The Air Task Group was to be composed of Headquarters, Task Group 7.4,

Provisional; the 4930th Test Support Group; the 493lst and 4932nd Test Support Squadrons; a cloud sampling and control detachment; an effects test
detachment; a weather reconnaissance detachment; a documentary photo de-

tachment; a weather detachment; and an aircraft control and warning detachment.”

ILLUSTRATION 2, opposite page, shows the organization of TG 7.4.

A. . FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE AIR TASK GROUP

The Commander, Air Research and Development Command (ARDC), was given
the over-all responsibility of organizing Task Group 7.4 for participation

in CASTLE,

In turn, ARDC delegated this responsibility to the Air Force

Special Weapons Center (AFSWC).

In the Zone of the Interior (ZI) the

AFSWC Commander was to exercise command over Headquarters, Task Group 7.4,
except that the Commander,JIF SEVEN, would exercise operational control in
the ZI for planning and coordination purposes.
also to exercise operational control for

The Commander, AFSWC, was

planning and coordination, and

administrative control -- for funding and reporting only -- in the ZI for
wmits or detachments formed by other USAF commands.”
During its Zone of the Interior stay the Air Task Group was to be
under the operational control of Air Force Special Weapons Center, but in

the Pacific Proving Ground the executive head would be JTF SEVEN. For
the most part the Air Task Group was organized, manned, trained and equipped at AFSWC, under the direction of Brigadier General Howell M. Estes, Jr.,

AFSWC Deputy Commander for Overseas Tests and Commander ofTG 7.4.

Three

subordinate organizations — the Test Aircraft, Test Support (4930th Test

Support Group), and Test Services Units — would be under the operational
control of the Task Group.

in the missin.

These units performed the functions described

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Brigadier General Howell M. Estes, Jr., of the Strategic Air Command

(SAC), was named Commander of the Air Task Group in the book message

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