inflated. At KWAJAI..Ern a wind-break was constructed through the courtesy of
the island commander, Captain Vest, USN. At a predetermined time, the balloon
was inflated with a fixed amount of helium gas to raise it to an altitude of
from 50,000 to 60,000 feet where it -floated at a constant level. The balloon
was cautiously launched and guided until it cleared all ground obstacles.
Electrical power for the microphone-transmitter was provided through wet-cell
batteries, especially constructed to prevent freezing. The balloon was tracked
visually by use of' theodolites. Prior to the actual test on KWAJALEnl on X-day
( 15 April 1948) two (2) practice runs were made to minimize chance of' taih,re
and to improve operating techniques.
The transportation requirement was tor air litt to transport the team of
six (6) scientists and twelve (12) thousand pounds of' equipnent from BElliAR,
NEV; JERSEY to KWAJALErn, GUAM, HAWAII and then back to BEIJ4AR, NEW JERSEY. The
Air Materiel Command provided three (3) aircraft, a C-54, a B-29, and a B-17,
and crews, under the direction of Captain Stanley C. Lewis, from the 4149th
AFBU, MIDDLETCM'N, PENNSYLVANIA. The C. 54 was also utilized in carrying
Tracerlab personnel and equipment to KWAJALEnl and GUAM. Maintenance assist-
ance was afforded by the local base and tactical organizations.
The mobile team personnel was asfembled and partially trained at Watson
Laboratories. The team arrived at KY1AJALEIN 31 March 1948; deJ:W.rted for
NORTH FIEID, GUAM, on 16 April 1948; for HICKAM FIElD on 3 May 1948• and was
scheduled to depart from HAWAII for its home station on Z plus one (l) day.
The balloon team and aircraft crew personnel were as follows:
BAllOON TEAM:
Dr. Albert P. Crary
Mr. Charles S. Schneider
Mr. John~. Alden
Mr. John A. Moulden
Mr. Murry Hackman
Mr. James Smith
B-29 CRli!
Captain Stanley c. Lewis
1st Lieutenant Randall S. Kane
let Lieutenant Wm. L. Adams
M/Sergeant W. L. Halliday
M/Sergeant R. A. Kabaste
T/Sergeant R. A. Cox
T/Sergeant L. D. Moon
C-54 CRtl£
Captain John P. Clowry
1st Lieutenant Richard Masher
1st Lieutenant Chas. A. Lamana
S/Sergeant James Brau
S/Sergeant L. H. Campbell
Sergeant George L. Fretwell
•Q• clearance
•Q" clearance
npn clearance
"P'1 clearance
"P'I clearance
"P" clearance
Physicist
Meteorological Engineer
Radio Engineer
Radio Repairman
Meteorological Engineer
Meteorological Engineer
-2-
Pilot (Flight Commander)
Co-Pilot
Navigator
Eneineer
Radio Operator
Ass 1 t Radio Operator
Ass 1 t Engineer
Pilot
Co-Pilot
Navigator
Engineer
Radio Operator
Ass 1t Engineer