The "Fighting 482nd" moved through a "no-notice" exercise on Wednesday and Thursday, to test the mobility and rapid deployment of the squadron.
The move came in conjunction with a 26th Air Division Exercise, "Shock Wave VII," and resembled the Squadron's move to Florida during the Cuban Crisis.
The Squadron's 21 F-102 Delta Daggers left Seymour Johnson at 10 a.m. Wednesday, landing at Loring AFB, Maine.
Five transport aircraft had already delivered the 65 ground support personnel and their equipment. By working around the clock, in adverse conditions, the maintenance people prepared the fighters for their missions.
At 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the F-102s left Loring and flew their assigned routes, landing at three different bases; Rome, N.Y., Burlington, Vt., and Bedford, Mass. After refueling at these bases, they returned to Seymour Johnson about 7 p.m.
Lt. Col. Carl T. Weaver Jr., leader of the Squadron, said that the deployment was the second most successful he had witnessed. He placed first the quick move to Florida in October.
According to reports, the 482nd was the first fighter unit from the United States to be engaged in the crisis operation.
[ED NOTE: 482nd History calls it Shock Wave III while the News-Argus article refers to VII. Orders moving the enlisted support do not specify either. Beats me. GCW]