vVIT

19.

Ltr., Col, Herschel D, Mahon, DCS/O, AFSWC, to Col, David 0. Byars,

Jro, JTF-7, nds, Subj,: Memorandum for the Record ~- The Responsibility
for Control of Aircraft in the Pacific Proving Ground and Safe
Positioning, see App.
Ltr,, Brig. Gen, Howell M. Estes, Jr., to Brig. Gen. William M,

Cantertury, Cmdr., AFSWC, 27 May 1955, subj,: WADC Participation in
REDWING, see App.

21.

Ibid,

22,

Ltr., Lt. Col, Blea W. Bowen, Asst. CofS, DOD, to Dir, of R&D, Hq.,

USAF, Attn,: Col, D. I. Prickett, 10 Apr. 1957, subj.: Weapons Effects

Tests Aircraft Positioning Committee, see App.; lst ind., Col. B. R.

Lawrence, Asst. Dir. of R&D, DCS/D, to Ch., AFSWP, 20 Jun. 1957,
(ltr., Sol. John S, Sanmel, Cmdr., 950th TG(N), to Cmdr., AFSWC,
13 Nov, 1956, subj.: Positioning Aircraft.) see App,

"Although the

responsibility for safe-positioning of aircraft in atomic tests,"

Colonel Norair M. Lulejian, Chief, Nuclear Applications Division,

Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command, wrote on 19 July

1957, "has not been definitely established, the inclosed correspondence

is forwarded for your information." His letter was addressed to
Commander, Wright Air Development Center,
The copies of correspondence which he included revealed the
interservice struggle for positions of resposibility, Writing for

the Chief, Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Lieutenant Colonel
Elea G. Bowen, stated, "It has been further established that the sole
responsibility for the selection of theaircraft position and the

safety of the position lies final responsibility for determining

that the positioning of all participating aircraft was safe,"

This

was made a matter of record in a document, dated 21 January 1955,
"Aircraft Operations---TEAPOT," prepared by Donald G, Leehy,

Manager, Santa Fe Operations Office. Subsequently, for Operation
REDWING, although not spelled out in quite as much detail, the air
operational commander

(TG 7.4) was given the overall responsibility

for the safe positioning of test and other aircraft (para 2d (25),
CJTF SEVEN Planning Directive, Operation REDWING).

was restated in the JTF SEVEN operation plan.

236

2h.
25.

.

Ltr., Brig. Gen. Canterbury, to Cmdr., ARDC, 13 Nov, 1956, subj.:

Safe Positfoning of Aircraft, see App.

Ltr., Brig. Gen, Canterbury, to Cmdr., ARDC, et al,, 25Jan, 1957,

subj.: Positioning of Aircraft Supporting Nuclear Tests,-seeApp.

Ibid.$ lst Ind., (ltr. Col. A. D. Fallows, Asst. Omd. Adj., Ha.,

ADC, to Cmdr., AFSWC, 15 Mar, 1957; ltr., RAdm, E. Hall Hanlon, Cmdr.,
JTF-7, to Cmdr., AFSWC, 1h Mar, 1957, subj.: Positioning of Aircraft
156

APWUHC

This responsibility

SWEH «2-003

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ae

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