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Furthermore, 1t was then possible for the Test Base Unit to predict with
a& fair acouracy the dates for movement of augmentation personnel from the
4952nd Support Squadron to the proving ground.
Establisiment of realistic
time phasing of personnel was made imperative in the simmer of 1957 by a
Comptroller Ceneral decision that periods of temporary duty in excess of
180 days would be regarded as unwarranted.
Later, however, by a mutual
agreement between various organizations of the military establisiment,
Joint Task Foree SEVEN was granted authority to extend these periods beyond
180 days for persons for whom no replacements were available and for whom
extension was thus deemed essential.
Although ell the complications of
this comptroller decision were not yet descernible, the greatest problem
was predicted to involve personnel in the supply career field.
Personnel
in supply areas were urgently reauired at Eniwetok in December 1957, seven
months before the test series was expected to be completed; they were also
required throughout the operation and for two months after the close of
the operational phase of HARDTACK for roll-up duties.
Thus anticipating
the problem, the group made early plans to replace the earliest augmentation personnel sent to Eniwetok and to stagger the movement of the remain~
ing required personnel so that an adequate force would be available from
December 1957 throughout most of August 1958.
Personnel requirements for the Test Services Unit were established by
Headquarters Military Air Transport Command, based on planning information
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