The role of the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (66th TRW) was to photograph targets, such as missile sites, rail centres and bridges, at low level, before and after they were attacked, and monitor the movement of ground forces.
Aircraft were kept on Alert to support the Victor Alert Mission of USAF nuclear-capable fighter-bombers based elsewhere in the UK.
The French Government was concerned about its lack of control of American nuclear-capable forces based in France. France announced that it would leave NATO in 1966 and all USAF bases in France would close. In September 1966 the 17th and 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons (TRS) of the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (66th TRW) arrived at RAF Upper Heyford from Laon.
The 66th TRW consisted of the 17th and 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons (TRS).
The 66th TRW operated the McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo at Upper Heyford until 1969. The Voodoo had a top speed of Mach 1.57 (1205 mph/ 1940 kph). It was unarmed.
In 1967 the 18th TRS won the prestigious Royal Flush XII NATO competition for low-level photography of three targets. The missions were timed and the quality of the photographs assessed.
On 12 May 1969 Major Sipes took off in RF-101C Voodoo 56-0206 at 10:22 am for Ramstein airbase in Germany to take part in a training exercise for the NATO Royal Flush photo reconnaissance competition.
Shortly after take-off both engines malfunctioned, possibly due to a fuel problem. Sipes choose not to eject and force landed in a barley field at Brasenose Farm, Steeple Aston. The Voodoo caught fire after hitting a sycamore tree.
“By remaining with his RF-101 Voodoo for an attempted landing after material failure resulted in power loss on take-off Major Sipes sacrificed his life but ensured the safety of the people and village of Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire”.
Lieutenant-Colonel Richard T White, 18th TRS
The 17th TRS re-equipped with the McDonnell-Douglas RF-4C Phantom in 1969.
“The prime advantage the RF-4 had over the RF-101 other than speed and manoeuvrability, was the radar and a helpful navigator particularly for night photography. The radar in the RF-4 and a navigator trained to use it made it easier to find targets in poor weather conditions. The RF-101 was a pilot only and flying in the clouds was not an option if finding a target was necessary to complete the mission“.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert A Gould.
In December 1969 the 66th TRW left RAF Upper Heyford to make way for the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing from RAF Wethersfield and RAF Woodbridge.
Visit the RAF Upper Heyford Heritage Centre to discover more about the ‘Recce Pukes’ of the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing.