ayuu CR 13 February France explodes atomic bomb in Sahara, CR becoming fourth atomic power. A 15 Februaryreply from Reeco to the AEC following their authorization to begin digging work for the four LRL tunnel sites notes that the readiness dates previously discussed were based ona 1 February authorization and since 15 days have passed since then, the only way to meet those schedules is at the cost of an additional 150 thousand dollars for premium work hours. Furthermore, the readiness date for U12E03 of 15 June in the AEC authorization is assumed to be an error based on past discussions and they are assuming that the 15 July readiness date was intended. The 510 thousand dollars allotted for expansion of the Area 12 Campis noted as being sufficient if arrangements are made between the AEC and the 6th Army for loan from ‘ Camp Desert Rock of necessary structures and equipme:i.t to construct | . the additional temporary facilities. Without such loan, the use of "transahomes'"! will probably reach a total‘cost of approximately 800 thousand dollars. Further Reeconotes that although they-were told to expend the funds within fiscal year 1960, ; the latest completion date is actually 25 July or fiscal year 1961 and they request clarification. ; . A 15 February letter from Headquarters ARDC to Headquarters Air Force . ern on the subject of maintenance and capability to conduct overseas tests notes among other things that there are six B-57D aircraft modified for high altitude cloud sampling. 24 k DG Of these, one was destroyed ina crash, three are assigned to ADC and the other two are no longer in the active Air Force Inventory; no information is.available on the present capability of the three remaining B aircraft to adequately accomplish the high altitude cloud sampling requirement. Notes in a file entitled, "Pod Recovery Test" indicate that JTF-7 and in particular Task Group 7.3 supported a series of tests off the Florida Cv Coast in Feb, and Mar. of 1960 which evaluated various methods of locating and recovering pods. This would be a rehearsal and a way of testing various configurations for recovering pods which are planned to be ejected from missiles at high altitudes where their impact points may be widely separated on the open sea. This is in relation to the plans for Overation Willow. _