inflated. At KWAJALEIN 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 KWAJALEIN on X-day (15 April 1948) two (2) practice runs were made to minimize chance of failure and to improve operating techniques.
The transportation requirement was for air lift to transport the team of six (6) scientists and twelve (12) thousand pounds of equipment from BELMAR, NEW JERSEY to KWAJALEIN, GUAM, HAWAII and then back to BELMAR, 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, MIDDLETOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. The C-54 was also utilized in carrying Tracerlab personnel and equipment to KWAJALEIN and GUAM. Maintenance assistance was afforded by the local base and tactical organizations.
The mobile team personnel was assembled and partially trained at Watson Laboratories. The team arrived at KWAJALEIN 31 March 1948; departed for NORTH FIELD, 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 (1) day.
The balloon team and aircraft crew personnel were as follows:
BALLOON TEAM:
Dr. Albert P. Crary
"Q" clearance
Physicist
Mr. Charles S. Schneider
"Q" clearance
Meteorological Engineer
Mr. John W. Alden
"P" clearance
Radio Engineer
Mr. John A. Moulden
"P" clearance
Radio Repairman
Mr. Murry Hackman
"P" clearance
Meteorological Engineer
Mr. James Smith
"P" clearance
Meteorological Engineer
B-29 CREW
Captain Stanley C. Lewis
Pilot (Flight Commander)
1st Lieutenant Randall S. Kane
Co-Pilot
1st Lieutenant Wm. L. Adams
Navigator
M/Sergeant W. L. Halliday
Engineer
M/Sergeant R. A. Kabaste
Radio Operator
T/Sergeant R. A. Cox
Ass't Radio Operator
T/Sergeant L. D. Moon
Ass't Engineer
C-54 CREW
Captain John P. Clowry
Pilot
1st Lieutenant Richard Mesher
Co-Pilot
1st Lieutenant Chas. A. Lamana
Navigator
S/Sergeant James Brau
Engineer
S/Sergeant L. H. Campbell
Radio Operator
Sergeant George L. Fratwell
Ass't Engineer
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