—=—

from the Chief of Staff, USAF.

Colonel James F. Starkey, Commander of

AFSWC's 4930th Test Support Group at Eniwetok, was later named to commend that orgenization when it became the Test Support Unit during the
operational phase of CASTLE.

Personnel were to be assigned this unit

for the diract support of CASTLE.

Lt Colonel James A. Watkins, Commander of the 4925th Test Group
(Atomic)'s 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) at Kirtland, was named Com
mander of the Test Aircraft Unit, which was to consist of elements from

Air Force Special Weapons Center, Military Air Transport Service and
Strategic Air Command, participating primarily for the direct support
of the scientific mission.

These elements were:

F-84G sampling; B-36

sampling; RB+36 control; B-47 effects; B-36 effects and C-54 photography.
The Test Services Unit was to consist of those Military Air Trans-

port Service (MATS) units furnishing services to Task Group 7.4, includ-

ing Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS), Weather Central Element, Weather Reporting Stations, Weather Reconnaissance (Air) Element,

the MATS Terminal at Eniwetok, and Search end Rescue Element, Headquarters, MATS, source of all aircraft and personnel of the Test Services
Unit, designated Lt Colomel Mahlon B, Hammond as commander of that unit

on 18 August 1953.
When General Estes assumed command of the Air Task Group on 1 August
1953, his staff included:

Colonel Earl W. Kesling, Deputy Commander;

Colonel Herschel D. Mahon, Chief of Staff; ColonelRay M. Hawley, Director of Materiel; Lt Colonel Harzy B. Allen, Director of Operations;
Lt Colonel Birdene E. Forrest, Director of Personnel; Lt Colonel Arch
C. Fleming, Comptroller; and Lt Colonel William R. Hanna, Personnel

~

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me...

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