~15ground tests would be Atlas D and Asrock system tests in Oct.-Nov. and the first two quick and dirty air drops in 5-12 Nov. As for high altitude tests, the first one shown is estimated at 15 July 62 at 71 miles altitude, followed by a Blue Gill type and Starfish type test on a 9-18 month time scale. Here is the first indication of a meeting of the "Christmas Tree Working Group," chaired by Bob Miller on 12 Oct. 61. I believe that I may have the notes on this elsewhere but for purposes of the record, in addition to Miller, the attendees were Nordyke and Denton of Livermore, Blossom of LASL, and Huff of ALO. A memo from Miller to Luckett, Chief of the Administrative Branch of the Office of Field Operations of ALO on 23 Oct. begins, "This will advise you that we are in final stages of planning for the executive of a series of air drops to be made in the Pacific (Hilo and Johnston Island areas). plans division (which Miller directs) to finalize these plans." The program and is presently working directly with AFSWC Miller goes on to raise the point that possibly their organization may have to be integrated into and support a Joint Task Force and wishes to know how they stand on this and what planning and preparation might be done in anticipation of such a role. Clearly, Miller was behind the operations directive for Ever Ready which made it seem more of an imminent reality than almost anything else and I can see this man in his new role and in his eagerness perhaps making Ever Ready seem a little more ready than it seemed to outsiders. Even as I say this I am looking at a lengthy and detailed USAF test plan for this “quick and dirty" operation that was prepared by AFSWC and forwarded by McCorkle to Hertford on 23 Oct. which had already been presented to the Air Staff and for which the Air Force was proceeding to be ready for air drops from 15 Nov. on.