IX Force commands other than Air Research and Development Command, Tentatively, the starting date for HARDTACK wag 1 May 1958,” then moved up to 15 April, The first test of a "laboratory device" was set for 1 May, TEAK was to be executed as early as readiness would permit, but no later than 23 April with YUCCA and ORANGE following as closely as possible, On January 6, 1958, Headquarters, Task Group 7.4, Provisional, issued Operation Plan 1-58, "Operation HARDTACK," and its size and thoroughness reflected the vast amount of experience accumulated during earlier tests, The Planning Directive 5-57 had been published, andstated planning - requirements for each of the sections while other organizations eventually followed with detailed planning, Although no B-S7D aircraft were available to the 926th Test Squadron (Sampling), the Strategic Air ZSommand had been directed to furnish six B-57D aircraft with crews and maintenance personnel. The Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Light) received its sampling responsibilities sufficiently early so that its Operations Order 14-58 joined the libraries amassed by the other sections assigned to HARDTACK, Certainly, judging from the attractive, thoroughly prepared, published plans, HARDTACK promised to be a military operation which enjoyed unprecedented smoothness, Organized on 1 October 1957, simultaneously with other elements, wags the Cloud Sampling Unit, Provisional, at Kirtland; the Ultra High Altitude-Very High Altitude Aircraft Element, Provisional; the Air Force Effects Slement, Provisional, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and the Ionosphere Element, Frovisional, at Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Pedford, Massachusetts. All were organized as segments of the Test 177 AFWL/HO WEH -2-003); \4 \