_=l
from the Chief of Staff, USAF.
Colonel James F. Starkey, Commander of
AFSWC's 4930th Test Support Group at Eniwetok, was later named to com
mand that organization when it became the Test Support Unit during the
operational phase of CASTLE.
Personnel wera to be assigned this unit
for the diract support of CASTLE.
Lt Colonel James A. Watkins, Commander of the 4925th Test Group
(Atomic)'s 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) at Kirtland, was named Com
mande> of the Test Aircraft Unit, which was to consist of elements from
Air Force Special Weapons Center, Military Air Transport Service and
Strategic Air Command, participating primarily for the diract support
of the scientific mission.
These elements were:
F-84G sampling; B-36_.
sampling; RB-36 control; B-47 effects; B-36 effects and C-54 photography.
The Test Services Unit was to consist of those Military Air Trans-
port Service (MATS) units furnishing services to Task Group 7.4, inclwiing Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS), Weather Central Element, Weather Reporting Stations, Weather Reconnaissance (Air) Element,
the MATS Terminal at Eniwetok, and Search and Rescue Element, Hesdquarters, MATS, source of all aircraft and personnel of the Test Services
Unit, designated Lt Colonel Mahion B. Harmond as commander of that unit
on 18 August 1953.
When General Estes assumed command of the Air Task Group on ] August
1953, bis staff included:
Colonel Earl W. Kesling, Deputy Commander;
Colonel Herschel D. Mahon, Chief of Steff; ColonelRay M. Hawley, Director of Materiel; Lt Colonel Harzy B. Allen, Director of Operations;
Lt Colonel Birdene E. Forrest, Director of Personnal; Lt Colonel Arch
C. Fleming, Comptroller; and Lt Colonel William R. Hanna, Personnel
~~
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