Operation IVY and offered to supply a list of names, 15 Later, in September 1953, scientist Plank attempted to get several IVY sampler pilots from the8th Air Force but the Strategic Air Command could. not release them for CASTLE, Later, the Strategic Air Command and the Air Defense Command were to supply eight F-8) pilots each to train as cloud sampler pilots with the 926th and to accompany the squadron to Eniwetok, budget problems, This caused some Bach militery organization participating in the test series had to stand the costof its participating unit. However, the two commands argued against paying the temporary duty costs of their eight pilots for . CASTLE because the requirements had been levied on them too late to include these costs in their fiscal year_195h budget. Task Group Tels therefore, asked the Joint Task Force for money, which in turn asked Air Force headquarters for the funds, Washington, in turn, decided that the Air Research and Development Command should foot the bill. Colonel Earl W, Kesling, who ‘replaced Colonel Gavin as deputy commander for overseas tests at Center, reported that the Air Research and Development Command refused to pay these costs and the Special Weapons Center did not have the money, Hence, Task Force SEVEN planned to pay the expenses under protest, then would ask for reimbursement later, However, Air Force headquarters ordered pilots transferred to the 926th Test Squadron (Sampling) on a permanent change of station, Tris -actually returned the burden to the Air Force Special Weapons center, ” The officer strength of the 926th Test Squadron built up during the first months of 1953, In August and September, there were 20 officers assigned to the squadron. In September 1953, however, 10 officers were 100 APWLIHO SWEH-2-003), \A ty ee