VIII
Sampling Plans

The tentative plans called for eleven F-8)G and six B-57 samplers,
including four T-33 aircraft from the Air National Guard,
firm throughout planning period and appeared in the above.

This list remained
The Cperation

Plan stated, ". . . gaseous and particulate samples of PLUMBBOB events will
be collected by aircraft and aircrews provided by the 926th Test Squadron

(Sampling)."

Major Richard S. Bounds, the commander, was responsible for

the sampling mission.

His specific responsibilities included (1) briefing

aircrews, mission execution, and all airborne sampler activity and control,

and (2)

handling of all samples, decontamination, and adherence to safety

procedures,

:

As usual, the sampler pilots, immediately after takeoff from Indian
Springs, came under the control of the air operations at the Nevada Test

Site control point.

They were directed to the B-57B sampler control aircraft.

When visual contact was made with the control B-57, the sampler pilot
received instructions from the scientific advisor aboard, Following
directions on cloud penetrationa. When the mission was completed, the

,

sampler pilot received vectoring back to Indian Springs, where he landed,
By now, this method of operation had become standard and routine for the

L926th.
Sampling missions flown by the Air Netional Guard were unique,

however,

On 29 November 1956, captain Joseph Price, from AFOAT-1 (Office

of the Assistant for Atomic Energy), visited the Air Force Special Weapons

Senter to discuss sampler training for Air National Guard pilots,

The

proposed program would train Air National Quard personnel for duties they

167

AFWL/HO

SWEH~2-0034

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