PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVES
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of its personnel cnd equipment to the forward area and establishing a main
base at Kwajalein with smaller bases at strategic points in the area.
Most
of these requirements assigned to Task Group 7.4 are of a routine nature
with the exception of operation of drone aircraft, photographic, and
meteorological service.
2.
Planning and preparation in the Zone of Interior.
The TWX from Headquarters, United States Air Force, containing the
first official announcement of Operation SANDSTONE, arrived at Fort Worth
Air Foroe Base 8 October 1947.
This information copy stated that the Army,
Navy and the Air Foroe would support the Atomic Energy Commission in the
proef-testing of atanio weapons in the Western Pacifio area during the
early part of 1948.
It directed the Commanding General, Strategic Air
Command, to organize, man, equip and train a task group for later duty
with a joint task force.
The Commanding Generals of the Air Materiel
Command, the Air Proving Ground Command, and the Air Transport Command
wore directed to provide appropriate assistance.
General MEM flew to Washington for a conference with General Gp
QE and General Gi, and upon his return to Fort Worth announced
to the key members of his staff on 10 October 1947 that he had been requested to submit immediately a “horseback estimate” of supplies and personnel
needed for conducting a project utilizing thirty (30) airoraft for sixty
(60) days.
Although certain definite information was lacking as to the scope
of the operation at that time, the staff submitted new T/0 and E's as
required.
<A party of officers was sent to inspect the island of Kwajalein,
where they found only a small amount of equipment and facilities remaining
Section,VIII
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