IV
this was to polish the surfaces so that contaminated particles could
not cling to the aircraft,”
Dr. Alvin G. Graves, Test Director for
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, wrote the Special "eapons Center to
emphasize these points.”
And, on the basis of this letter, the Center's
staff took action to obtain F-8 sampler aircraft and pilots .°
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The 925th Test Group (Atomic) underwent some adjustment for
UPSHOT/KNOTHOLE.
During testing in ‘evada, operations, maintenance,
and personnel for sampling had been secured at the test site on a shot-
to-shot basis,
The new planwas to organize a provisional unit to
furnish these personnel and functions at all times.
The 925th established
Operations Unit Number One (Test)Provisional on 23 February 1953 under
Lieutenant Colonel James A, Watkins.
The new organization would not only
secure personnel and equipment for the support of the tests in Nevada.
but also train personnel and execute modifications on the F-8) sampler
aircraft, |
When the unit was finally located at: Indian Springs Air Force
Base, it had nine F~8 sampler aircraft, one B-50 sampler control aircraft,
and two B-29 samplers.”
|
.
The F-8)G aircraft for sampling moved to Kirtland Air Force Base
while the pilots came from Strategic Air Command and from the 925th,
Many were fighter pilots returning from Korea,
Of the twenty who finally
- —
flew sampler missions during Operation UPSHOT/KNCTICLE, only two had had
previous experience and could lend advice.
These were Saptain Wilburn S.
Rose and Captain Harvey S. Stockman who had been with the Test Aircraft
Unit during Ivy.”
82
APWLZHC
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SWEH-2-003),
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