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 U.S. Media reaction to Operation Sky Shield II

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." This article outlined the North American Air Defense System's (NORAD) plan to simulate missle-less mock war to test the North American's air defense systems for long-range bombers. The article outlined that the exercise was planned to take twelve hours beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th through 1 a.m. Sunday, October 15th. The article continues to outline the exercise in great detail. The Leader-Herald states that the purpose of this exercise is to provide operational training for the entire North American Air Defense System program. The beginning of this Sky Shield operation was to begin when a force of Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-47's and B-52's accompanied by a number of British bombers initiated contact with NORAD's systems. The defense system was said to consist of a NORAD fighter squadron composed of both U.S. and Royal Canadian Air Force. This squadron would consist of about 6,000 sorties consisting of F-102, F-106, and F-89 jets. The NORAD defense coordinator for this operation was General Laurence S. Kuter located in Colorado Springs. In addition, Lt. Gen Robert J. Wood would command the U.S. army air defense units in coordination with Kuter's plans. The total estimated number of military personnel and civilians was estimated to reach 150,000 with another 100,000 coordinated into rescue teams and maintenance staff on stand-by.

Military Groups Included in Operation Skyshield II

== Fifteen Army National Guardsman NIKE-AJAX missile bases in the northeast United States were to remain in stand-by mode, purely as practice because no missiles were to be fired during the exercise. 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. Navy Airborne Early Warning Squadrons consisting of 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. The WV-2's would patrol the northern part of the oceans with their large fuel reserves while the picket ships escorted by U.S. Destroyer ships would survey the southern part of the oceans with their long range radar systems. Protecting the Arctic Cap were the Canadians and their radar systems. Their Pine Tree stations along the Distant Early Warning line, the Mid-Canadian line, and the U.S. border were also coordinating with the NORAD defense system.

File:Canadian_radar_lines.PNG Pine Tree defense lines used by Canadian forces in Operation Skyshield II]] 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. ==

The estimated 1,880 U.S. civilian domestic and international air fleet were all to remain grounded during Operation Skyshield II. In addition to the estimated 70,000 general aviation planes also located in the United States. In conformation with the Air Force's Security Control of Air Traffic plan all foreign air carriers would also be grounded from sending planes to the United States.