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that an aircraft better than the F-8),G be modified for collection of
samples from within the cloud resulting from each of their nuclear test
explosions,

By better, they mean primarily the capability of obtaining

samples at higher altitudes than is feasible with the F-81G,"!
From their studies, key men from Air Force Special Weapons Center
decided that the B-57 was the outstanding airplane to be used in sampling
operations and had set out to get them.”
leaders that the need was genuine

But, persuading the Air Force

was an all-agencies task,

Dr, Norris

E. Bradbury and Dr, Alvin C. Graves of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
sent strong letters listing their requirements for futute tests and
mentioned the unsatisfactory samples obtained during previous tests.”
On 6 June 1955, Dr. William Ogle, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory,
foresaw unsatisfactoryresults during REDWING following announcement that
the number of B-57 aircraft to be made available was being reduced.

*, . . reduction in number of B-57 type aircraft for REDWING sampling is
unsatisfactory to this headquarters," he messaged, ", . . It is difficult
to understand why USAF is not prepared to supply at this date number and
type of aircraft considered by these responsible Air Force agencies as
required to satisfy our mission requirements on minimm basis,

particularlysurprising. - e®

Reduction

And to insure that possible abetting

agencies knew of the reduction, he sent information copies to them. /°

Admitting that little was yet known about the radioactive cloud,
Dr. Duane C, Sewell of the University of California Radiation Laboratory,

wrote to Brigadier General Howell M, Estes, Jr., on 17 May 1954, ". 2.

243

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