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8
regarding an aspect of airlift in the proving ground, advised the 4950th
that the use of Taongi as a third firing site had not yet been either
approved or disapproved.
The letter made note of the fact that aoquisi-
tion of Taongi would modify the HARDTACK operational concept, and sup~
port requirements would have to be revised accordingly.
The problem was eliminated when, on 30 July 1957, Joint Task Force
SEVEN informed the 4950th that Taongi “will not be a firing site on
Cperation HARDIACK."
Therefore, among other extensive problems circum
vented, "the air control area in the Eniwetok Proving Ground will not
be increased over that of Operation REDWING, ® 23
Colonel Kieffer and the 4960th Commander, vith principal members ~
of his staff, visited the Eniwetok Proving Ground in lete March 1957, u,
The group inspected several areas of activity of the 495lst Support
Squadron (Test), including manning, flying and ground safety, control
and maintenance of supplies and equipment, and operational procedures.
Of particular interest to the Commander was the proving ground construction program which appeared to be adequate to suport the needs of
Task Gro.o 7.4,
Airfield rehabilitation, especially runway repeir, was
proceeding satisfactorily, although the runway seemed to be less well
sealed than was the older surface, giving rise to the possibility of
deterioration under the effects of jet blast and constant u<ace,.
A development of major importance in the planning for HAR‘ACK,
iy
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AFWL/ HO
VW