Ltr, Hq 4950th Test Group (N), SWS, 11 Apr 57, "Staff Visit to Eniwetok,

24 Mar-5 Apr 57", cont'd

visic it has been determined that late March and early April errivals

will bring the 4951st to something in excess of 80% manning and the situa-

tion will continue to improve rapidly. Action has been taken to send
certain critically required personnel to the 4951st on a TDY basis from

Kirtland,

,

b.

The impact of proposed manpower cuts was discussed.

The

4951st was required to surrender 18 spaces as their proper share of the
streneth reductions levied on AFSWC by Headquarters ARDC, At the time
the cut was levied it was agreed that a Manpower Survey would be conducted during this staff visit to determine if the cuts were feasible.
Although time did not permit a complete survey, representatives of the

Manpower Branch, DCS/0, AFSWC, did agree that a cut of this magnitude

did net seem feasible,

Instead they propose that we should discontinue

operation of the Utility (crash boat) Boat Section and that the ten (10)
spaces now filled by marine type personnel should te converted to other

critically needed skills, Additionally, the Center would absorb a 4-space
cut elsewhere, This means that the 495l1st would lose its POL officer and

two (2) airmen spaces but would gain ten (10) airmen spaces through the

conversion to other AFSC's of the boat personnel. This action, of course;
is contingent upon the approval of the Commander, AFSWC, Action will be

taken in the immediate future to present the problem for his consideration,

ce. The Unit's Rest and Relaxation policy was discussed with the
Commander, 4951st and the Commander, TG 7.2, Besed upon their mtual
agreement that several (7 to be exact) days R&R in Japan often meant

*hat the individual was often absent for as many as 45 days, and that the

venereal iisease rate among such personnel is inordinately high, the
Commander, 4951st was directed to terminate R&R in Japan for his personnel.
A letter will be prepared on this subject to JTF SEVEN, through AFSWC,

d. Rotation dates were discussed for the Commander, 4951st.
It was agreed that Lt. Colonel Cox's tour should terminate 1 July 1957,

and that Lt, Colonel Hedrick should report for duty 31 August 1957.
During the intervening time Major Lane will act as Commander. The objective here is to assure the rotation of the Commander during a non-test

period.

e.

The need to provide an executive-type individual to assist

the Commander was discussed,

It was apreed that the "front office™ work

load of the commander is such that he needs more essistance than is provieed by a non-rated adjutant. It seems extrenely desirable that the
replacenent for the present adjutant should be a rated officer who is
next senior to the commander so that this individual could assume command
during temporary absences of the commander,
AFWL/ HQ
f.

A requirement for four (4) basic (010) airmen was established

for the 495lst.
These personnel are required for general duty work for
which the Unit is responsible; i.°., barracks orderly, general detail
work, sandblast machine operators, etc,
>

Lonel

72-2

Select target paragraph3