From owner-skunk-works-digest@netwrx1.com Thu Jan 31 00:38:14 2008 Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:36:37 -0600 From: skunk-works-digest Reply-To: skunk-works@netwrx1.com To: skunk-works-digest@netwrx1.com Subject: skunk-works-digest V15 #18 skunk-works-digest Wednesday, January 30 2008 Volume 15 : Number 018 Index of this digest by subject: *************************************************** skunk-works FWD [] Re: Isn't It Time for a REAL Paranormal Database //UFOs// skunk-works FWD (U-Tapao) Operation Location-Olive Harvest *************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 04:37:09 -0500 (EST) From: Terry Colvin Subject: skunk-works FWD [] Re: Isn't It Time for a REAL Paranormal Database //UFOs// For the past few years, I've been compiling a catalogue of UFO indexes, bibliographies and databases(and, where possible, obtaining copies of those databases). Could I impose on you to give some more details of the index that you have? Also, in response to your email Bob Rickard has referred to another index for Fate Magazine by Charles Fuller. I'd be grateful if someone could give brief details of that index as well. Since some of my notes on existing catalogues, bibliographies and indexes relating to ufology may be relevant to the subject of this thread (although I understand, of course, that ufology is simply one part of the proposed fortean/paranormal database) I'll give an outline below. First, I'll give very brief details that I've noted of some of the other indexes for UFO related magazines that may be relevant to the proposed project. I'd welcome details of further indexes. i. JUFOS 1. New Series http://www.cufos.org/jufosnew.html 2. Old Series: http://www.cufos.org/Jufosold.html ii. International UFO Reporter 1. 1976-1985 : AFU catalogue (complete) a. Available online at: http://www.afu.info/idxiur76.htm 2. 1986-1994 : AFU catalogue (ending with issue #5) a. Available online at: http://www.afu.info/idxiur86.htm iii. Skylook 1. 1969-1972 : AFU catalogue a. Available online at: http://www.afu.info/idxsky69.htm 2. 1973-1976 : AFU catalogue a. Available online at: http://www.afu.info/idxsky73.htm iv. MUFON UFO Journal 1. 1976-1984 : AFU catalogue being prepared 2. Ed Stewart's "Mutual UFO Network's MUFON UFO Journal & Skylook, 1967-1996 - An Index" v. Flying Saucer Review ("FSR") 1. Ed Stewart's "FSR - Flying Saucer Review, 1955-1994 - An Index" vi. Magonia 1. http://www.magonia.demon.co.uk/news/reviews/01.htm 2. http://magonia.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ vii. Skeptical Inquirer: 1. Index: http://www.csicop.org/si/index/a.html 2. List of online articles: http://www.csicop.org/si/online.html viii. UFO - Rivista di informazione ufologica (Italian) index. 1. Available online at http://www.ufo.it/english/sommari.htm ix. IUR 1. List of articles in back issues at: http://www.cufos.org/mailing.html Secondly, I'll repeat below a brief summary of the work I've been doing in collating details of UFO databases, bibliographies, catalogues and indexes. The relevant material below is taken from a summary I prepared a year or two ago, so it barely scrapes the surface of the project as it now stands, but the fuller project is far from finished. Anyway: I find it useful to split up the various types of software/databases that ufologists use. In this email, I'll divide my comments into the following categories: A. Databases of UFO reports; B. Databases of other information; C. Expert systems to assist in identifying possible stimuli for a report; D. Other software to assist in investigations and research. At the very minimum, I consider this exercise to be worthwhile because it may assist some of the various individuals that appear to be putting considerable time and effort into developing their own databases/software. Also, the usefulness of databases and other software merely as bibliographical tools should not be underestimated given the sheer mass of literature and documentation relating to UFO reports. However, before launching into these topics, I'll just note a few cautionary remarks in relation to the use of computers within ufology: (1) "Computers are a powerful tool which properly used will give enormous assistance to ufologists the world over... but it should be recognised from the outset that they alone will not answer the questions. [T]he UFO enigma will not be answered by computers but by the talented and intuitive thinking of human minds" per Spencer, John and Vallee, Jacques and Verga, Maurizio in "UFO: 1947-1987" (1987) (edited by Hilary Evans with John Spencer) at page 245 of the Fortean Tomes softcover edition (in Chapter 3.6, entitled "Computers in Ufology"). (2) "Poor data will merely produce the wrong answer more quickly on a computer. No technology or technique will compensate for deficient data." per Peter Hill, quoted in Phenomenon (1988) (edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans) at page 224. (3) "The well-known phrase "garbage in, garbage out' applies equally well to ufology." per Gamble, Stephen and Wootten, Michael and Danby, J and Smith, Willy and Kuhlemann, Bertil in "Phenomenon" (1988) (edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans) at pages 224-237 of the MacDonald hardback edition (in Part 3, in the unnumbered chapter entitled "Harnessing the Computer"). (4) See also the remarks by Brad Sparks on UpDates at the following link: http://www.virtuallystrange.net/ufo/updates/2005/jan/m09-010.shtml With these caveats firmly in mind, I turn to the categories I outlined above. A. Databases of UFO reports Given that many ufologists (and non-ufologists) in modern society appear to be almost compulsive list-makers, it is not surprising that there are already a wide variety of dabases of UFO Reports. Heck, there are already a considerable number of lists of databases (in effect, databases of databases - or "databases squared"). What is more surprising is that these databases rarely seem to be referred to by other individuals that are considering developing their own databases. If I were to attempt to prepare a comprehensive list of databases from scratch, I would attempt to divide existing databases into various categories (e.g. according to the method of storage or access (such as online, computerised and paper based), or according to the type of data stored (e.g. worldwide reports, regional reports, or specialised (e.g. pilot sightings, EM reports) and gradually build up a comprehensive list of databases within each catagory. However, given the existence of some attempts to list databases already, I think a more efficient and systematic approach would be to begin by starting by producing a list of references to lists of databases (in effect, a database of databases of databases, or a list of databases squared, or a "database cubed"). I'll begin with a list of online lists of databases (most of which are useful as guides to databases available online, but are rather weak in relation to databases supplied on CD or on paper): (a) Mark Cashman's list of catalogues at the following link, which is clearly presented and useful (but rather limited): http://www.temporaldoorway.com/ufo/catalog/index.htm (b) Potentially more comprehensive, but a bit hit and miss in its coverage, is the following page on Francis Ridge's "NICAP" website. That page refers to various categories or "groups" of sightings. Clicking on a "group" displays a page relating to that category of sighting that generally begins with a list of databases or analyses relevant to that category. http://www.nicap.dabsol.co.uk/special.htm (c) Project 1947 provides a list of catalogues (which appears to be generally limited to those by contributors to the Project) at: http://www.project1947.com/47cats.htm (d) A slightly bare list of databases (which includes several regional databases rarely mentioned elsewhere) is provided by SUFOI at the following link: http://www.sufoi.dk/artik-sn/new12-08.htm (e) Few of the many computer software projects currently in development give any indication that existing databases/software were reviewed before launching into the new project. One of the few exceptions is the RR0 project being run by Jerome Beau, which not only includes a limited list of "alternatives and competition" but also (extremely briefly and not entirely clearly (possibly because of the somewhat stilted English/jargon)) attempts to define what is different about the proposed project. See the "alternatives and competition" table and the remarks below it at the following link: https://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php? docid=17408&group_id=70060#AlternativesAndCompetition (f) A very brief list of databases is given by Terry Groff on his UFO Tools website at the following link: http://www.terrygroff.com/ufotools/statistics.html The most striking thing about these lists, to me at least, is that there is very limited overlap in the lists of databases. It seems to me that merely combining these lists would generate a more comprehensive list of UFO databases than is currently available on the Internet. Even more striking is the fact that the lists of databases and catalogues that appear in print also have extremely limited overlap with the above lists. For example, UFO databases are listed and/or discussed in the following: Evans, Hilary in "UFO: 1947-1987" (1987) (edited by Hilary Evans with John Spencer) at page 46 of the Fortean Tomes softcover edition (Chapter 2.3.1, entitled "UFOs as Global Phenomenon"). Hall, Richard in "The UFO Evidence: Volume 2 - A Thirty Year Report" (2001) (edited by Richard Hall) at pages 646-647 (in Section 16) of the Scarecrow Press hardback edition. Hynek, J Allen and Vallee, Jacques in their "The Edge of Reality" (1975) at pages 76, 78-82 (in Chapter 3) of the Henry Regnery hardback edition. Gamble, Stephen and Wootten, Michael and Danby, J and Smith, Willy and Kuhlemann, Bertil in "Phenomenon" (1988) (edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans) at pages 224-237 of the MacDonald hardback edition (Part 3, in the unnumbered chapter entitled "Harnessing the Computer"). Randles, Jenny and Warrington, Peter in their "UFOs : A British Viewpoint" (1979) at pages 180-181 (in Chapter 11) of the Book Club Associates hardback edition. Randles, Jenny and Warrington, Peter in their "Science and the UFOs" (1985) at page 60 (in Chapter 4) of the Blackwell hardback edition. Spencer, John and Vallee, Jacques and Verga, Maurizio in "UFO: 1947-1987" (1987) (edited by Hilary Evans with John Spencer) at pages 238-245 of the Fortean Tomes softcover edition (in Chapter 3.6, entitled "Computers in Ufology"). Sturrock, Peter in his "The UFO Enigma" (1999) at pages 166-167 (in Chapter 24) of the Warner Aspect hardback edition. Westrum, Ronald M in "UFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist" (1979) (edited by Richard F Haines) at pages 104-106 (in Chapter 5) of the Scarebrow Press hardback edition. The above lists are an attempt at a database cubed. I've started to generate my own database squared (i.e. a list of computer databases), by listing the databases listed in the webpages/discussions and other databases I've read about elsewhere (or have obtained). Before I spend much more time on this project, I'd invite anyone that knows of other lists of databases to add to the above database cubed to do so. Of the above list of existing lists of databases, I would heavily highlight in particular the article by Spencer, John and Vallee, Jacques and Verga, Maurizio in "UFO: 1947-1987" (1987) (edited by Hilary Evans with John Spencer) at pages 238-245 of the Fortean Tomes softcover edition (in Chapter 3.6, entitled "Computers in Ufology"). That article discusses a considerable number of existing databases. Interestingly, I don't think I've read about most of those databases since that article was printed in 1987. It would be interesting to follow up on the status and availability of those databases. A few hours of effort in following up the availability of programs or databases that took week or months to produce could be very rewarding. I note in particular the following from that article (at the top of page 242): " This is the only publication in the world exclusively devoted to the use and application of computers in ufology. A lot of international researchers contribute to the [Computer UFO Newsletter] edited by Maurizio Verga. with articles on research projects, ready programs, proposals of common works and new software. There is a column, 'Offers of software', where there is an offer at cost price of all UFO programs available at the moment (about 30) for different kinds of computers.". Presumably, if the authors of the relevant programs were prepared to make the programs available at cost price, some or all of them would be prepared to make them available on a website (such as Terry's "UFO Tools" website). I note that the Newsletter is referred to on Maurizio Verga's website at the following link, but I don't know whether the newsletters that were produced (or the relevant programs) are already available online or how useful they would be. http://www.ufo.it/verga.htm Another previous effort that I would be interested in knowing more about (and may be worth noting by those that are working on, or thinking about, generating their own database) is the International Committee for UFO Research ("ICUR"). That organisation made an effort to consider how more comprehensive international databases of UFO reports could be generated and how (if at all) the data in various databases could be standardised. See the links below: http://members.rogers.com/vlourenco/mufon/hais02.htm http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/el82/icur.htm That Committee boasted an impressive list of members, including BUFORA, CUFOS, Project UNICAT, Project URD, SUFOI and others. I'm aware of some background on the Committee (see the short list of references below), but am quite out of date. I'd like to know far more about this interesting endeavour. Can anyone point me to more up to date information? Are any of the members of the executive of that Committee on this List? How active was/is the Committee? Did it issue any reports or substantial minutes of its deliberations? Some references for the International Committee for UFO Research (in addition to the 2 hyperlinks given above): Blevins, Dave in his "UFO Directory International" (2003) at pages 89-90 (in Part 2) of the McF softcover edition. Gamble, Stephen and Wootten, Michael and Danby, J. and Smith, Willy and Kuhlemann, Bertil in "Phenomenon" (1988) (edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans) at page 224 of the MacDonald hardback edition (Part 3, in the unnumbered chapter entitled "Harnessing the Computer"). Randles, Jenny in her "UFO Reality" (1983) at page 52 (in Chapter 3) of the Hale hardback edition. West, Arnold in "Phenomenon" (1988) (edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans) at page 12 of the MacDonald hardback edition (in the unnumbered chapter entitled "About BUFORA and ICUR"). In this part of this email I'm merely seeking to outline how a comprehensive list of existing computer databases could be produced, not to give a list of them. (A draft list I'm working on is probably too long to include in this email). However, it would be remiss of me to fail to give a couple of comments on the two offline giants of the UFO database world: UFOCAT and Larry Hatch's *U* database. UFOCAT: I don't think that there's any real doubt that UFOCAT is the most famous and largest offline UFO database. I gave a list of references to discussion of UFOCAT cut and paste from an incomplete draft of my Chronology in my email at the following link: http://www.virtuallystrange.net/ufo/updates/2005/jan/m10-017.shtml See also the CUFOS and UFOCAT webpages: http://www.cufos.org/UFOCAT.html http://www.ufocat.com/ As I remarked in that email, I think it would be in the interests of ufology and CUFOS for the manual for UFOCAT to be made available on the internet. The manual hints at the wealth of data and bibliographical references on various topics that can be extracted from UFOCAT. Also, the UFOCAT database (which runs on Microsoft's Access) comes with various pre-prepared lists relating to particularly types of sightings etc. I would have thought it would be good advertising for UFOCAT for one or more of those lists to be made freely available on the CUFOS website. I'd also note the following comment from page 5 of the UFOCAT 2002 Manual: "We would first caution potential users not to expect to be able to begin and end their research using only UFOCAT 2002-there are too many gaps in the data and, just like the Internet, not every source of information is as reliable and accurate as the next. The results obtained from UFOCAT 2002 are best thought of as a reference guide to the original sources for the crucial details. Otherwise, the distinction between poorly investigated reports and exhaustively studied sightings will be lost. However, you will substantially improve your search for information by accessing UFOCAT 2002. What was true when Allan Hendry wrote his critique of UFOCAT in 1979 is even truer today: UFOCAT 2002 is without peer as a reference source. Thousands of hours went into creating it, and months have gone into revising it to improve its ease of use. It exists today as the most comprehensive reference tool and bibliographic source on UFO reports in existence." Larry Hatch's *U* Database - Given Larry's frequent posts to Updates, his database probably does not require any introduction or any reference to his website at the following link: http://www.larryhatch.net/ As far as I've seen, this database has not discussed in many books so far. However, Larry's objective appears to be very similar to that of Dr Willy Smith's Project UNICAT (i.e. a filtered catalogue of higher quality UFO reports). Project UNICAT's database has been discussed in several of the references given above, and elsewhere (e.g. in the entry entitled "UNICAT Project" at pages 943-944 of Jerome Clark's "UFO Encylopedia 2nd Edition : Volume 2 L-Z:" (1998). Larry's database is currently only available as a Microsoft DOS program and its appearance is a rather basic. The sound effects may have been cutting edge for DOS software but are now simply a bit irritating. However, these rather superficial issues should not cause the database itself to be underestimated. The database is a useful tool and I look forward to seeing Larry release a new version of his database once its been given a new, glossy, Windows user interface. (Again, I find it interesting that the references given by Larry's database rarely seem to overlap with the references given for the same sightings by UFOCAT). B. Databases of other information Ah, well, this is a rather wide category of a mass of (generally) smaller databases..... For example, there are lists/databases of different types of IFOs (e.g. Menzel's list, which is now online at: http://www.cufon.org/cufon/ifo_list.htm or lists relating to a particular type of IFO (e.g. the list of clouds (with photos) for which a link is given on Terry's UFO Tools website). More significant are the various bibliographies (by Catoe etc). I won't attempt to list the existing bibliographies in this email, but will simply note that several of the existing bibliographies contain sections which are devoted to listing bibliographies - see, in particular, the following: (1) Codes LB and LBA in the excellent online database produced by the AFU, at the following link: http://www.afu.info/booksbycodeL.htm (2) US Library of Congress, Tracer Bullet 91-1 "Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)" containing section entitled "Bibliographies", available online at: http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/tracer-bullets/ufostb.html Surprising limited, unless I'm missing something, are existing indexes/databases of government documents. Of course, there are some lists (e.g. Brad Sparks' list of Project Blue Book "Unknowns"), but I've seen far fewer such indexes than would be useful. If someone has already compiled a list of such indexes/databases, I'd be grateful if they could let me know as it would produce a short cut for the database squared I'm producing. The range of other existing lists/databases that might be of interest to ufologists is almost unlimited, for example: (1) lists of SETI projects (such as those presented by Darling, David in his "The Extraterrestrial Encyclopedia" (2000) at pages 378-383 (in the table entitled "SETI Observing Programs: 1960 to the Present") of the Three Rivers softcover edition and Jill Tarter's list in "Extraterrestrials: Science and alien intelligence" (1985) (edited by Edward Regis) as her tabular Appendix entitled "Archive of SETI observing programs 1959-84" at page 192 of the Cambridge University Press softcover edition. (2) various lists of movies involving UFOS/aliens, including: a. The list entitled "A Checklist of ETs in the Cinema" presented by Chris Boyce in in his "Extraterrestrial Encounter" (1979) at page 164 (in Appendix 1) of the David & Charles hardback edition, at page 152 of the 1980 revised NEL paperback edition. b. The list of science fiction films with themes of either visitors from space, or travelling to space or both presented by Armando Simon in "UFO Phenomena and the Behavioral Scientist" (1979) (edited by Richard F Haines) at page 53 (in Chapter 3) of the Scarebrow Press hardback edition. c. The list entitled "Alien Inspired Movies" presented by Kurland, Michael in his "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Extraterrestrial Intelligence" (1999) at page 290 (in Chapter 28) of the Alpha Books softcover edition, and included in Appendix E at pages 315-316. (3) List of names of supposed extraterrestrials relating to UFO sightings/contactees presented by Paul Christopher in his "Alien Intervention" (1998) at pages 81-82 (in Chapter 5) of the Huntington House softcover edition. etc., etc., etc. C. Expert systems to assist in identifying possible stimuli for a report Jacques Vallee has written about an expert system called OVNIBASE that he developed using NEXPERT SYSTEM (developed by Neuron Data, Inc) to implement a screening system which could be operated by clerical personnel with the objective of eliminating most misidentifications and to enable a skilled scientific analyst to spend his or her time on those few cases genuinely worthy of full investigation. This system was discussed by Jacques Vallee in his "Confrontations" (1990) at pages 212-213 (in the Appendix) of the Ballantine Books paperback edition. It is also discussed in the article by Spencer, Vallee and Verga highlighted above. I've heard very little about this system in recent years. I understand that it was being developed further by a French group, but am not sure of its current status or availability. D. Other software to assist in investigations and research. This appears to be the primary focus of Terry Groff's "UFO Tools" website at: http://www.terrygroff.com/ufotools/ Again, I won't attempt to list specific examples in this email (given its already considerable length), but will merely note some categories for which lists could be developed: 1. Software for checking specific IFOs, the most obvious example being astronomical sources; 2. Software relevant to particular types of evidence, e.g. Photographic evidence : image analysis software; Witness evidence: software/databases to assist in locating witnesses and calculation tools to assist in evaluating witness evidence. (In relation to calculation tools, in addition to noting the tools on Terry Groff's UFO website referred to above, I note that the article by Spencer, Vallee, and Verga highlighted above appears to briefly refer to other such calculation tools, including an Italian program called "Elaborazione Dati Avvistamento" ("Sighting Data Processing"), which, at least according to that article, "allows the processing of many different parameters coming from the witness' tale. Probable sizes, altitude, distance and speed are some of the parameters you can obtain...". 3. Software for digitising information, e.g. Documents: Scanning software, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software; Sound (e.g. lectures, radio interviews) : software such as Magix's Audio Cleaning Lab. Also, it is important not to forget the full range of activities that may be encompassed by the term ufology, including political lobbying FOIA requests. There are various interactive tools online (and other software) that can be useful in relation to these areas. For example, there are websites that allow the user to send a fax elected representatives in a particular country, or to help generate the text of a FOIA request letter. Furthermore, there are of course the fundamental software program (word processors, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing software, virus software, zipping software etc etc). Perhaps the most obvious observations from reviewing the discussions referred to above are that many, many catalogues/databases have (a) been planned but not finished, or (b) finished but are not readily available. I dread to think how much time and effort has been wasted on such projects. I urge the various individuals on Updates that are involved in the development of further databases to: (1) consider what, if anything, their project adds to existing databases; (2) adopt realistic goals; and (3) consider how their project can be designed in stages or modules, so that others can build upon your work if you decide to abandon it. To help me (or anyone else) track down databases that have been developed but almost forgotten about, I repeat the invitation given above to let me (or Updates generally) know of references to lists of databases (other than those given in Section A of this email) so that a comprehensive list of databases can be generated and then followed up. Kind Regards, Isaac Koi Terry W. Colvin Sierra Vista, Arizona This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm Terry W. Colvin Ladphrao (Bangkok), Thailand Pran Buri (Hua Hin), Thailand ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:35:17 -0500 (EST) From: Terry Colvin Subject: skunk-works FWD (U-Tapao) Operation Location-Olive Harvest Formatting is a bit chaotic. - -----Forwarded Message----- > >--- In U-Tapao@yahoogroups.com, Bud Snyder wrote: > >Here is the corrected and completed list of all U-2 and SR-71 units, >their bases, OLs and Dets. (Last update January 11, 1995) >Det X (USAF / CIA), Detachments): ---------------------------------- > Detachment, USAF / CIA deployment base for U-2 reconnaissance >aircraft (later OL-n, then to OL-XX and Det n), where _X_ is a >capital letter: Det A - RAF Lakenheath, England, 1st WRSP, (WRSP- >1), (Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Provisional), moved >to: - Wiesbaden AB, Germany, moved to: - Giebelstadt >AB, Germany Det B - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, 2nd WRSP, (WRSP-2), later >also known as: Det 10-10, or TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics >Group) Det C - Atsugi AB, Japan, 3rd WRSP, (WRSP-3) Det D - ? Det >E - ? Det F - ? Det _ - Groom (Dry) Lake Test Facility, 4th WRSP, >(WRSP-4), also known as: 'Watertown Strip', 'Aerea 51', 'The >Area', 'The Ranch', 'Paradise Ranch', 'Dreamland', with U-2, >moved 6/1960 to: Det G - Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF >Flight Test Center, also known as 'Special Projects >Branch', - 1969 redesignated 1130th > ATTG, and belonging to ARDC, together with the 6512th TG >(also at Edwards AFB) Det G'- Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, (pronounced "G >prime"), ground crew from Det G to suport aircraft and >pilots drom Det H Det H - Taoyuan AB, Taiwan, 35th Squadron, 'Black >Cats', 6th Group, RoCAF OL-n (USAF, Operating Locations): -------- >------------------------- Operating Location, SAC deployment base >for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft (later called Det n), >where _n_ is a sequence number: OL-1 - ? OL-2 - ? OL-3 - ? >OL-4 - ? OL-5 - Eielson AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958 - >3/1960) OL-6 - ? OL-7 - ? OL-8 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U- >2, SR-71, also known as: OL-RK, (OLRK), then OL-KA, (OLKA), >later to Det 1 OL-9 - ? OL-10 - ? OL-11 - RAAF Laverton, East >Sale, Australia, U-2, (HASP-deployment 11/1960 and 10/1961), >moved to: - RAAF Avalon, Australia, U-2, (the very last HASP- >deployment 2/1965), and back > to: - RAAF Laverton, Australia, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment >7/1966) OL-12 - ? OL-13 - ? OL-14 - ? OL-15 - ? OL-16 - ? OL- >17 - ? OL-18 - Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP- >deployment), and - Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP- >deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL-19 - Barksdale AFB, >Louisiana, U-2, (including HiCAT deployment), moved 1969 >to: - McCoy AFB, Florida, U-2 OL-20 - Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, >also known as: 'Lucky Dragon', 'Giant Dragon', and 'Trojan >Horse', U-2, moved 7/1970 to: - U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, >to OL-RU, (OLRU), redesignated 99th SRS (November 1972) >OL-XX (USAF, Operating Locations): ---------------------------------- > Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 >reconnaissance aircraft (before and later called Det n), where _XX_ >is a two letter code: OL-RK - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and >SR-71, also known as: OL-8, OL-KA, (OLKA), > (OLRK), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?), (OL-8 became OL- >RK on 10/30/1970, later changed to OL-KA), (OL-RK stands >for "Operating Location - Ryukyys", a chain of islands, of >which Okinawa is a part of) OL-KA - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 >and SR-71, also known as: OL-8, OL-RK, (OLRK), (OLKA), later >to Det 1, (disestablished ?), (OL-RK became OL-KA on >10/21/1971, to Det 1 in 08/1974), (OL-KA stands >for "Operating Location - Kadena") OL-RU - U-Tapao RTAFB, >Thailand, U-2, previously known as: OL-20 (at Bien Hoa, >Vietnam, moved to U-Tapao RTAFB in 07/1970), (redesignated >99th SRS, 11/1972, and moved back to Beale AFB, CA) (OL-RU >stands probably for "Operating Location - RTAFB U-Tapao" ?) OL-SB - > Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, SR-71, (used for >operational non-stop reconnaisance flights over Egypt, >Israel, and Syria during the Yom Kipur War >1973/74), > (OL-SB might stand for "Operating Location - Seymour B..." ?) OL- >OH - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, U-2, also known as: (OLOH), later to Det >3, (1992 redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW), missions were code >named 'Olive Harvest', maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' >(source 11), redesignated Det. 1; (OL-OH probably >stands for "Operating Location - 'Olive Harvest'") OL-CH - Al Taif >AB, Saudi Arabia, 1700th RW(P), 1704th RS(P), U-2, (during >Desert Shield/Desert Storm and follow-up), missions were code >named 'Camel Hump', probably redesignated 4402nd >RS; (OL-CH probably stands for "Operating Location - 'Camel >Hump'") OL-UK - RAF Alconbury, UK, U-2, previously designated 95th >TRS, 17th RW, (inactivated 09/15/1993, while operations >continue as OL-UK), moved 03/15/1995 to RAF >Fairford; (OL-UK stands for "Operating Location - United >Kingdom") OL-FR - BA 125 Istres, Le Tube, France, (Base > Aerienne 125 = Air Base # 125) CNES Flight Test >Center, (OL-FR stands for "Operating Location - France") >Det n (USAF, Detachments): -------------------------- Detachment, >SAC/ACC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft >(previously OL-n), where _n_ is (usually) a sequence number: Det >1 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, 1129th SAS, A-12, and 9th SRW, U- >2, SR-71, (ex OL-KA, (OLKA), ex OL-RK, (OLRK), ex OL- >8) - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2, ex OL- >OH, (OLOH)), maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' Det >2 - Osan AB, South Korea, 9th SRW, redesignated 6th RS, 9th >RW, redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2 Det 3 - Ramey >AFB, Puerto Rico, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958, MIDAS- >deployment and HiCAT-deployment), moved to: - RAF >Akrotiri, Cyprus, 9th SRW, redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U- >2, (ex OL-OH, (OLOH)), to Det 1, maybe nicknamed > 'Fantasy Island' Det 4 - Plattsburgh AFB, New York, U-2, (HASP- >deployment), moved to: - Ezeiza AB, Argentina, U-2, (HASP- >deployment 9/11/58 to 8/1959 and 5/1960 to 6/1960), >moved to: - RAF Mildenhall, UK, 99th SRS, 9th SRW, >established 3/31/1979, U-2 and SR-71A, (the U-2s moved >1980 to RAF Alconbury, UK, becoming the 95th TRS, 17th >RW, 1991 to OL-UK, which moved 03/15/1996 to RAF >Fairford, UK) 1980 - 1991 only SR-71 Det 5 - >Patrick AFB, Florida, 9th SRW, U-2, (MIDAS-deployment >and HiCAT-deployment) Det 51 - Palmdale, California, >Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10, (ex Site II), >2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, U-2 and SR-71, (before >12/31/1970, operations were part of AFSC), >reorganisation 09/1977 to: Det 6 - Palmdale, California, Air >Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10, (ex Site II), 2762th >Logistics > Squadron, AFLC, (ex Det 51), U-2 and SR-71, >(Headquaters at Norton AFB, California) Det 10-10 - Incirlik AFB, >Turkey, also known as TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics >Group), ex Det B (or 2nd WRSP), U-2 Main Bases and SAC / TAC / ACC >Wings: ------------------------------------- - Turner AFB, >Georgia, 4080th SRW(L), (established April, 1, 1956), >equipped with RB-57D, moved February-April 1957 to: - Laughlin >AFB, Texas, 4080th SRW(L), equipped with U-2 and RB- >57D, redesignated 4080th SRW, (June 15, >1963), finished July 1963 move to: - Davis-Monthan AFB, >Arizona, 4080th SRW, redesignated 100th >SRW, (June 15, 1966), became 100th AREFW >at Beale AFB, with KC-135, and U-2 operations transferred to 9th >SRW, (March/April 1976), at: - Beale AFB, California, >4200th SRW, (established January 1, 1965), with SR-71 and T-38, > redesignated 9th SRW, (established June 25, 1966), combining all >operational SR-71 and U-2, (March/April 1976), all SR-71 retiered >(January 26, 1990), redesignated 9th Wing, >(1990, when SAC became a part of ACC), with U-2 and T- >38; redesignated 9th RW, (10/1992), with U-2 >and T-38 - RAF Alconbury, UK, 17th RW, (established >1976), with U-2, ex Det 4, inactivated (September 15, 1993), >operations continued as OL-UK, moved 03/15/1995 to: - RAF >Fairford, UK, operations as OL-UK may have ceased and were >possibly completely transfered to: - Istres AB, France, as OL- >FR SAC / TAC / ACC Squadrons: -------------------------- - >4080th SRW(L) / 4025th SRS(L) 'Black Knights', (activated June 8, >1955), at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, no aircraft assigned/received, >moved: to Turner AFB, Georgia, equipped with RB-57D, (May 1956), >moved: to Laughlin AFB, Texas, (February/May 1957), > deactivated June 15, 1960, RB-57D retired, 4080th SRW / >4025th RS, (reactivated July 1, 1965), at Davis-Monthan AFB, with >AQM/BQM-34, (ex Operation 'Lightning Bug'), 100th SRW / 350th >SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966), deactivated 1976, when all SAC >RPV assets were transferred to TAC - 4080th SRW / 4028th SRS, >(activated May 1, 1956) at Laughlin AFB, Texas, equipped with U-2, >(June 11, 1957) 4028th SRWS, (redesignated June >13, 1957), moved: to Davis-Monthan AFB, (July 1963), 100th >SRW / 349th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966), all U-2 >operation transferred to 99th SRS, (1976), 100th AREFW / 349th >AREFS, (redesignated 1976), with KC-135 - 4080th SRW(L) / 4029th >SRS(L), (paper unit, allocated April 1, 1956), deactivated >1960, 9th SRW / 4029th SRTS, (reactivated August 1, 1981), >with U-2R, SR-71, and T-38 9th SRW / 5th SRTS 'The >Dragon Tamers', (redesignated 1976), > deactivated (?), - 9th SRW / 1st SRS, (activated 1960), >with SR-71, 9th RW / 1st RS, (redesignated 1992), with U- >2 and T-38 - 9th RW / 5th RS, (established 1992), with U- >2, (at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex Det >3) (?), (at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex >Det 2) (?), - 9th RW / 6th RS, (established 1992), with >U-2, (at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex Det >2), (disestablished ?) - 9th >SRW / 99th SRS, (established June 1966), with SR-71, >deactivated (as SR-71 squadron) (April 1, 1971), 9th SRW / >99th SRS, (re-established November 1972), with U- >2, (ex OL-RU at U-Tapao RTAFB, >Thailand), 9th RW / 99th RS, (redesignated 1992) - >17th RW / 95th TRS, (established 1976), with U- >2, (at RAF Alconbury, UK, from ex Det >4), > inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK >Other Units: ------------ - 1129th SAS, Groom (Dry) Lake, >Nevada, (Special Activities Squadron), (deployed >only operational to Det 1, Kadena AB, Okinawa), >established 1961/62 (?), CIA operated, deactivated June >1968, with A-12 - 1130th ATTG, Edwards AFB, >North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center, >(Air Technical Training Group), also known >as 'Special Projects Branch', ex 4th WRSP, (WRSP- >4), ex Det G, established mid-1969, (belonged to >ARDC), CIA operated, deactivated mid-1974, with U- >2 - 2762th LS, Palmdale, Airforce Plant 42, (Logistics >Squadron), (belongs to AFLC), U-2 and SR-71 - >1700th RW(P), Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Wing >(Provisional)), (also known as OL-CH), with: - >1704th RS(P), Al Taif AB, Saudi > Arabia, (Reconnaissance Squadron (Provisional)), >(also known as OL-CH), with U-2, (probably) >redesignated: - 4402nd RS, Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, >(Reconnaissance Squadron), and belonging/assigned >to 9th RW - 4200th TW, Beale AFB, California, (Test Wing), with >B-52H and D-21B, with: - 4200th TS, Beale AFB, >California, (Test Squadron), with B-52H and D-21B, >and: - 4200th A/SS, Beale AFB, California, (Air/Support >Squadron), (maybe with B-52H and D-21B, maybe >redesignated to 4200th TS) - 4786th TS, Edwards AFB, North >Base, California, (Test Squadron), designated >January 16, 1970, (ex SR-71/YF-12 Test Force, >established June 1965), with YF-12 (and SR-71 ?) - 6512th TG, >Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Group), >(belongs to ARDC), with U-2 Other Operating Locations may include >the > following bases and air fields around the world: OL-x - >Anderson AFB, Guam, U-2, (HASP-deployment) OL-x - Bodo AB, Norway, >U-2 and SR-71 OL-x - Charbatia, India, U-2 OL-x - Diego Garcia >AB, Chagos Archipelago, U-2 and SR-71 (once) OL-x - Elmendorf AFB, >Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Fiji Islands, U-2, (HASP- >deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - Griffiss AFB, New York, SR- >71 OL-x - Hanscom AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - >Hickam AFB, Hawai, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment) OL- >x - Kunsan AB, South Korea, U-2, (1960s) OL-x - Lahore, Pakistan, >U-2 OL-x - Loring AFB, Maine, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment) OL-x - >Meshad, Iran, U-2 OL-x - Minot AFB, North Dakota, U-2, (HASP- >deployment 9/1959) OL-x - NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, U-2 OL-x - >Offut AFB, Nebraska, U-2 OL-x - Peshawar, Pakistan, U-2 OL-x - >RAE Bedford, UK, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 3/1967) OL-x - RAF Watton, >UK, U-2, (RAF testing ) OL-x - RAF Wethersfield, > UK, U-2, (ALSS-deployment Summer 1975) OL-x - RNZAF Christchurch, >New Zealand, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 6/1966) OL-x - San Angelo, >Texas, U-2, (HASP-deployment) OL-x - Sioux City, Iowa, U-2, (HASP- >deployment) OL-x - Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia, U-2 and SR-71, >(SYPO - Senior Year Programs Office) OL-x - Zahedan >airstrip, Iran, U-2 Civil Airports: --------------- - Burbank >Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 and SR-71 - Van Nuys >Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 Aircraft Carrier: - >---------------- CVA-61 - USS Ranger - used for tests March 2/5, >1964, (U-2G 'N801X' and 'N808X'), >with 'O.N.R.' titles, and operationally in >May 1964 for 'Operation Seeker') and >maybe again in 1965/66 CVA-63 - USS Kitty Hawk - used for initial U- >2A carrier tests in August of 1963, (U- >2A 'N315X') CVA-66 - USS America - used for U-2R > carrier qualification in November of >1969, (U-2R 'N812X') There are more locations, especially >deployments of NASA aircraft, which I have missed, please feel free >to correct me and add your own $0.02 :) Sources: ======== 1) >Dragon Lady - The History of the U-2 Spyplane, by Chris Pocock 2) >Lockheed U-2 - AeroGraph 3, by Jay Miller 3) Lockheed U-2R/TR-1 - >Aerofax Minigraph 28, by Jay Miller and Chris Pocock 4) Skunk Works - > The First Fifty Years, by Jay Miller 5) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, >by Paul F. Crickmore 6) Lockheed SR-71 - The Secret Missions >Exposed, by Paul F. Crickmore 7) U-2 Spyplane in action, >squadron/signal 86, by Larry Davis 8) SR-71 Blackbird in action, >squadron/signal 55, by Lou Drendal 9) Gulf Air War Debrief, World >Air Power Journal, Editor: Stan Morse 10) United States Air Force >Yearbook 1994 11) The Black Watch, by Gann (which I don't >know/have) 12) The Oxcart Story, by "Thomas P. McIninch" 13) email >from > John Stone 14) various Aviation Week & Space >Technology (AW&ST) magazines and many other. (c) 1995 by Andreas >Gehrs-Pahl > > >Bud >West Palm Beach Florida >POL UT/Ubon May 68-May 69 Terry W. Colvin Sierra Vista, Arizona ------------------------------ End of skunk-works-digest V15 #18 ********************************* To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@netwrx1.com". 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