Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP), composed of per- sonnel of the three Armed Services, was activated January 1, 1947, to assume certain residual functions of the Manhattan Engineer District and to assure continuity of technical military interest in atomic weapons, , AFSWP is commanded by Major General Alvin R. Luedecke, U. S. Air Force. Brigadier General Charles E,. Hoy, U. S. Army, and Rear Admiral Horacio Rivero, U. S. Navy are deputies, ters is in Washington, D. C. AFSWP Headquar- Field Command, AFSWP, located at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, is commanded by Rear Admiral Frank O'Beirne, U. S. Navy. The broad mission of AFSWP is planning specified te¢hnical services to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marine Corps in the military application of atomic energy, with Field Command providing liaison with AEC and its laboratories in the development of nuclear weapons; planning and supervising the conduct of weapons effects tests, and providing atomic weapons training to military personnel. Early in the program for testing nuclear devices and weapons, AFSWP was charged with the responsibility for planning, and integrating with the AEC, military participation in full-scale tests. After the Nevada Site was activated, the planning responsibility was broadened to include conducting experimental programs of primary concern to the Armed Forces, and coordinating other phases of military participation and of assistance to the AEC. Continental test responsibilities assigned to Field Command, AFSWP, are handled by its Weapons Effects Test Group, directed by Colonel Hershell E. Parsons, U. S. Air Force. Air Force Special Weapons Center (AFSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, became a part of the Air Research and Development Command on April 1, 1952, The Center is commanded by Brigadier General William M. Canterbury. , Research work done at AFSWC principally is of an applied type aimed at solutions to particular problems, The Center's principal day to day job, which involves developmental and test activities, is the proper marriage of nuclear warheads to Air Force weapons, and nuclear weapons tosaircraft. This work involves harmonizing the views of aircraft and weapons manufacturers with Air Force operational requirements. The Center works in close cooperation with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, AEC, Sandia Corporation, and aircraft manufacturers, as well as with other Air Force organizations in carrying out its broad role of assuring that vital nuclear weapons research and development receive proper emphasis in the accomplishment of the Air Force mission. COF D975 - 26 < Laigg EF \/