Po
In line with Taschek's feelings, a 14 tak Coeting of the Vela Hotel Working
Group had determined that correction to the development plan might include, among
other things, the recommendation to use piggy-back flights for low altitude —_—
measurements (ostensibly in contrast to devoted rocket vehicles).
Here is an interesting memo from Gen. George Duncan, Commander of JTF-7,
on 17 Mar. 60 to Admiral Parker of DASA on the subject of what the Task Force
ren
.
can do in their present status for the indefinite future.
ct
The principis
C
assumption is that the capability of resuming tests in the atmosphere at
EPG
within 12 months be retained.
Duncan, however, feels that that assumption .
should be abandoned in light of recent guidance and that the role of the Task
Force should be reexamined to have a new pattern of organization and responsibilite
substantially altered.
Duncan suggests that the EPG should be essentially
' released from even the caretaker status for future testing after appropriate
negotiations with the AEC to drop this requirement, resulting in the dropping
by JTF~7 of any support responsibilities for those facilities.
Furthermore
he believes that the Task Force should be phased down over a period of the
next 15 months (by 30 June 61) to a planning staff of DASA.
He further
suggests that JTF-7, while a staff section of DASA be located at Sandia
reporting directly to the Chief of DASA; in this location, the Task Force
would be able to work closely with the Field Agencies responsible for developing
test requirements.
be discontinued.
Furthermore he recommends that Task Groups 7.3 and 7.4
Finally he suggests that JTF-7 be given the the responsibility
for providing support to the NTS.
All of these recommendations, suggestions
for change, etc. are part of his proposal which will be one of the proposals
considered by a study group to study the future of the Joint Task Force
apparently immediately.