VIII
(Nuclear):
Comnander
Colonel Paul R. Wignall
Director of Operations
Operations Staff Officer
Aircraft Controller
Lt. Colonel Richard J. Hynes
Lt, Colonel Walter B. Walker, Jr.
Deputy Commander
Colonel Alden-G. Thompson
Staff Officer
Communications =
Electronics Officer
Major Alan W, Ericson
Director of Materiel
Lt. Colonel Zarl W, Robbins, Jr.
Lt. Colonel Warren B, Fackenthall
Adjutant
Mas‘or Max B,. Ganyard
Operational Planning
The mastor planning conference for Operation PLUMBSOB was conducted
by the 4950th Test Group (Nuclear) at Kirtland Air Force Base on 6 and 7
February 1957.
.
The purpose of this conference was (1) to coordinate all
planned air activities, (2)
to ascertain that all scientific programs
and projects were being satisfied insofar as positioning and control of
aircraft were concerned, and (3)
to coordinate logistics requirements
of the participating organizations,
At the conference, Colonel Carl A. Ousley, then group deputy commander
and commander of the Test Aircraft Unit, defined the concept of operation
and the organization of the Test Aircraft Unit, which included the 926th
sampling squadron, the Wright Air Development element, the Nayy element,
‘the Tactical Air Command element (helicopters), and the MNseivery
element.
Colonel Cusley would command approximately 37 aircraft.
The
Test Aircraft Unit was to have operational control over all units and
agencies involved in technical air operations at Indian Srrings Air Force
Base, and would coordinate logistics as necessary to allow participating
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