|
EB-57
Electronic Countermeasures
(ECM |
|
As part of the Aerospace Defense Command (ADC), the B-57 was the "Friendly
Enemy". These Defense Systems Evaluation Squadrons (DSES) were used to
penetrate Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) acting as enemy bombers to test the
defense capability of interceptors and ground control radar sites of ADC. In
addition, training for individual intercept squadrons was a continuing
responsibility. The last two active duty units were the 4713 DSES and 4677
DSES which became the 17th DSES when the unit moved to Malmstrom AFB. The aircrews
and ground crews were frequently on duty away from their home station. The 4713th
called itself the "Roving Ravens".
The rotatable bomb bay of the Canberra replaced bombs with electronic black boxes and
the fuselage bristled with antennas. From the wing pods, chaff, used by the British
in World War II was still an effective radar jammer.
Photo Mark Witt
In the back seat of the B-57, the Electronic Warfare
Officer (EWO) orchestrated these electronic countermeasures using his own
skills to test and hone those of the interceptor aircraft crew. At the same time the
EWO took pride in developing the skills needed in his assigned wartime mission.
Photo: Westover AFB 4713 DSES: John Harris
As
changes occurred in Air Force structure and the nation's defense needs were updated, the
Air National Guard absorbed this mission as it had others. One of the last units to
fly the ECM aircraft was the Vermont Air National Guard from Burlington known as "The
Green Mountain Boys". E model 499 from that unit is on display in the Air
Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
|
Marquis
(Mark) Witt
Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)
|
© Copyright Marquis G. Witt,
1998,1999, 2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,
2011 Materials may be freely copied and
distributed subject to the inclusion of the copyright notice and the web site
address. The site is intended for historical and informational purposes. This
site contains links to other Internet sites. These links are not endorsements of
any products or services in such sites, and no information in such sites has
been endorsed or approved by this site.
|
|