VIT continued throughout the test series and a considerable number of remedies were attempted on the spot. efficiency of sampling crews; These failures lowered the some managed through visual guidance; others aborted when ground control failed at critical times 2° Flying safety records for the squadron were at its usual high standards, Although. a landing incident removed a B-57B from operational status from 29 March 1955 until 22 May of that year, its absence from the sampling force did not adversely effect the sampling mission. -> The most serious aircraft accident. during REDWING involved a sampling B-57B, For on 18 May 1955, the pilot of the B-S7B, in climbing to 26,000 feet to avoid rain clouds, felt a heavyexplosion and blinding flash within his craft. Both fire warning lights immediately flashed and the pilot instructed his observer to eject. Rough seas delayed the rescue of the pilot for some four hours; LACROSSE. The shot schedule for REDWING was changed in late April to provide for firing LACROSSE on 29 April and CHEROKEE on 8 May, After two cancellations, LACROSSE finally detonated at 0625hours, 5 May.)? Although 20 aircraft originally were scheduled to take part, 25 finally composed the array but in the end the B-66 aborted. Added to the final array were a B-57, a B-57 sampler, a B-57, and three P2V's,. In all, *netailed discussion of the problems which arose and steps recommended during later tests can be found in the Final Report, Operation REDWING, by Task Group 7. Commander. 1L6 SWEH -2 -0034, 45 |b jn.