A folder entitled, "Willow Plan" contains numerous documents and not just a
report on planning for this operation and among other things contains two nertersaoy
and packages of documentation from Task Force J-3 dated18Feb.1959.
The two
letters are addressed to the Commander and addressed the proposed Joint Task Force
reduction under a “hurry up" open Sea concept and also a manning level for the planned
Yperation Willow.
The folder contains not only the inputs from the various staff
organizations and task groups within JTIF-7 as of the Feb. date for manning up and
2xecuting the two different concepts of testing, but also later documentation in
celation to the specifics for Operation Willow.
It should be noted that in addition
‘o other recommendations, the recommendations made by J~3 to Joint Task Force 7 staff
indicated that for both of the test concepts Task Group 7.1 be deleted and their
Also of some interest is that there
tas a Willow planning group which existed in Dec. of 1958 and a sub-group known as
TAee 35,
‘unctions absorbed by the Headquarters staff.
she Future Weapons Effects Planning Board which was chaired by a Col. Bart of DASA
ind was meeting in Dec. of 1958 to address the long range requirements for weapons
ffects testing as envisioned by the services and AFSWP.
In correspondence from the AEC to its operations offices and to JTF-7
around the middle of Feb., the conference on and discussions of alternate methods
and locations for weapons testing are addressed and the letter to JTF-7 indicates
“the availability of the LSD to our contractors and laboratories is apparently
A
the principal mile stone in realizing a readiness concept of 5 months for an open J
seas operation.
If a particular LSD could be designated for our use now, early
access to its drawings would be most valuable for design and engineering, planning
purposes.
Accordingly, it is requested CJIF-7 attempt to obtain designation and
drawings of a particular LSD and forward the information to ALOO for appropriate
desimination."