logical service to be provided during the tests should approach the absolute in dependability. Communications would be required to furnish a secure radio-teleype network with
stations at the airfields, firing control station, bomb assembly ship, and operational and
technical headquarters in addition to the usual communications facilities available to the
Armed Services.
Ground support would be necessary for construction of sites, guarantee of security,
operation of base facilities, etc. Necessary naval participation by forces both ashore and
afloat would include ships for security and logistics, a bomb assembly ship, a laboratory
ship, a command ship and other surface craft adaptable to the peculiar character of the
project. Air support would be required to furnish drone aircraft for air sample collection,
overseas air transportation for personnel and equipment, air photographic operations, and
meteorological reconnaissance.
Armed Forces Special Weapons Project would be called upon to furnish senior personnel and trained groups to assist in handling and assembling the atomic bombs. Instrumentation and technical supervision would be responsibilities of the Atomic Energy Commission. The requirements of radiological safety would have to be determined. An organizational structure for the force charged with the conduct of the tests would have to be developed in a manner which would definitely fix responsibility for success or failure, yet
which would provide the flexibility required in any scientific undertaking of great magnitude.
Upon these premises was based the task confronting General Hull and the ProofTest Committee in early October of 1947. Basically, these problems confronted the Committee for immediate solution:
1. Formation of a Joint Staff.
2. Formulation of a basic plan for presentation to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
3. Commence formation of a Task Force organization.
4. Determination of the test site.
The attack on these problems went on simultaneously as the Joint Staff came into being. Brigadier General Claude B. Ferenbaugh joined as Chief of Staff on 30 September,
and Rear Admiral Augustus J. Wellings joined as J-4 at the same time. Lt. Col. Curtis J.
Herrick reported at the time as assistant to Admiral Wellings. On 3 October Colonel
Thomas J. Sands and Lt. Col. Peter Schmick reported as J-2 and J-1, respectively. Col.
David H. Tulley reported as Staff Engineer on the same date. Lt. Col. Garlen R. Bryant
reported at the same time as Adjutant General. First member of the J-3 section to report
was Lt. Col. J. K. Woolnough on 9 October.
Lt. Col. Alfred D. Starbird had accompanied General Hull from Oahu, T. H., on 25
September and was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff. Assembly of key staff members
was completed with the arrival of Major General (then Brigadier General) John DeF.
Barker on 14 October as J-3.
Sufficient staff was available by 8 October to permit General Hull to set 15 October as
the target date for presentation of the Joint Proof-Test Committee basic plan to the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
The stated purpose of this paper, as drafted, was to recommend to the Joint Chiefs of
Staff the policies and outline plan for the organization and operation of the Joint Task
Force to conduct proof-tests of atomic weapons. In addition, General Hull directed that
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