a
Bafety check and this information was once again relayed
to
°
Following the detonation, the FJ-4s and A4Ds were cleared to return to base and
land, their requirements having been met.
The B-52 remained airborne for
approximately another hour and thirty minutes
ing the detonation.
to complete its testing follow-
Starting at H plus fifty-five minutes and following at
fifteen minute intervals, three (3) B-57 sampler aircraft took off.
The
Air Operations Center vectored them to the airborne Sampler Controller
who then assumed control and directed the aircraft in their penetrations
of the nuclear cloud.
As each aircraft collected its required sample,
the Controller released them to the controller in the AOC who expedited
their return to the airfield to prevent any unnecessary radiation exposure.
The tower gave landing priority to the sampling aircraft and after landing,
cleared them to the sample recovery area.
quickly evacuated from the aircraft.
In this area, the aircrew waa
The filter paper was then removed
by sample recovery personnel and placed in lead "pigs" for return te the
labratories in the ZI.
After all the sampler aircraft and the controller
had landed, the SA-16 aircraft was cleared to land.
A report to the Joint
Task Force Command Post was made by the Air Operations Center when ali
aircraft were safely on the ground.
After landing, all effects and
sampling aircrews were debriefed by the Test Aircraft Unit Operations Officer,
and on the following day a critique was held for all aircrews and responsible
ground agencies to determine problem areas generated by the event.
See
Figures 27 and 28 for photographs of the mission control boards in the
Air Operations Center.
AFWL/HO
“ON
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152