PRIVACYACT MATERIAL REMOVED
20 March 1948.
The entire movement of Task Group 7.4 was accomplished
without any great variation in the plan devised, but a few of the aircraft
were delayed because of inclement weather and some difficulty in unloading
cargo at Kwajalein was encountered.
In less than two weeks at Kwajalein,
over three and one-half million pounds of supplies and equipment were
handled by the Task Group in unloading the three main supply vessels.
Many
problems which are normal for an operation ofthis kind were encountered,
such ass
Loss of steck record ecards, no supply identification, and im-
properly marked boxes.
Within a few days after all of this material was
unloaded at Kwajalein, the work of rehabilitating the island had progressed
to a point where a distinct improvement had been made in its appearance.
Se
Drone Aircraft Requirement.
The first indication that the lst Experimental Guided Missiles Group
would be called upon to furnish a drone unit in an operation similar to
CROSSROADS was received from Genera] WEMUUR, Chief of the Guided
Missiles Division, Headquarters, United States Air Force, in his letter
of 14 July 1947, at which time he requested information as to the capabilities of this unit to train and make available either B-17 or B29
airoraft for an operation of this type.
A complete analysis of the two
types of aircraft for drone operation was presented, with the conclusion
that the B-29 airoraft would require approximately two years to develop
the necessary engineering and techniques to give the same proficiency as
was available with B-l7 aircraft. On 15 August 1947, General RD
held a conference with Colonel > at which ways and means of augmenting the Ist Experimental Guided Missiles Group were discussed.
This first
conference planned the operation of ten (10) drones and six (6) Mothers,
Santion VIII
56
presi
;
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED