II

May 1949, that Command went ahead with drone aircraft plans.

The Atomic

Energy Commission needed 12 drones and 12 director B-17 aircraft, while
Air Force program required 5 B-17 drones, 3 B-17 directors, 6 TF-80
drones and 5 TF-80 directors ,~°
In August 1949, Major General Carl A. Brandt, Chief of Requirements
at Air Force headquarters, confirmed these requirements with instructions

to the Air Proving Ground Command to supply this support for the 1951

tests on Requirements changed but slightly.

The TF~80 drone and director

aircraft were replaced.by T-33-type aircraft,

Task Group 3., for Operation GREENHOUSE, formed at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida, under the command of Major General Robert M, Lee.

The

Task Group was to operate all Air Force experimental aircraft, provide
weather reconnaissance and forecasting, inter-atoll air transportation,
and operate the airbase facilities om Eniwetok Island.)

The Experimental

Aircraft Unit of the Task Group came under the command of Colonel Thomas

J. Gent, who also commanded the 550th Guided Missiles Wing of the Air

Proving Ground,

Called Task Unit 3.4.2, it wes unique in that it

consisted of regular Air Force organizations redesignated for task

group missions.

The 550th Guided Missiles Wing operated the drone

aircraft for GREENHOUSE, while its 3200th Drone Squadron provided the

electronicssection for the operation.

“The majority of these individuals

had participated in former atomic weapons tests where drone aircraft
were employed," the Task Group final report stated.

"Their experience

was an invaluable guide in organization of this Task Unit and in

35

APWUNL

SWEH-2-003h,

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