CHAPTER XIII
THE 926TH TEST SIADRON (SAMPLING )
Early proposals for a permanent atomic cloud sampling unit came
almost as soon as sanpling by manned aircraft proved feasible,
Following
the first penetrations of an atomic cloud, Colonel Joseph J. Cody, AFOAT-1,
reported to his organization that manned sampling aircraft could be used
for future nuclear tests and suggested that ". . . a test unit be formed
to do this type of operation,"
Colonel Fackler returning to his duties
with Air “eather Service, drew up a proposal for such an organization in
mid-1951, and it called for C-82 transport aircraft, helicopters, radio
jeeps, B-29 sampling aircraft, cloud trackers, survey aircraft, and other~support aircraft to be combined into a permanent outfit,
Colonel Fackler
coordinated the plan with favorable response, however, funds and manpower
were limited and the Korean war absorbed Air Force considerations.
The 926th Test Squadron (Sampling) was brought into being largely
through the vision of Solonel Fackler,
On 1 August 1951, he transferred
to Kirtland, and became an air controller for Operation PUSTER/JANGLE in
Cctober 1951,
During the series, he outlined a plan for a permanent
unit to General John S. Mills, then commanding the Special Weapons Command,
Following Cperation AUSTER/TANGLE, General Mills considered the
rrorosed test unit further but thought the plan too elaborate for the
Air “erce at that time.
However, he asked for a detailed organizational
plan incorperating the command's cloud sampling responsibilities.
‘Solonel
“Yad Colonel Fackler's planned orsanization been established, it would
have performed the duties which were assiened to tie newly established
hoSOth Test Group (Nuclear), some five years later.
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