DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS 42D AIR BASE WING (AU)
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE ALABAMA
42 CS/CC
170 West Selfridge Street
Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6610
Dale Goudie
[ Address deleted by CUFON ]
Seattle WA 981XX
Dear Mr. Goudie
We have processed your Freedom of Information Act request dated 27 January 2000. The information you requested is releasable and a copy is enclosed.
There is no charge for processing this request since assessable fees are less than $15.00.
Sincerely
/S/ John R. Taglieri
JOHN R. TAGLIERI, USAF
Commander
Attachment:
AFR 55-88
Golden Legacy, Boundless Future... Your Nation’s Air Force
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AIR FORCE REGULATION DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
NO. 55-88 Washington,
13 May 1966
{ S/S by AFM 55-11, 20 May 68 }
AFR 55-88
OPERATIONS
COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS REPORTING VITAL
INTELLIGENCE SIGHTINGS (CIRVIS)
This regulation states Air Force responsibilities and training requirements for peacetime reporting of vital intelligence sightings prescribed by JANAP 146 directives, "Canadian-United States Communications Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings."
1. What Sightings Will Be Reported. Air Force personnel will report by rapid communication procedures all unidentifiable, suspicious, or hostile land, air, or seaborne traffic which - because of its nature, course, or actions - must be considered a threat to the security of the US or Canada. Such reporting will serve to extend the early warning defense system for the US and Canada.
2. What CIRVIS Reports Are Required. The type of land, sea, or airborne traffic which should be reported, and when it must be reported, are defined in JANAP 146 directives. They prescribe the following CIRVIS reporting:
a. The initial CIRVIS report - issued while the pilot is airborne, (or, as warranted, upon landing) or by the land observer as soon as practicable. Additional CIRVIS reports will be made if situation requires it, and each one should refer to the initial report to permit identification with the original sighting.
b. The CIRVIS cancellation report - issued by the observer if a previously reported sighting is positively identified as friendly or has been erroneously reported.
c. The CIRVIS post-landing report- issued by the pilot when he lands, if he has made an airborne report. It must cite the airborne report(s) issued. If the landing is not made in Canadian or United States territory the report should be made to the nearest Canadian or United States military or diplomatic representative. Post-landing reports should be addressed to CINCNORAD, Ent AFB, Colorado, or Headquarters Northern NORAD Region, North Bay, Ontario, whichever is the more convenient.
d. The CIRVIS evaluation report - submitted by each addressee of the above CIRVIS reports. It will include negative or other information as warranted, and will be submitted promptly to keep all message addressees fully informed during the evaluation phase. All investigative measures and evaluation processes instituted by the addressee must be consistent with existing procedures, and reported according to JANAP 146 (E), March1966.
3. Addressees for CIRVIS Reports. Timeliness is paramount in CIRVIS reporting. Therefore, observers should transmit these reports as soon as possible. FLASH precedence is authorized. Reports should be transmitted to any available United States or Canadian military or civil air / ground communications facility. That facility will rapidly process the reports as prescribed by JANAP 146 directives, and add the addressees as given below.
a.
If the sighting is
in an oversea area, the addressees will be:
(1) CSAF (1st line of text For: AFXOPX)
(2) CINCNORAD
(3) CINCSAC
(4) As prescribed by area commanders. Normally, the addressees are the operating service commands concerned.
b. If the sighting is within the North American continent or within waters bordering the North American continent (Atlantic Ocean to territorial limits of Europe; Pacific Ocean to the territorial limits of Hawaii), the addressees will be:
(1) The commander of the nearest NORAD organization or Air Defense Command Unit.
(2) CINCNORAD
(3) CINCSAC
(4) CSAF (1st line of text For: AFXOPX)
(5) FTD WPAFB OHIO
(6) CANAIRDEF
(7) NANRHQ
(8) The appropriate Maritime Commander in command:
(a) CANMARCOM
(b) CANMARPAC
(9) The appropriate Sea Frontier Command:
(a) COMWESTSEARON
(b) COMEASTSEAFRON
(10) The appropriate Antisubmarine Force Commander:
(a) COMASWFORLANT
(b) COMASWFORPAC
(11) The operating service commands of an overseas area will be added as addressees if the direction of travel of the object is toward an oversea area.
4. Training Requirement:
a. A realistic training program will be conducted for crew members, pilots and other personnel, who must submit timely and accurate CIRVIS reports to the defense elements of the Armed Forces. However, this training program will not take precedence over the primary missions of the commands.
b. Communications personnel will be trained in the procedures for processing CIRVIS reports as established by the JANAP 146 directives, and as prescribed by Air Force Communication Service (AFCS).
5. Air Force Responsibility:
a. Each major commander will insure compliance with this directive within his command.
b. The Director of Operations, DCS/Plans and Operations, HQ USAF, is responsible for the over-all monitoring of all CIRVIS reporting. This responsibility includes supervision and coordination of all USAF and non-USAF activities concerned with CIRVIS that pertain to training, operational procedures, standardization of reporting procedures, and evaluating reports. It also includes appropriate coordination with CINCNORAD and dissemination of CIRVIS reports to appropriate agencies in the Washington, D.C., area.
6. Reporting From Commercial Flights. The Commander, MAC, will discharge the Air Force responsibility for compliance with all JANAP 146 directives that concern regularly scheduled and non-scheduled United States commercial air lines. This includes information and guidance mutually acceptable to the air carrier and to MAC.
7. Reporting From Civil Air Patrol Flights. The Commander, Civil Air Patrol, will conduct whatever training is required to insure that CAP pilots and aircrew personnel are qualified to perform effective CIRVIS reporting.
This regulation supersedes AFR 55-88, 8 January 1965.
OPR: AFXOPXS
DISTRIBUTION: S
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
OFFICIAL
R. J. PUGH
Co1onel, USAF
Director of Administrative Services
J. P. McCONNELL
General, U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff