SAC HISTORICAL STUDY 62 HISTORY OF 1ST AIR DIVISION (ACTIVATION 22 APRIL 1955 THRU INACTIVATION 20 MAY 1956) VOLUME 2

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CIA-RDP88B00831R000100210004-6
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RIFPUB
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T
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31
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December 21, 2016
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May 6, 2008
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4
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April 22, 1955
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REPORT
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Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 SAC HISTORICAL STUDY 62 HISTORY OF 1ST AIR DIVISION (ACTIVATION 22 APRIL 1955 THRU INACTIVATION 20 MAY'1956) ~~~I;CL RSIi 1) hY !'.k R. }Q US7* /ILK I.TK, 1 ::O\' 7P, 511r.1ECT: FRI:1:iXi'1 UY li:''CE i1r.Cti: Arrk:A1, - R. W. KOCII. EXCISED DATA (BLANK Pk-'"PIONS) 1-!Af; DL"1EI iINL':) Cl i:ener rtc. w _ t w:a_ ~ Cj'S n R:nv ~ 2 Cy S A?GC - 2 Cys ? ,J C.- S .c, cys A!;C,, 2 ..vs :IDCOM-2 cys ,,SAFSS-2 cys TAC -2 cys Till:: is I~1:Ci ;P7 'i1'.i) LY :? 2 R. L. 1!1:k1:J\, PO S'?.C!L1''".', IN 1000P.! ?,:::'i: F:TnI IR' C_,AI'/i.,S LTR, 1 SI',-!!!L: ': FN L1' :; OF IKi'PI ACT AI'I lA!, - R. W. KOCH i TL rlfi0 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 I. A cut-off date of 5 March 1956 was established for compilation of statistics on this operation. Subsequent to thatLdate the following vehicles, which were originally entered in the basic report as "Successful Launches", have been recovered in the E'-,ropean area. No transmissions were received frcm these balloons. For any gross analysis of the statistics contained in this report the category for the following enumerated balloons should be changed from "Successful Launch" to "Failure" or "tray" as indicated below: Flight Number ADA 109 Line Number 2114 - Balloon Serial Number 648 Type 66CT ADA 116 2124 655 66CT ADA 150 2109 676 66CT ADA 151 2.10 646 66CT CIE 96 5097 704 66CT EVA 71 1071 826 66CT (C) B. Strays: EVA 88 4088 .353 66CT ADA 35 2035 19 66CT (0) Ti:!S 1'.1.7.: 1S 7.ci. L, F:. L. II1:h ., . , Ilr? .: ', n.1Tn?, 1!. ,._'~?,,,'I~.1,.... t?:T':'ii USA-, 13!; 1: , I CT: Fki:1.'.1, 01 :\I 'C'AL I:. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 CHAPTER I - G EI-RAL St ARY Iptroduction 1 General Mission Assi?=ent of Mission Activation of 1st Air Division Concept of Operations Initial Schedule of Actions Organization Selection of Operational Sites Communications Cover Plan Training Phase Moby Dick Hi Training Launch Hydrogen Generation Tracking Recovery Operational Suitability Vulnerability Test Moby Dick Far Fast Command Post Exercises Deployment Phase 6926th Radio Squadron (Mobile) 1110th Air S Dort Grolm 456th Troop Carrier Wing C 9 PAGE 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 11 12 15 16 16 16 Pre-Operational Decisions Ground Cut-Down Stations Surface Recovery Support Preparations for Launch Stipulations by Higher Headquarters Cover ?,_an Launches Placarrs Launch itations 2G-BC :ai..iary Safety Unit Locator Beacon Planned Configuration THIS I;A IS BY ;r !'.. 1.. !!'; !77 7/LS1pF, n_1CH r.---: or I!,FV ACT APITAL 4 1~-~oc Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Operational Phase, Primary Mission General Launching Tracking Recovery Major Problems- Suspensions of Operations I Termination of Cperational Pnass Results PAGE 20 20 20 21 22 22 24 25 25 Tab "A" - Conclusions 28 CHAPTER II - PRE.-PRflARY MISS ION ACTIVITIES Part I Deployment Part II Moby Dick Far East Part III Communications Part IV Cover Launches CHAPTER, III - PRl4`ARY MISSION Tab A The balloon Tab B The Gondola Tab C Field Test for Modification to System 119L Tab D Launch Operations Tab E Hydrogen Generation Tab F Tracking Tab G Recovery Tab H Control Tab I Vulnerability Tab J Analysis of DMQ-l Tab K Discussion of DMQ-2 Tab L Information Services Tab M Statistics Tab N Analysis of Ballasting Performance Tab 0 Materiel Tab P Finance Tab Q Personnel Tab R Mission Analysis W CL- O C-3 CHAPTER IV - METEOROLOGICAL ASPECTS Part I Meteorological PlanninE for C eration Part II Guidance for Cperation of Launch Control Center Weather.Facility Part III Guidance for liberation of Recovery Control Center Weather Facility VII: CA-7 IS o:c!,A:.'TFI?:D 13Y %U: R. L. 1!;) l',/1),l F 114 NQ U: A1'/.--]; LTR, I NOV 7), SU11J! CT: FitELI)O?! OF INI'Ui ATIO': ACT AI'i LAL - F. 4:. KOCH ink v-582 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Part IV Requirement for Weather Smoort part V Weather Support for Balloon Launching Operation Part VI Comparison of Climatological Estimate of Launch Site Weather and Favorable Initial Trajectories Pert VII Losses *of Vehicles due to Tinfavora'cle Trajectories Part VIII Accuracy of Cl matological Estimate of Launch { Site Weather Con itions Part IX Evaluation of Weather Conditions in Recovery Area Part X Fore ca stab i 1 ity and Reliability of Current Trajectory Launch Criteria CHAPTER V - BIbLICGRPLFHY OF REFERENCE DGCUi NTS CHAPTER VI - IBM 1~AC::INE RUN Fiji (:.;.1''/?:..? '1:1'k. 1 t:;v? ~~~ ,! t ?. L. l!!'1'1:::' ~ !1~~ }^ll:!'~'.i~' ~ I!! hC.'~!.I)':':~f: L':ITII 1'1:1.. t' ;l O: It;: Di_..1'!'1 ACT A!'!'itL - P. D-582 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 GE ERR L SIJ! .RY !i?,~ t'. .. l.'tii, i ::v\ ~.i.i!a?:. .'i.!J:In.:' Ui' 1,,.'~?i~.:,T:C'. i~~'i' .. ....u. - i.. l K(CH 7 D-532 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 1. INTRODUCTION: 1Lf) Air Command", dated 22 March 1955* i C. ~s~ invent of Mission: Weapor.S System 119E was developer by Air Force agencies and civilian institutions for the pu-pose of conduct-n` pioneer reconnaissance by use of high altitude balloons. .,_____._He_adquart ers UTSAF_ monitored this project curing the plann_:g and development stages by direct coo dination with individual commands. It became apparent that a single command was rea'.ired to further develop, coordinate and conduct the operation. The Strategic Air Command was assigned this respcnsibiity in- :JSAF letter, Subject: "Assignment of Addit on..l Mission. to Strategic A. General: This is the Final R5oort-of Project 119L conducted by Strategic Air Command through the 1st Air Division (Meteorological Survey). This report is intended to cover the primary mission for which Weapons System 119L was designed, plus related pre and post mission activities. In the event a more complete analysis of the project is contemplated, reference must be made to those documents listed in Chapter V plus data available to Air Force Ca bridge Research Center, A?.DC. ',;jam_ ons System 119L is described in Tabs "A".and 1B", Chapter III. ~- ` B. Mission: To obtain photographic and eleetronic-reconnais- sance of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and its satellites using Weapons System 119L. (j2'1 D. Activation of 1st Air Division: To accomplish the mission, Strategic Aiz- Command activated the .1st Air Division at Offutt Air Force Base :,.n SAC General Order Number 26, dated 15 April 1955. The Mission of 1st Air Division was established in SAC Regulation Number 23-7, dated 15 June 1955. (UJ E. Concept of Operations: The basic concept was to accomplish launches from Western E=ome. Balloons were expected to transit the target area in seven to ten days and then be tracked and recovered within the Far East and Alaskan areas. '2 1. Initial Schedule of Act-ions- The most favorable period for launch was det?rr:ined to be 1 Novembe- throur:^ 1 ?':a,,y during which period the prevailing winds were predicted tc be West tc East at all alt_tudes.y This was therefore establisher as the period during w ich tine operation would be con~ucted. Based or this period of favorable winds it was planned to conduct Zone of interior Ooerational Suitability Testing and Train nE during the period May 1955 through September 1955. There would then remain sufficient time for the units involved to deploy to forward bases and prep .re such bases prior to the i-nolenentation date. 1 November 1955. IV: T M'_,! r?. . l., .:'cT.n:": IN 7), JJLLT ACT ;,f':'!-'AL - R. W. w Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 2. Organization: a. 1st Air Division was assigned operatioral control of the 456th Troop Carrier Wing (TAO), equipped with C-119 aircraft for recovery operations; 1110th Air S=port- Group (F DCOM) s the balloon launching or?anization; and the 6926th Radio Squadron (Mobile) (USAFSS), to perform the tracking junction. because of the peculiar nature of the mission, resnonsibi ity for operational control of the launch and recovery units was almost immediately expanded to include resnonsibility for training units and crews. This expansion of responsibility was a._,cmplished by mutual agreement, betweeni the Commander, 1st Air Division, and the Commanders of the parent commands. Also, because of the tremendous cua.-til ties of material involved which req`,zired shipment overseas to meet deadline dates, it became apparent that 1st Air Division should be given the responsibility of monitoring procurement, development, shipping, etc. Accordingly, these lo_istical.responsibilities were a-so transferred by mutual consent of commanders concerned. b. lst Air Division established Detachment 1, lst Air Division, ,jam as a forward co ,and post for the purpose of coordinating launch, support and public i nforruation requirements and effecting necessary liaison with sumporting agencies. This detachment was activated 9 June 1955. Its mission was later expanded to include the requirement to exercise operational control of all European area launches. Headquarters 1110th Air Support Group, directed the activities of the five launch detachments. ~~. c. Headquarters 456th Troop Carrier wing was established at /' and functioned as a forward command post for the purpose of coordinating tracking, recovery and public information requirements and effecting necessary liaison with supporting agencies in the Farr East. The 456th Troop Ca-Trier Wing exercised operational control over tracking and recovery activities. d. A graphic presentation of command relationship is contained on the following page. (U) 3. Selection of Operational Sites: I ? W A further study of meteorological data indicated that more complete coverage could be obtained if sites were widely dispersed in Western Europe; besides, surface weather was expected to be unsuitable for launch activities a large part THIS I'AGL'' 'S I):CLA-Slt'I1:I L'i :H K. L. I11:1::0`;, IIh ~: ;'/h;,! IN WITH H LISAi'/1i:: LT!K, 1 NOV 111::(!;`1:\'1;2:: A.'T AC7i':'1. - l.. W. KO:.IH. 1:XC1S::D U?11'A (I L'.::i: f :`tiT1(',.`:S) .;C UI: r.! ?U1 i:D Cll!;Fc:':'i LY i.::U i'icUf"'!,!.Y CIASSFI i?:U 12065. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 OC W CL- 0 C., 1-4 u 1`A... .:, h:.`. 111.::1: ?N, Iit' S'. 1'1:..''C'%::. J!' 11:!'' .- C7 .'. Ac'r R. W. gyp % I , 9 E D-5S2 RE- Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 of the time. In additio^., the distance from the area of interest resulted in a day or so of balloon travel before the photographic mission could be started, an important factor when the criticali,y of balloon life e:Dectancy is considered. Based on studies of trajectory and surface weather, general areas for the location of launch detac'rments were selected. After selection of the general areas, USAF directed that specific locations be selected by CLNICUS.t_ ML. This per:::itted consideration of logistical feasibi ity, physi&l adequacy, and other pertinent info--ration pertaining to the theater and known to USAFE headqus-"ters. Criteria for physical adequacy to support balloon operations were stated by 1st Air Division. In June 1955, the Commander, 1st Air Division. and members of his staff visited each of the primary sites with a view toward inspecting the physical facilities available and stating specific requirement for site preparation. b. The three squadrons of the 456th Troop Carrier t'ing were divided into detach:-ments comprised of eight 0-119 aircraft each and placed at recovery sites believed to be compatible with the predicted upper air trajectories. c. Location of tracking sites was predicated upon the forecasted flow f balloons into the recovery area and the recaire- ment to obtain adequate "cuts" of lines of position (bearings) to establish fixes. At termination of the project an additional site had been activated at Nome, 11a-swat due to a require- ment based on experience gained during a '' operations, oc W Q.. O V O O r 4. Communications o THIS PACE IS UI:CId.:CI II.D BY tN: R. L. liC'RitCN, PQ IN ACCOid)ANCI: WITH T':i'Vi2'l:,"i?G'.' ?C' Ai':'!':\f. - ~:. t?;. li~~ UC,'1'.',~7?~,.; L'1'ii, ] ":~'" 7", Si;1,S*CT: 1'R1:1)0- C" KC'II. I-'CIjI:D t`.':iA (r;L: M1K 1'ltRTI.O%S) WAS Ut:l'tN:I!NLD C1-1;; t'III:D UNDI:N L.\LCCTIVE OI:I'E.I: 1. uG5. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 a. The 1st Air Division communications network was composed of commercially leased and allocated military telet> i l iary Safety Unit) : Safety measures against free fall of the equipment in the event of balloon failure during and after ascent were provided the 119L system by a safety chute and by the electronic package control unit. To give back-up protection against free fall, in addition to the above, USAF determined that an auxiliary safety unit, the 2G-3C, would be included -Jr. the system. Delivery of the 2G-3C to launch Detachment was subsequent to termina- tion of the primary mission, therefore it was never actively 5. Locator Beacon: In May 1955 a requirement was stated for a locator beacon which, attached to the gondola, would send signals from a downed position to direct searchers to the location, Without such a beacon it was considered that downed gondolas would be difficult to find on land and practically impossible to find in water. For technical reasons, development was limited to a beacon which would work in water but not on land. It was designed with a salt water activated battery to transmit a LTHF signal for k8 hours to a range of 2C0 - 150 nautical Idles. Recovery aircraft and the Air Rescue aircraft were capable of homing on these signals using the AN/ARC-27 with the AID/ ARA-25 homin_ adapter. Early at tempts to test prototype and first production models of the bea:cn. were in- conclusive: and considerable delay was ex-perien;,?ed in getting firs. article approval. `owever, because the beacons Were known to c,e capable cf functioning, 501 were accepted and st ppped lawn h sates for use prior to rece?nt of first article approval. T. is approval was received on L. January 195;. A beacon was to be atT,azhed to each, system launched. THIS PAGE. IS P!'CLT"51"TLL' 91' '..: R. L. IN ^.CCOIfi).v..?: 4:1'CH 71, . ':'CT: ki'i'IK': AC"' A1'!'t::,i. - R. N. i)? ?? :,G ULTL:G1JK1:1) CUi:1;I:':1'LY AND FTC): ! :.LY CLASSFII?D UK(li:R L\I:CU i 1t'L' OR''LR 12U65. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 employed. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 E. Planned Configuration: The configuration of balloon- gondola assemblies planned for the beginning of operation was in consonance with other operations decisions and was standardized for all launches regardless of balloon. type. Principal features were : 1. Basic configuration was normal, consisting of balloon, load straps, rotator, bar asse cly, parachute. cluster, water station, DM~-l, thermal package -for electronic gear, and two ballast boxes. 2. A 24 foot emergency parachute was rigged between the gondola and the balloon to prevent free fall of any portion of the vehicle in the event of balloon failure during ascent. (U) 3. Four packages of chaff were attached to the bar assembly and rigged in such a manner as to be automatically dispersed on bar separation. The purpose was to provide positive fixing of terming- - , ,..?, ~LO CW L. A radiosonde unit was attached to the system to provide information on level-off altitude if the ascent were successful, or to give a positive indication if failure occurred within approxi- mately two hours of launch. ,) F. Tactics:- Because of the relatively inflexible nature of the the balloon system and the fact that maximum altitude had been prescribed, few tactical decisions were necessary. Those found necessary are described briefly below: 1. Based on meteorology, radio transmitter turn on times were established to insure that regardless of wind speed encountered (within reasonable 1i.-.its) the trap. ission would begin prior to arrival of the balloon in the recovery area. tion position by radar. 2. Camera turn on'times were to be delayed long enough in each case to avoid the possibility of photographing friendly territory. /3. The 66CT balloons were to be launched from the two V so as to penetrate the border d ring hours of darkness. The 128TT was not restricted as to hours of darkness, nor was the 66CT when launched from the other three sites. () To obtain sufficient balloon life expectancy (7-3 days) and stay within the prescribed altitude deli nE, the 66CT balloons ~ were prepared for a planned in. ;.i- altitude of apprcX=atE Y tj 123TT Galloons 46,500 feet and a ballasting altitude of ?;000 fee were prepared for an initial altitude of 50,000 feet and a ballast- ing altitude of 45,000 feet. (~l D-582 TIIIS 1'7,01' TS DI'CI \f'SI1'I__' MY 7 SIql.1!:," : I NEI FU?' (i' AND CL1S :'IILU UNDCK CXL('iiTIVU OLa)LR l:U~,S. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Y. OPER.-.T ICNAL PHASE, P TLkRY MISS ION : A. General: By 1 December 1955, the established date for commencement of operation) all units were in place and operationally ready. Pending receipt of an execution order command post exercises, Moby Dick Far East, and other training in mission accomplishment continued. Also advantage was taken of this period to continue the distribution of additional production material to the overseas locations. ; ` 1. The mission was ordered executes on 10 January 1956. Eight effective balloons were launched on that date, B. Launching: 1. Subsectiently, balloons were launched dail aj at rates Y consistent with the directed 1i..itations ex?ept as further limited by political considerations ^pd surface weather. Launch teams of the 1110th Air Sumport, Oro= turned in exceptional per.`ormances, demonstratin` on some occasions capability to exceed the maxim' launch rate proErenned. (~d') 2. The limitation to 10 effective launches per day continued in effect until 17.Janua_ry when it was increased to 20 per day. On 25 January it was increased to 30 per day; and to 40 per day on 2S January. 3. Although experiencing their worst winter weather for several years at the launch sites, pre-mission predictions of percentage of weather favorable for launch were found to be quite accurate. As expected, from stand cint of surface weather, was the poorest site and the best. The original concept in regard to weather was that balloons could not be launched in the presence of any precipitation, for, or icing. Because such restric- tion would have an adverse effect on capability to meet daily quotas, it }gas decided to test feasibility of launching under these condi- tions. From these tests it was concluded that balloons can, be successfully launched during periods of fog and light precipitation in the absence of severe icing conditions. Weather criteria for launch were changed accordingly. Od-j O C-3 O O CL. D-582 THIS I'AGI: TS IN ACC(! WITH Hj USA!-'/r,;5 LTR, I JJ :CT': J': !:LI :' ! .~t' 1!4i'V! 1'?.'f i N 'ACT AI'i i'A1. - R. N. :::1 11:T'LY 'dil I R `: ! U Y 120,5. Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 6. Launches were permitted only under coalitions most favorable to successful ascent and flight. Launch operations were resumed on 3 February when the reerired conditions existed. ac W O C-3 C. Tracking: Tracking detachments obtained 22,867 bea-_ngs which were used in plotting balloon positions d'._-=ng the oneratio_.. This does not include the many sirgli bearings which were obtained on transmissions from balloons which wire heard at least one time, since such bearings could not be used for position fixing. Often only an initial transmission would be received, after which the balloon was not heard from again; further, some of the initial trans- missions were ter;.i_nation si;rals which ir2icated loss, either by a system faJ! :=e or u _frien ly ccunte easures. A deficiency was noted, in the tracking capa:i ity over the bering Sea Er--d Northwestern Alaskan area. To offset the deficiency, a detachment was formed from in-place resources and located at Nome. The cetacorent became operational after termination of the operations; as a result, it did not contribute to the mission. D-562 THIS PAC..?. is PE, LP._ S_ I1:') BY !1R R. L. IICGR';t: ," !hl C?r_,') A'_O:', I: WITH IQ USA!''/IGS LTR, 1 r v 79, U1' AC: Ar('EA.I, KOCH. EXCIGi:1 i`ATA I0:merienced complete failure o' the transmmitter; or they f a_' ed to live until their proor- -..sec t;.rn-on time. Since many of these boons were launched close in tme to balloons w :ich layer arrived, trajectory is ..hcu_ht to be respc nsi'le for only a snail percentage. From !1oby Dick statistics. was reasonable to assume that 35% of the trans-itters wo,.:ld function properly. This leaves the vast majority in the category of not having lived long enough to trans::-,it. It is reasonable to ass,=e that some launches which were considered successes, in actuality were not. Frer dams the launch personnel were unable to mow.' for the flight lone enough to observe fa-42-re; perhaps minute holes were in the balloon allowing the gas to leak out over a period of hours; perhaps the ballasting mecharis failed and caused the balloon to descend to the ground. Although over-ballasting is known to have shortened balloon life to a degree, this degree was not such that a large n,=ber would expire for this reason prior to turn-on time, Although no exact values can be placed on any of the above factors; even in combination, it is considered unreasonable that they could have been responsible for early termination of such a large number of balloons. It i-s .concluded, then, that the major contributing factor to loss of these balloons was a tri:ion by enemy action. This conclusion is strengthened by the fact -.ha-., er4o;,-12 the element of su_--Drise, balloons launched prior zc 2~) January were fairly successfu' ; however, of 1S4 bailocns successfully launched on and after 25 January only 20 were heard to trans-4t and only two were recovered. This indicates that after two weeks in which to react, the 'JSSR had come t- with an exceptiona_:ly effective defense. Contrary to the radar tracing capability demonstrated in the 2 1 during Moby Dick Hi, 12th Air 'Force radars were ADir- tn -.rack balloons = mis PA:;1 IS IN ACC(`l.i P.-:rr i r';u 79, `;I r JLCT- A,:'f ATTT' ',L W CL. O V . f Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 Approved For Release 2008/05/07: CIA-RDP88B00831 R000100210004-6 1. up to 150 miles across the line; it is assumed, therefore, that Russian radars were sip-: larly capable. The length of the metal cross-bars and the meta-1 water station increased rada-- v lnera- bility. It was kno,,-n beforehan that Russian fighters were capable of attaining the altitudes to which the balloon flights were restricted (55,000 ft). Vulnerability was certainly affected by balloon behavior, as previously discussed, in descending to ballasting altitude (40,000 to 45,000 ft) shortly after noon. ;;,el 1. As the effect of attrition became noticeable, such steps as were possible were taken to minimize the v,:lnerabiltv Altitude was increased to the limit Dossibie within the directed ceiling and radio turn-on times were delayed to deny use of these signals as an aid to the enery. Plans were made to remove the water station entirely, in order to minimize radar detection. removal or rais:.nE cf altitude restrictions was recommended to USAF; balloon tran=fitters were not. to be turned on until the very last day of programmed life. Cperations were suspended before all of these measures could be placed into effect. (ia'1 D. All systems launched carried the (photographic) gondola. No D:;1--c-2 (electron_ic ferret) pactiages were launched since this type of eouinmen, was not perfected in time. E. A sI.^mary of photo_raphi.c tcccm lisrmerts processed b? the Aeronautic=! Chart and Information Service as of 30 March 1956, is as follows: 1. Total n' ber of missions, from which photography was obtained - 40. 2. Total number of usable a=osures - 13,313. 3. Gross statute miles of charting photography - 1,934,173. (4 4. Net statute miles of charting photography - 1,661,369. (equal to approximately 51' of the Continental 'J :.tec States) !~! Gross sou -e statute miles of charting photography for Sine-So w iet area oC W - b. Net scuare statute miles of cnartin=" ph,. tograDhy for v Sino-Soviet area - - (e~u~ to 3/ ~7'jc of ` the ..O:i-,inen~ l ~ '^,l m = United States, or approximately 3F of Steno-Sov- et area). 7. Cost per square mile (net) ;.4ST . , .L.Q. (U) e- o= Tllic I'A-:!: IS 11!'::ASF:1'I1 ;? !'Y r I2. L. liLC!:,`?:, 1!; ,?,1L','( I', I:: O G.9 H') L'I'It, I. WA' 79, SL'PJECT: F12I:i:LC: OP INiOit5 UADI I i?.C CO'