. JACKMAN

Colonel, USAF

it of Administrative Services

HEADQUARTERS

AIR FORCE BALLIST/0 MISSILE DIVISION (ABDO)

UNITED STATES AM FORCE

Air Force Unit Post %lice, Los Angeles 45, California

SPECIAL ORDERS)

NUMBER 695 )

15 September 1960

Under the provisions of AFBMDR 11-6, the following named Officers, Hq

AFBMD (ABDO, this station are appointed a Board for the purpose of studying

events involved in launch and recovery operations of Discoverer XV. The Board

will meet at the call of the Chairman. A'report will be submitted to the

Commander, Hq Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, upon completion of the

study.

BRIG= ROBERT E GOES, 1672A Chairman

COL OWYHEE S CURTIS JR, 4088A Member

COL RAY E SOPER, 11333A Member

FOR THE COl4MANDER:

DISTRIBUTION:

3 - WDPMO

1 - WDGC

6o - Chairman

1 - WDAA
SUBJECT: DISCOVERER XV Recovery Operations

By SO #695 (incl 1) a Board of officers composed of Gen Greer and

Cols Curtis and Soper was appointed to study and report on Discoverer XV

recovery operations; primary purpose of the study being identification of actual

or potential deficiencies.

In the conduct of study, Board member( s) reviewed records and held

discussions with:

WDZ project office.

6594th Test Wing --

c. Recovery Control Group

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oho

kAFO/PMR --

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3. A summary of the sequence of significant events in the recovery attempt

as identified by the Board is appended as incl 2. In its examination of the

recovery plan and its execution, the Board concluded:

The plan was reasonably adequate for recover , VAIL the 60x200 NM

recovery area but inadequate for other than Year' r110'1412111t" success in the

downrange area of actual impact.

With one

to communication inadequacies/ 1:• vented imuntrch

tAhs OM. NAAL- JeAt1,.)' *U

qukto-prebablr-aeua have resulted in capsule recovery.

this circumstance are set forth in incl 3. The fundamental problem was lack of

60.4.1400t OAM siuttiotir 401

authorityll io employ available pars,' personnel.

c. Future recovery plans, concerned w/both subsequent Discoverer capsules

executed in an

1-11*

Particulars regarding

notable exception the recovery att

loaa E4/44•1.4

appropriately assimird. energetic4

mmmamr. The unfortunate exception, due in part

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as well as later Samos requirements, will require considerable flexibility

and latitude to assure a degree of success. Assuming that the importance

of recovery will dictate a requirement for a high measure of success, positive

measures need to be taken immediately to augment and enhance the recovery

capability. Measures which appear of apparent need to the Board are identified

on incl 4.

4. It is recommended that:

The measures identified on incl 4 as immediate action items be promptly

implimmintAmi.v4.4:46:XJZ f16.4;;-.04-.

A. more detailed study be initiated immediately to determine additional

actions Vhich should be taken to better assure recovery effectiveness.

Greater emphasis be placed on efforts to improve the performance of

the satellite system(s) governing the accuracy and repeatability of the

deorbiting and reentry operation.

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C-119 Recovery Aircraft Crew

Pilot

Copilot

Navigator

Pole

*Photographer

Harold E. Mitchell, Captain, 39402A

Richmond (NMI) Apaka, Captain, A03009748

Robert D. Counts, 1st Lt, A03065536

P. Burst, SSgt, AF34730693

Bannick, TSgt, AF17021127 •./ ,

Alipene (NMI) Slum% SSgt, AF14363461

George W. Donahou, A/lc, AF54048386;5'(

Daniel R. Hill, A/2c, AF13606761

Laster L. Beale, Jr, A/?c, AF11337082

Wendell (NMI) King, SSgt, AF15536421

*SSgt Wendell King is assigned to the 1365th Photographic Group, MATS,

Orlando AFB, Fla.