phase, the group headquarters with their subordinate units were comprised of 986
personnel, whereas Task Croup 7.4 totaled a peak strength of 2,262 persons at the
EPG.
“After the fall of 1958 and continuing through the moratorium, the 4950th
Test Group
(nuclear) was reduced in strength and capability until finally discontinued
on 16 Aug. 1961."
Since testing has begun at the NTS in Sept., AFWSC has reached
into their resources and provided a small air support group at Nevada which has
been satisfactory for the minimal requirements there to date.
AFSWC proposes as
a first step for Air Force support testing, the establishment of a "Nuclear Test
Mission Element" within AFSWC which would contain 11 officers, 8 airmen, and 1
civilian for a total of 20.
JF
.
The next step to follow immediately. would be to augment
this element with an Air Force support group at the NTS which is shown to have a
total of 22 people.
It is further stated that "with some augmentation this mission
element could assume control of a force such as contemplated for Blue Straw, and
conduct the operation.
With some greater augmentation, it could become a provisional
air task group under a Joint Task Force."
The Blue Straw support task group is
shown at a level of 65 personnel, and an air task group as part of a Joint Task
Force on an established air base is shown as requiring about 85 personnel.
An
air task group to support JTF-8 which would not be located on an established Air
Force Base would require a much greater number of personnel to provide the base
support functions.
The second attached study outlines the requirements for an additional B-52
drop aircraft over the the two that were being prepared for Ever Ready, additional
aircraft for support of the NTS requirements, and personnel to support these aircraft
as well as the two C-130 aircraft to be used for diagnostics, all to be supported
by Kirtland Air Force Base.