AFACX Col Gibson/vcj/71769/13 Jun~ 46

13 Jun~ 1946

SUBJECT: Mission of the 58th Bombardment Wing

'lID: Commanm.ng General, Strategic Air COlIl!'land, Bolling Field, D.C.

1 • .. This headquarters has approved the concept, as described in the attached charts, of one VH Wing being the initial unit of the atomic striking force of the AI"'Y Air ·Forces. The mi ssion of this Wing and other Wings to follow is for this unit to be capable of immediate and sustained VLR offensive operations in any part of the world, either independently or in cooperation with land and naval forces, utilizing the latest and most advanced weapons. As an additional mission of this Wing, assistance must be given the Manhattan District in the air testing phases of its mission and provisions made for Army Air Forces Uai_son with the' Manhattan District on policies pertaining to the use of atomic bombs and .information pertaining thereto. As will be noted in the attached chart (Tab A), the StrategiC Air COtlllland will eventually pass this portion of .its mission .to the· Air Materiel Command. The time of such transition of mission ' is dependent upon the speed and facility with which the Strategic Air Command can absorb suffi­cient information on the atomic bomb to fulfill the mission of tactical efficiency in the employment of the atomic bomb.

2. The follOWing action has been taken by this headquarters to effect the organization of the 58th Wing:

a. Adjutant General letters have been published establishing this ~ing at 100% strength in accordance with organization attached as Tab B.

b. Preparation of training directives to the Strategic Air Com­mand setting forth the training requirements to govern in this Wing's operation"

c •. Preparation of the necessary requirements program to supply proper equipment, Silverplate and otherwise, to organize the Wing in accordance with Tab A.

d. Necessary action to establish tre screening priority to assign all personnel available now partiCipating in the Crossroads Project to the Strategic Air Command on pennanent change of station.

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Declae8ifled lAW E.O. 12958 by the Air Force DeciaMIIIcaIion OffIce and

Approved for Public Release.

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Date: /O,.jUL1£'C4j #(2.5"

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~e olaced on any 0i:'f'icul t;r crisinr: from ·lack of persOJ1liid , lllck of equipnent., or I t'1ck 07

1 sufficien.t c:'a~ity in l!. i!'~ctjVFS to thr~ G:'ra~Je~!ic ~\ir v OHiT1C1.tJd ':rorn this lleadquartnr:=: . T;-d~ rA ,nrt lJill he in aCtiit::' :'m _ to the normal ::tat~stical · control reports .

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GIEITIS E . · Le l1lJd 11.;i or General, l'S ··Army Deputy Sbir~f of Air · ~;taff for

:1es","J:ch and . Development

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-1945-

FLIGHT TEST SECTION

W£NDOVEI1- KIIC'TLAND FLD. 10P ~ECQET VEQeAl MISSION DIRECTIVE

SILVf~PLATE (J./C - 5

-1946 -AIR. MAT£2IH COMMAND

LIAISON STAFF ASSIGNED TO WING"A"

, SIATIOHED AT KII<TLAtiO WITH FLIGHT TEll SfCTlON

-1941-1948 AII2 MAlf2IEl CO.,WlANO

fliGHT TE:; I ANti GEVfUJP­MENT " KII2TLAND FIElD

MANHATTAN DISTfIC( LtAI':>ON

LOS IlUlMOS - SRNDIIl

./ MAMIlATTAtI DI5fI2IC

L1AISON

LOS ALAMOS- SANDIA

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Mc1~ATIAN OIST~I(l Lta\~ow

LO~ RUlMOS" SANDIII

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