Skaalen, Lloyd: my Cold War Air Force experience (March 15, 2017)
PublicInterviewer: Taylor, Mercedes
Interviewee: Skaalen, Lloyd
An interview/narrative of Lloyd Skaalen's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 15, 2017 in Victoria, B.C.
ABSTRACT: Lloyd Skaalen grew up in Alberta and remembers planes flying through the area on their way to Russia during the Second World War. He saved up money from his paper route to take private flying lessons, something that would be beneficial to him upon joining the Air Force in 1948. His training began in Ontario and he began his service operating fighter aircraft. He recalls that going into training as a cadet was his first introduction to command and control. He describes command and control as an integral function of military life, and that this aspect of the air force has come a long way from its origins in Morris code and flags. He compares these beginning to the technological capabilities of today, such as the ability to control an operation from half way around the world with no pilots involved. Skaalen describes what the technology was like when he first entered the Air Force, with distance limitations and quality of communication challenges. He compares the old short wave radio communication abilities to today’s use of satellites. Skaalen’s first operational action after training was complete was to transport 421 Vampires to England from Canada as part of the Royal Airforce Wing. He describes this as an ideal introduction to what had been the routine for World War II operations. This was part of NATO development. Following this he was deployed to the first airbase established in France as part of the New Air Division. Skaalen describes how a squadron was comprised and the types of command that was required. The Canadian Air Division was structured this way until 1964. Their main mission was to be prepared to take on Russians should the need arise. Though Skaalen never took part in any Russian interceptions, there were instances of Russians trying to direct Canadian aircraft with false signals, something that Skaalen had to deal with first hand. Following his time in Europe, Skaalen again took part in the transport of aircraft from Canada to Europe, this time with F-86 Sabres. Weather and adequate fuel were factors that could lead to the loss of an aircraft, and had to be monitored closely. Other factors included good communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, as well as the proper function of radar units at each base, called Ground Control Approach. Skaalen recalls an instance where a pilot ran out of fuel in Germany and had to bail out of his aircraft, losing the plane. Skaalen elaborates on the importance of good communications and the problems that can sometimes occur. There was always the possibility of misunderstanding instructions. Technology is eliminating this component of command and control, as there is no room for misinterpretation when dealing with machines. Other limitations include the infrastructure that goes into having humans on board an aircraft. Skaalen explains that command and control has been consolidated in more recent years. Other advantages when comparing Skaalen’s time in Europe to the present day include the number of commercial aircraft that are now in the air at any given time, whereas in the 1950s there was much more “free sky”. Discussion of Skaalen’s posting at the RCAF Staff College as a squadron leader followed by his position as an officer in the Military Airlift Command of the US Airforce in Illinois. This was followed by a move to Washington DC and a position in the Air Attaché office as Senior Air Operations Wing Commander. After three years he became the NORAD Operations Deputy Commander in Syracuse NY and was in charge of exercises NORAD squadrons were engaged in. This was followed by another move, to Summerside PEI again in the role of Base Commander. Posted in Ottawa, he was in charge of Maritime Air Operations, and discusses how maritime operations differed from his previous experience. Skaalen gives other examples of how command and control has evolved over the years, providing an example of Libya and Operation Mobile. He also discusses the characteristics one requires to make a good pilot and to execute accurate and successful command and control. Comparisons are made with the training methods of today and other limitations in recruiting. 0:00 – 2:03 – Impressions of air force while growing up, saved money to get private pilot’s license as a teenager. 2:04 – 4:17- Joined air force in 1948, training in Ontario, began using fighter aircraft, command training. 4:18 – 5:40 - Role of commanders, comparison of command and control origins to present day. 5:41 – 8:24 – Communications capabilities, challenges, and technology at the beginning of service. 8:25 – 10:08 - First operation, transport of squadron from Canada to England, Royal Air Force Wing. 10:09 – 10:40 – New Air Division deployment in France. 10:41 - 13:45 - Description of squadron organization, division of a squadron into two flights, command protocol. 13:46 – 16:43 - Role of NATO, how successful it would have been in the event of an attack. 16:44 – 21:03 - Obstacles and challenges in aviation, wrong signals, running short of fuel, Russian tactics. 21:04 – 26:00 - Communications between pilots and Air Traffic controllers, radar units on each base Ground Control Approach, instances where command was disregarded. 26:01- 33:30 – Female pilots, responsibility of a pilot in interpreting expectations in each mission, technological changes. 33:31 – 37:10 - Changes to command and control structure over span of career and into the present day. 37:11 – 38:26 - Transferred to RCAF Staff College as squadron leader, exchange officer in US Airforce in Illinois, worked on operational side of the headquarters. 38:27 – 39:30 - transfer to Washington DC, position in Air Attaché office as Senior Air Operations Wing Commander, communicating with other services in the US - Marines, Navy, and Air Force. 39:31 – 41:00 - NORAD operations, description of time as Deputy Commander of NORAD base in Syracuse NY, in charge of exercises NORAD squadrons were engaged in. 41:01 – 43:20 - Commander of base at Summerside PEI, Ottawa posting as head of Maritime Air Operations. 43:21- 55:19 - Advantages to carrying out missions with unmanned aircraft (Drones). 55:20 – 58:30 - Characteristics required for successful command and control/ piloting. 58:31 – 01:01:10 –other limitations of current training and recruitment methods. 01:01:11 - 01:03:13 – Wrap up and signing of Interview release form.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SL_859
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 15, 2017
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2017. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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