense in all our history.
"[3] But Kuter deflected calls for a score of the operation, reiterating that Sky Shield's intent was, "by no means, a contest between offensive and defensive forces.
"[3] After the operation, NORAD produced an exhaustive report, presented it to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and then filed it in secure archives.
[3] Sky Shield III, held on September 2, 1962, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.,[2] was North America's first test of procedures for clearing national civilian air traffic at short notice, such as would be done in the event of a Soviet attack.
As the alert horn sounded, Federal Aviation Administration controllers hustled to get them to civil airports far from the metropolitan targets that were presumed to be under mushroom clouds.
It was initially strenuously denied by the United States Department of Defense, which in Flight magazine quoted "that British aircraft last took part in a Strategic Air Command exercise over the United States in the Autumn of 1960 [sic]", the '[sic]' being added by the magazine indicating an error.
The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported; "We do not know whether the Royal Air Force leaked the story to show up the Kennedy administration because of its decision to scrap the Skybolt air-to-ground missile."
"[citation needed] On Wednesday, October 11, 1961, the Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown, N.Y. wrote a front-page article entitled "U.S. Air Defense to Test Muscle in Operation Sky Shield II.
The Leader-Herald stated that the purpose of this exercise was to provide operational training for the entire North American Air Defense System program.
[11] Thirty Air National Guard interceptor squadrons were planned to patrol along the northern and southern perimeters of the United States as part of the NORAD defense system.
[11] United States Navy Airborne Early Warning Squadrons consisting of Lockheed WV-2 Super Constellations and Navy picket ships were planned to be the first warning line in the NORAD defense system by being positioned on the outer ring of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean defense systems.
[11] While there would be no participation by any planes south of the Mexican border, the Aircraft Control and Warning bases located in the Gulf coast were all made aware of the operation and on stand-by.
[11] FAA Administrator Najeeb Halaby commented that the Sky Shield grounding of all civilian air traffic was necessary to allow NORAD and SAC pilots full range of motion at all altitudes.
[3] For example, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) temporary guides met visitors at ticketing posts and showed off the new passenger terminal and ramp.
[3] During Operation Sky Shield II, airports continued to hold open houses, and many airlines threw parties for their staff.
Los Angeles International had 40,000 visitors, while workers took advantage of the closing to install a new air traffic control tower.
[3] At Chicago O'Hare, Eastern Air Lines, American Airlines, and Continental swung open the doors to their Boeing 707s and 720Bs.
