4 25 greater than we have been able to conduct in the same period in the limited facilities presently available to us for underground testing. Thus, by limiting ourselves to underground testing our possible relative gains vs the Soviets in this field are as a consequence also limited. Atmospheric testing would relieve this limitation on the number and types of tests that can be conducted. In addition to the more rapid rate of progress through atmospheric testing, it is important to note that much needed information on effects and operational behavior of weapons systems could be gained only through atmospheric testing. Proof tests of large yield weapons and operational tests of entire weapons systems cannot be conducted underground. Atmospheric tests would permit gathering important effects information relating to anti intercontinental ballistic missiles. In this area we do not believe that conclusive information can be gained through underground tests alone. Important weapons developments necessitating large yield tests cannot be achieved in the present state of technology with underground tests." On 15 November Gen. Betts sent a memorandum to Chairman Seaborg on the subject of the availability of sampling aircraft. In part the letter states that it is felt that there is sufficient B57 aircraft with the low altitude capability to meet those needs. However, the BS7D aircraft which are the only available sampler aircraft to meet our high altitude sampling needs are in a marginal status as to the number of aircraft to meet our requirements. There are in fact 4 B57D's available to the AEC but in fact only 3 of these are useable. There are 13 other B57D's in the Air Force inventory and the following is true of these: ''4 are assigned to the Air Defense Command for a high priority mission, 6 are in Europe extensively modified for a high priority mission there, and 3 are assigned to the Air Force Systems Command. The 3 assigned to Systems Command might be available, providing they have not been modified to the extent they are unsuitabie for sampling purposes. A determination would have to be made, of course, of the relative priority our mission vs. that to which they are assigned in the event we require more than the 3 BS7D's now on hand.'' It is thus clear that there is some question as of November 15 as to the readiness of the Air Force to meet the AEC's atmospheric test sampling needs. A lengthy TWX dated 14 November from ALO to Gen. Betts with info copies to the labs is a preliminary coverage of the meeting in Albuquerque of 13 November attended by the principals from the various tabs as well as Gen. Betts and others on the subject of atmospheric test resumption. The TWX contains a lengthy event list from each lab, LASL listing 15 events plus certain specific statements concerning the conduct of these events, and LRL lists about 26 different events as well as the specifics of their position relating to atmospheric testing. Various other details of the test site requirements, diagnostic requirements, etc., are contained in this TWX as well as a listing of the desired DoD program which includes 3 detonations in the Fishbowl series including Starfish at 400 kilometers, Kingfish and Biveaill, as well as one near surface the alternative of Johnston and Hilo. “i shot at the NTS which is titled Small Boy. As to a choice of test sites the sites to be considered in order of desirablity are first, Enivetok/Bikini second Christmas Island.and third Johnston Island and/or Hilo. It is noted that the concensus shows that politically Eniwetok and Bikini are essentially not feasible and that planning should be directed to Christmas Island with x ta GF é 3 -o