xXTIT
was to be continued, he wrote, with at least two test series each year,
Pretest planning and practice ahd post-test development work would keep
the unit occupied on a continuous, full-time basis.”
Air Force headquarters approved the sampling unit and, on 27 February
1953, the Air Research and Development Command issued General Order Number
25, establishing the ho26th Test Squadron (Sampling) and assigning it to
the 925th Test croup{Atonic). The squadron was to be organized on 1
April 1983.77
The order called for 2) officers and 121 airmen, --
On 1 April 1953, Major-Hebert W. McQuown, Assistant Chief of the
Materiel Division, 925th Test Group (Atomic), took on the added duty of
squadron commander,
During April,May,-and June 1953, while the Center
engaged in support of Operation UPSHOT/KNOTHOLE, the growth of the 926th
was slow,
Major McQuown worked to secure mem for the squadron's staff
and in preparing a training program to be conducted following the test.
The major planned to prganize and man the squadron between June and
September 1953, while the sampler aircraft were undergoing wiring modifications,
Then, from October 1953 to about January 195h, the new squadron
would undergo an intensive training orogram, >
/
By the middle of May 1953, there were nine officers with Major
McQuown commanding.
Maintenance Officer.
Captain Claiborne F, Bickham was the Aircraft
In the Operations Branch, Pilot Training Program,
were Captain Malcolm S. Bounds, Captain Quentin C. Ellingson, Captain Saul
Faktorow, Captain Francis B, Meinke, First Lieutenant Lewis We Bruce,
First Lieutenant Sam D, McGehee, and First Lieutenant John M, Rowan,
266
AFWL/HO
SWEH -2 -003)