ae:
WEATHER CENTRAL ELGHENT, PROVISIONAL
APO 187, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California
20 March 1954
Col Nicholas Chavasse
Hq Air Weather Service
Andrews Air Force Base
Washington 25, D.C,
Dear Col Chavasse:
When I lcarned AEC had released a statement to the cffect that some
natives and military personnel had been cvacuated from atolls near the
Pacific Proving Ground, I know the Gencral and you would be much interested in the quality of the
- conecrned,
I prepared
a report to Headquarters, Air Weather Service giving the forecast and
observed weather in detail. However, I was requested by higher authori-
ty not to submit it. But I can state without fear of contradiction that
the forccast was a good onc, The Weather Central Element did their part
in mintaining the high standards we desire in AS,
We are working long hours and have plenty of pressure on us.
But
the training under Dr Palmer is really paying off, Under no circumstances
should a grcup of forccasters under take a job like this without =ureo
of instruction such as the one we had.
I am proud of the group I have, including Capt Thorpe's detachinent.
All of you recognizethe ability of Stopinski, Wisc and Stempscn, but
Capt James Burgess, ny bricfing officcr, is a real find,
nothing but praise for his work,
I have heard
Major Robinson's boys are really pushing the balloons up thcre.
Although it is costing a high percentage of sccond releases, they have
come through better than I personally thought they could. Col Cometh's
unit is impressing everyone by their ability to got aircraft off on a
one minute schcdule and their general airmanship. The weather data they
gct is indispensable to the WCEP.
Lt Col Bonnot has given us a tremendous amount of support and
assistance, He is doing 2 fine job with the 4EC and Hq Joint Task Forec
personnel,
“~ My best to General Senter (if he still drops in), General Moorman,
Col Atwell, Col Jones and the rest.
Sincerely,
ee: Lt Col Bonnot
HERSCHEL H. SLATER
Lt Col., USF
Commander
TAB 1