II
May 1949, that Command went ahead with drone aircraft plans.
The Atomic
Energy Commission needed 12 drones and 12 director B-17 aircraft, while
Air Force program required 5 B-17 drones, 3 B-17 directors, 6 TF-80
drones and 5 TF-80 directors ,~°
In August 1949, Major General Carl A. Brandt, Chief of Requirements
at Air Force headquarters, confirmed these requirements with instructions
to the Air Proving Ground Command to supply this support for the 1951
tests on Requirements changed but slightly.
The TF~80 drone and director
aircraft were replaced.by T-33-type aircraft,
Task Group 3., for Operation GREENHOUSE, formed at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida, under the command of Major General Robert M, Lee.
The
Task Group was to operate all Air Force experimental aircraft, provide
weather reconnaissance and forecasting, inter-atoll air transportation,
and operate the airbase facilities om Eniwetok Island.)
The Experimental
Aircraft Unit of the Task Group came under the command of Colonel Thomas
J. Gent, who also commanded the 550th Guided Missiles Wing of the Air
Proving Ground,
Called Task Unit 3.4.2, it wes unique in that it
consisted of regular Air Force organizations redesignated for task
group missions.
The 550th Guided Missiles Wing operated the drone
aircraft for GREENHOUSE, while its 3200th Drone Squadron provided the
electronicssection for the operation.
“The majority of these individuals
had participated in former atomic weapons tests where drone aircraft
were employed," the Task Group final report stated.
"Their experience
was an invaluable guide in organization of this Task Unit and in
35
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