IT
Department of Defense had test data questions to be answered before
the fall of 1952 overseas Operation IVY,
The new series was called
Operation TUMBLER/SNAPPER with TUMBLER tests supplying weapons effects
information to the Department of Defense, while the SNAPPER tests would
answer weapon design questions for the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory,"
Lieutenant Colonel Kesling was again in charge of planning,
In January
1952, Colonel Osmund d, Ritland, commanding officer of the 925th Test
Group (Atomic), appointed Lieutenant Colonel Fackler the special projects
officer,
Colonel Fackler,.therefore, had the duty of drawing up the
Group's operational plan for TUMBLER/SNAPPER,
He also headed the Test
Aircraft Unit for the tests, afid served as the air operations officer,
Assisting Colonel Fackler at the control point were Captain Dominic F,
Menza and Master Sergeant Jerome H. Day, both of the 925th Test Group
(Atomic) uH
During previous operations the Special Weapons Command had jurisdiction of all military participation in continental testing.
During
planning TUMBLER/SNAPPER, the Department of Defense assigned to the
Armed Forces Special Weapons Project this functionand the Special
Weapons Command was made responsible for Air Force participation,U?
Aircraft and Aircrews for Sampling,
Personnel from the Los Alamos
Scientific Laboratory approved of the sampling accomplished by T-33
aircraft,
In December 1951, Dr. Graves wrote General Mills asking
that jet aircraft be used for all future sampling missions in Nevada,
At the same time, however, Dr, Graves suggested aircraft with more
48
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