AMID DIPUNINTATION PLAN 1C PUBLIC= a•rascomen VII

• AND POR HANDLING NICOVINND OMUTA

28 October 1959

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Situation: It is gamma that the next IMMO= firing

currently eOheadlei flu* 3 Nomober mill receive publicity in an

order1y and phased summer. This Nine release plea is phased in

general as fellows:

Prepared and epproved releases mill be given to members

of the Press at 264 hours with a bold embargo until Lunch. These

relearns mill be gives by a IND representative at Vandenberg Air

Pbrce Nose.

Press members at lindemberg Air Pores lase mill be given

official lammak times and viii be present to witness lammebima; at

Vandenberg Air !brae lase.

Limited nit states reports mill be given to the press

by AFEND representatives. Information sea as official lemma time

sad pertinent orbital into as appropriate mill be included. No

lab mill be released on detailed test objectives except as follows:

DISOWN= VII emperiment mill test launching technique, propulsion, communications, orbital pertbreasce, recovery technique and

advanced engineering equipment.

At the time the recova7 C-119 , 8 are dispatched to the

recovery area, a press statement viii be aide by BID indicating the

probability of a recovery attempt being staged. Coati:nation of

C-119 dispatch vill emanate from the DOC.

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e. As soon as practicable after confirmation of recovery of

the capsule (possibly recovery + 1 hour), an announcement mill be node

to the effect that a launch has been mode falommod by a successful

recovery. (See pars III 30)

Press sewerage of the return of the recovered capsule to

Sicken or Pearl Harbor rill be limited to (1) photographs of the unloading of the capsule oanaister and interior of the aircraft and of

the crew (2) interviews with the -recovery crew only after crews have

been debriefed. No press activity mill be permitted to intertere

with the acacuplisinesnt of the missioa.

g. The recanted capsule rill not be made available to the

press ter any purpose except as specified herein. As soon as possible

foaming the raters and teehmical analysis of the capsule at LMSD,

the emm1 , aquae will be made available to SAMS fOr sObespent

public display at a press somfireeee. DCC mill be responsible for 

makiog suitable arrangements ter physical transport of empty ampoule

tram &marvels to the designated press conference location. MIND 

ISO will advise MOD of arrangements relating to this acmgerenoe.

118ZSD will be responsible for working with ISO to establish timing

for this conference and will advise DCC as soon as possible.

U. This plan is directive an all ATSIO participating offices.

III. 01011ML SANIATIVS MI= OF IMIIITS:

1. Firebomb:

a. Prior to =COUR= VII launch a press logistics conferewe at T-4 hours will be held by 1st Nissile Division ISO representatives at VATS, according to provisions of =Tent H. uSAT Information

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Plan. AMID ISO will be responsible for preparation and proper

coordination (specifically to includiVMM8) of all releases relative

to the MUCOUS=VII laumch. These releases mill be distributed

to the press at the Logistics Conftresce. Advanced copies of all

planned releases will be mode available to VMM8 no later than

29 October 1999.

b. SALTS and VA/Swill invite the Press to the launch at

'APB in accordance with current lq. U8A7 Information Plan. AMID

ISO, inconjunction with BAITS and let Missile Division ISO, will

prescribe policy for (within secual4r3Amdtations imposed by VDU)

and maintain surveillance over Press activity requirements at VATS.

ATM 180 will work together with Vandenberg ISO in developing

suitable press arrangements. ATE 180 will be responsible

public release requirements that mgy replay develop during and

after launch. Otperticular cascara is the necessity for advance

publicity planning of • gross nature in anticipation of possible

vehicle or systeamalbanetion. In event of a firing disaster at

VATS all 180 matters will become subject to specific release approval

by WOWS representative at VAIL

2. Laumch

DI800V8888 VII lammch will occur followed by appropriate

press releases as the situation develops. mon will provide material

to be afforded all essential participants in this exercise.

APIND Pield. Office at VATS will be responsible for verifying,

on a timely basis to the AMD ISO, at TAPS the following facts:

a. Official launch tine

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(77 77.4.3,471 

0::.'4•;,t4-1.1

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."--4411f=7 .

Occasion or failure of second stale ignition

estimated normalcy of vehicle peribrmance through second

stage cut-off, with confirmation of orbital in3ectUmbeld until

firm information is available.

Acquisition progress up through approduately T►2

hours (data to be supplied by DCC).

Items c and d above will be incorporated into an official

statement to be released to the press at VAFB at T+2 hours or as soon

thereafter as possible.

f. After T+2 hours, any release of data regarding orbital

operations will be made by the IND ISO representative at the SAIC

after appropriate coordination with WDZS.

ftlease of items c and d above will not be accomplished until

verified from DCC. Mileage will bs made through WDZ representative

at TAY' for the ileac above. For item !above the SAIC duty officer

will coordinate as to technical accuracy of the inibrnstion: however,

he will not be considered the WDZI representative to verify reliability.

Only the folloving individuals (in this order) can verify reliability

of info:

Lt. Colonel Battle

Colonel Oder

coum•411116

e. Lt. Colonel Abola *

*Only for release at Sicken of the still photography of the recovery

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1141141/•n• ••nn• •••n•n•

operation. Lt. Colonel Ahola will be initial contact for this

purpose.

3. Recovery:

Based on information from DCC, an announcement vill be

made of the C-119 dispatch to the recovery area. BCC vill advise

DCC immediately of such dispatch. Yolloving the announcement at the

time of C-119 dispatch, recovery operations vill be initiated by

Hawaiian Recovery Force according to current directives from Palo

Alto Field Office covering this part of the DISCOVERER VII flight.

Upon acquiring the capsule (and not before capsule is 

secured in the aircraft or ship), the Commander of the gaining aircraft or ship viii affirm to MCC by coded radio contact, the tact

that a recovery has been affected, giving the identity of the aircraft or ship making the recovery. Also transmitted to the RCC at

this time will be an estimated time of arrival of the recovery aircraft or vessel at Bias= APB or Pearl Baebor. If the aircraft

commander determines that it is essential that he go to an alternate

destination such as Niamey or Johnston Island, this information v111

be transmitted to ICC. BCC will relay to DCC Mho, in turn, vill

relay to AVM this infbrmation. At the time of the initial transmission regarding accomplishment of capsule recovery, the recovering

vehicle commander vine/port to WC the condition of capsule using

the brevity code as contained in /Appendix "A".

c. Subsequent handling of the capsule aboard the recovering

vehicle vill be in accordance with detailed instructions contained in

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Appendix A, "Capsule Handling Imstrianas attached hereto.

'might limitation: permit, an officio./ pholtmgrapber

mill be aboard each potential recovery aircraft. Within the limits

of safety the photographer mill obtain notion picture coverage of

the actual recovery. Upon return to Eimitany the inproaessol motion

film mill be turned over to the capsule courier rho mill return it

• to a representative of the END Film Service Department as soon as

possible. Still photography mill be delivered unprocessed to the

EMB1 Meld Office at !ticket vhtch mill assure it is properly processed

and screened by VMS representative at Blass. Photos deemed suitable

for release viii be distributed by DOD ISO representative to the

press at 'Ickes APB.

Upon receipt of positive inf emotion by the END Spate

Activities Information Center that a recovery has been accomplished

and open approval by 12116 the IND ISO mill advise, by most direct

route, the SAFIS (11% MAT Cared Post Drop 226).

MEND 1110 mill immediately advise the MIND Space

Activities Intermetion Center (BAIL) rhea a public announcement by

proper officials has been made regarding success of recovery. 2bis

information mill be immediately relayed to DCC and in turn to BCC.

(1) Within limits of safety and fuel &mations Palo

Alto Field Office (DCC) mill not permit C-119 aircraft to land at

Sickam until item (3f) above has been satisfied. Arrival at Summit

of the aircraft or vessel carrying the recovered capsule mill then

cocas utters arrangements mill have been nude by BCC to pickup tits

capsule by suitable vehicle and take it to a predetermined and

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presicured area, under their Jurisdiction. Detailed instructions

relating to ground handling of capsule are contained in Appendix B

attached hereto.

(2) The DCC will be responsible to assure that proper

and secure arrangements are accomplished in accordance with this

plan relative to handling of the capsule at Sicken APB.

5. Post Recovery:

a. Immediately follow/mg the delivery of the capsule to

the secure area, a representative of the MCC will debrief crews and

collect sufficient inflammation to relay by phone through DCC to APBND

to complete their knowledge of operations. This debriefing information will be assembled and forwarded to APNND as soon as possible

ot later than 2 hours past arrival at Sicken of the capsule.

b. DOD 180 Plan referenced above specifies that recovery

crew will be made available for interview by the press. Crews will

be expected to perfOrm their duties to completion befbre press interviews will be permitted. Duties here include debriefing. Security

restrictions tar press purposes will be forwarded by separate TWX

to BCC. At the time of debriefing, all crew members or persons

who They meet the press will be rebriefed by BCC on security aspects

of their operation. During any press interview of persons connected

with this operation, the AFIND ISO representative at Masa will be

present. The DOD Infammattext Plan specifies that press may photograph interiors of aircraft. This will not be permitted to interfere with off-loading operations or the accomplishment of any

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portion of the mission. Apredatermined area WWWd be established

for off-loading operation to aftbrd press camera access vithont

interference vith operations.

FREDSRIC C. E. ODOR

Colonel, USAF

Director, Satellite Systems

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AFBMD D1PLEKENTATION PLAN FOR PUBLICITY ON DISCOVERER

VII FOR HANDLING RECOVERED CAPSULE

APPENDIX A

CAPSULE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

Following instructions apply to recovery and handling of DISCOVERER

capsule. It is suggested this annex be removed and reporduced for

distribution to crews, in quantity of one per aircraft or vessel participating.

Extreme care must be taken by recovery crews to preclude damage

to capsule such as denting, antenna or light breakage, etc. After

recovery, the capsule should be rested on the round bottom until it can

be inserted into the transport canister.

Immediately upon recovery and when capsule is brought aboard

aircraft or naval vessel, its general condition will be determined and

a decision made as to its condition. In initial radio report to HOC by

recovery crew, capsule conditicn will be reported in accordance with

the following brevity code.

ITEM NO. CLEAR TEXT MESS= CODE

ONE NO ACQUISITION OF CAPS= SYSTEM BY ANY FRANTIC

MEANS. REQUEST FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

TWO LINED UP IN POSITION FOR FIRST PASS VIPER

THREE CAPSULE ABOARD AIRCRAFT. RECOVERY HONEY BOY

COMPLETE AT BLANK ZULU.

FOUR CAPSULE ABOARD SHIP. RECOVER! COM- HONEY=

PLETE AT BLANK ZULU

FIVE CAPSULE MODERATELY DAMAGED WITH DENTS

BUT NO RUPTURE. MINOR WATER OR AIR

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LEAKAGE POSSIBLE.

SIX CAPSULE RUPTURED AND =sr 19;),UIPMENT BEETLE

IS IDICPOSED. •

SEVIN CAPSULE APPEARS BURNT. BLEED

EIGET UNABLE TO OPEN CAPSULE. PICKLE

NINE CAPSULE UNDAMAGED. SIC/LIGET

TEN CAPSULE INTERIOR FLOODED. CORKER

ELEVEN AN1MAL(S) ALIVE. BOOMERANG

TWELVE ARTMAL(S) APPEARS TO BE BEAD. CEICKMATE

=INNEN CAPSULE SUNK. SOUTIERN

CROSS

3. Upon surface recovery, the capsule viii be inspected for water

seepage. If there is water in the capsule, it will be drained of water

prior to being placed in the mylar bag. Capsule vill not be opened to

drain. Mater should be drained through any existing rupture or hole but

additional opening of capsule for any purpose will not be accomplished.

Keeping capsule intact is essential to the integrity of experiments

involved and is for mandatory compliance whether airborne recovery or

sea recovery is accomplished.

I. As soon as possible after recovery, the antenna (lufkin strip)

vill be rolled up to occupy saaLlest space and vill be taped securely

in this posibion.

5. The parachute vill be disconnected from the capsule at the

swivel either by using the special pliers provided by LMSD or by cutting

the risers. Parachute viii then be staved separately in container other

than capsule cannister. Parachute and capsule containers will both be

transported to the Mainland for analysis.

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Capsule will be inserted in mylar bag; and mylar bag should

be squeezed around capsule to eliminate as much air as possible before

drawing string and sealing.

M ► ar bag will be inserted in capsule minister and the

cannister will be locked with lock provided for this purpose. Care

will be exercised to assure that locks remain open until placed on

cannister after capsule has been inserted. Locked cannister will be

delivered to Lt Colonel Ahola at predetermined area designated by him.

Personnel possessing radium-dialed watches will remove and

store them prior to handling the capsule.

In event that recovery crews are exposed to the press, the

recovery crew will be debriefed by Lt Colonel Ahola immediately upon

landing.

. s WDZSD 130

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APPIRIDIX B

GROUND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS AT HICKAM AFB 

Capsule will be received by Commander, HCC at predetermined area.

He will be responsible to have capsule transported in locked condition

from aircraft or naval vessel to a secure area at Hickam AFB. Once

the cannister and its contents are inside the secure area, admittance

to this • rc:-. will be strictly limited to a list of persons to be provided

by WDZ.

No official photography is required in secure area at Hickem.

Custody of capsule viii be given to the courier (as designated

specifically by WDZ) in the secure area at Rickets. Courier viii be

instructed specifically by WDZ regarding delivery of cannister to Lockheed.

Twenty-tour (24) hours prior to ETPD, the courier (or in his

absence at Hickam a representative of the BCC) will call the 1502nd

Air Transportation Sqdn. (Transportation control duty officer can

be reached at followine phones in this order: 413269, 413246, or 49252).

The Duty Officer will be informed of the air transport requirement and

the approximate time that DISCOVER capsule may be ready for shipment.

At this time tentative cargo aircraft will be determined. (Policy questions

can be discussed Iiith one of the following:

5. The courier (or alternate at HCC) vill then determine the

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availability of a passenger nicht by calling Base Transportation Officer,

6486th Transport Sqdn. on Extension 43186, 46187, or 44135. Contacts

at this office (Traffic Coordinating Office)

41111111.11111.11111111111

Every effort should be made to secure the most timely flight,

preferably one with a capability for pressurized storage of the cannister.

If a passenger flight is selected and is available, any necessary

exercise of program priority should be invoked'to assure accommodation

of courier and cannister at expense of lower priority passenger or shipments.

The courier is responsible for finalizing all arrangements for

transportation using MATS flights as primary and commercial or other military

air as alternates. Local Hickam support requirements specified by courier,

such guards, transportation, etc., will be arranged by WDZWL-5. After

departure of courier with capsule, Commander, BCC will advise DCC in

secure fashion by TWX of the name of courier and identification of air

carrier with flight number, time place of expected arrival in ZI. A

brief narrative description of capsule condition should also be included

here.

During Flight, the cannister should be kept if possible in

pressurized section of aircraft or failing that in the section of the

aircraft where moderate temperature prevails. Careful handling of

canister is required at all times to minimize shock and damage. Extremes

and sharp variances in temperature should be avoided.

a. a WDZSD-130

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