With regard to the forces to be maintained in a standby status, the appropriate members of the MLC stated that the Air Force component would maintain an experienced nucleus of approxi- mately 50% present strength; that the Navy component would drop to &@ small nucleus of staff officers, from which it would be neces - sary to build up anew for a spring test; and that the Army component would retain adequate forces in a standby status for the spring test. Ze |General Fields cautioned again that this latter test is only a possibility and definitely not a probability, It was noted that the Executive Agency should be advised to plan for a test in the spring of 1954 and to maintain an emergency capability for a test in the fall of 1953. Mr. Dean and Mr. Boyer stated that a letter to the DOD making a formal recommendation for the postpenement of CASTLE ‘is forthcoming and that it will request that ‘the DOD provide tor & possible move-up of the date of the test. a : . wpepeDMEET ae ok BeatAd RATION a 21% =