HISTORY - Page 72
adjusted its proposed training program and submitted it to the Air Force in August, but at that time it
appeared that one of the two IRBM's, and quite probably the JUPITER, would be dropped. Thus, the Air
Force expressed no interest in the Army presentation. This situation remained until 17 October when the
Air Force was told by the Secretary of Defense to cooperate in the development and deployment of the
JUPITER. From that time on, studies on the ways and means of attaining a JUPITER personnel force became
serious
100
.
To meet a deployment date of December 1956, General Medaris proposed that REDSTONE training
equipment be used and Army personnel scheduled into this training be used to man the JUPITER in the
initial phases of the program. Later these personnel would be replaced by those from the Air Force. This
idea was rejected
101
.
In early January 1958 the training program became more defined. During a general conference on the over-
all weapon system, it was decided to start entering Air Force personnel into ABMA courses in February
1950. This plan involved 20 airmen for 16 weeks in propulsion and structure training, 20 for the same
length of time in G&C, 20 to Ft. Belvoir for LOX maintenance and operation, and the entrance of the 864th
SMS commander and 20 other officers into general training beginning with a one-week REDSTONE
_____________________________
100. Hist of the JUP Tng Pro, p. 17; Fact Book, subj: JUP Project Rqmts, Tab IIc, 14 Oct 57, Hist Off files.
101. DF, Cont Off to ORDAB-D, et al., 25 Nov 57, subj: Early Opnl Capability, Hist Off files.
Jupiter SM-78 Weapon System
I&C Team 2, Çigli AB, Turkey 1961-1962
Chrysler Corporation Missile Division