Kwajalein, arrived over the ship and called the USS MT. McKINLEY about
an hour before dawn.
General Kepner called in a few minutes later and
exeellent radio contact between the two planes in the air and the two
ships on the surface was established.
One development, which had been anticipated, was the failure of
radar to identify different aircraft at an altitude of 14,000 feet when
about two (2) miles apart.
Only one “blip” showed up for the two aircrafte
lt was thus established that the usefulness of radar in plotting the
position of several aircraft on test days was limited.
On subsequent mornings, aircraft were directed over the target
until personnel aboard the USS MT. McKINLEY were able to coordinate their
work much more effectively.
The Combat Information Center personnel
developed ways and meana of exercising more effective control over the
aircraft in the area.
Other members of the staff were at their posts
during these early moming exercises, and perfected their operations to
a point where each officer was able to perform his duty without hesitation.
These exercises also gave the “beeper” pilots aboard “Mother
aircraft" an opportunity to develop more accurate control over the drone
aircraft under conditions which were expected on test days.
Practice
landing of drone aircraft on Eniwetok developed further proficiency on
the part of the “beeper” pilots, and all aircraft personnel were given their
first opportunity to take an active part in the early morning exercises.
By the time "P" day had arrived, the process of getting up in the middle
of the night, taking off to the target area, and getting on station for
a simulated “shot" a few moments before dawn, became routine procedures
Seetion VIII
43
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