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pilots in the Mother B-17's direct their drone aircraft into the cloud,
because at the altitude of approximately 20,000 feet it was light
approximately ten (10) minutes before dawn at sea level.
The problem of determining this degree of light involved the opera-
tion of B-17 aircraft over the target area (and the USS NT. McKINLEY) on
several different morningse
On 20 March 1948, Colonel] QQ (Assistant
to the Air Commander) received a message from General i (who was in
Guam at the time) requesting that MEN, Atomio Rnergy Commission
Test Director, Lt. Commander Qi, Combat Information Center Director
aboard the USS NT. McKINLEY, and Colone]gage be tuned in to the fre-
quency of General MMMM plane on the morning of 22 March 1948. He also
directed that Colone] 9p have one of his B-17 aircraft overthe target
area at the seme tine.
Thus, on this morning with the Test Director on the USS ALBEMARLE,
the Commander, Air Forces, and the Commanding Offieer of the drone units,
both in the air, and Colonel QM on the USS NT. McKINLEY, a part of the
problem of timing the first shot was solved. Colone] 9M and General
$i were able to relay information from the air as to the amount of
light and the Test Director was able to eheck this information at sea level.
This flight also enabled the Air Commander to cheok the eommunicae
tions system from the air while there was still time to correct deficiencies
if they should arise.
One of the most interested spectators at this early morning
exercise was lt. Colonel <p. the Air Forces Communications Officer.
He had established the various chamels of air communications, and now
he was to see if his planning had been goode
Seatiain.Fy
Colonel ie, from
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