NIMBUS 3084 & 3085

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00776R000100130001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: SUMMARY

25X1A
25X1A
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Nimbus 3084 & 3085
1. Mission 3084 was originally scheduled for a 0609402
launch. However on a flight made on 27 June an auto pilot problem
was encountered (rudder would kick intermittently).
summer replacement) worked on it. Another test hop
25X1A
flown 29 June with some problem plus pil press fluctuation 44..45
PSI observed. Pilot reported engine slightly rough on a third
test flight 3 July.oil press fluctuated 46 + 3 PSI plus moderate
engine viberation above 84% - heaviest at 88%. A fourth test flight
flown PM 3 July to check oil press fluctuation. Eng vibration was
the same or slightly worse. At this time it was decided that the
engine should be changed. Unfortunately no replacement engine was
on hand. Hqs stated a 0-124 would bring one in the evening of 3
July. Engine actually came in 4 July 1900L, The maintenance section
worked around the clock and the test hop was successfully flown PM 5
July. Hqs delayed another day primarily due to the engine arriving
lEit?so a training mission was flown 6 July (full fuel & all equip)
to check out performance. Mission was good except for anotherA.P.
problem (wings would not level after turn). The A.P. male'. was
found and the acft was considered in commission for Mission 3084.
25X1 A 2. When
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25X1A
original planned departure,
prior to our
said there would likely be a
problem on the housing & vehiclesjpossibll none. I messaged Rigs
requesting that
requirements laid on. They came back with an order to send a "recur
e this A-1- i 1 45-
25X1A tr
a---- R.cer d
oop
ow
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3. Det departed Edwards 7 July 0730 PDST in C-97. Arrived
25X1A -220 CST. Hqs Comoro people were already there and ready to go
to work as soon as they received the Commo field safe which had
the cryptographic material. All personnel were housed in the BOQ.
4. WX came in early PM 7 July and we were all set well ahead
of the time for a 08/0930Z launch. It should be noted that the new
SSB emergency code received from Hqs the day before we left was
cranked in.
5. The ferry mission came in on schedule and the msn (3084)
was launched on schedule. The local WX was good & forecast to
remain good.
25X1A 6.
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
the msn pilot, aborted after penetration approx :30
due to "D" light going out. As a result he arrived back at
0
approx two hours early. I had given the tower my quarters phone and
requested I be notified if he returned early. We recovered the aeft
with no problem. There were numerous descrepancies on the aeft
(nothing to cause an abort) besides the "B" maif. Unfortunately,
1ruel was insufficient to return to Edwards without .re-fueling.
So we refueled and launched back home for another try in 48 hrs. It
auto pilot compnents do not work wither Od#f
A.P.)in all cases since the recent modification.
7, Mission 3085 was set up for a 10/0935Z launch. The ferry
flight came in on schedule and everything seemed to be going smoothly.
The mission was identical to 3084. Unfortunately, during the preflight
411
inspection,~Maint found4 ignite plug inoperative (one of two). After
considerable checking it was determined that the problem was a. bad
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25X1A
25X1A
ignition excite# box. This required engine roll back, I
decided that it was undesirable to say the least and unsafe to
fly the mission with only one !G plug. Decided to launch the
bird home for repair. Hqs &
agreed. Launched 10/1200Z
on the return ferry. Due to the engine roil hack and a test hop
afterward, Mission 3085 was delayed 48 Hrs.
8. Mission 3085 was rescheduled for 12/09302 launch.. Ferry
flight came in on schedule. The mission was launched on schedule
and flown as briefed. The local -weather was good for T.O. & landing.
The acft landed with cabin heat having been full hot for the last
1+30. Maint changed the cabin temp by-pass valve &. amplifier and if
this had been the problem, re-launch would have been on schedule.
Unfortunately the problem remained. Naint finally changed the control
switch in the cockpit & it was cleared up. The ferry msn then launched
to Edwards.
9, We plan o launch the C-057'& T.33 that evening but the c-97
C/bs3
had a red oaree.condition. Number 3 prop would not feather/unfeather,
This problem was discovered that noon but the work order was late in
getting to SAC Naint. They estimated that it would be fixed in 2-3
hours so T decided to launch the C-97 that evening as soon as it was
fixed. Finally, at 2200L they decided they needed parts & special
tools. The C_97 pilot called his home base requesting same & another
acft pick us up. I had told Hqs previously that we had a problem
and they had said they would get us another acft if necessary. I
called Fqs early the next (y'ri) AM, asking for another acft. Also
25X1 10. 1
& I left in T..33 809 rkiday AN. Another C-97 returned
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 25X1A
25X1A
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General:
(1) Housing & vehicles were no problem. The motor pool did pick
up our two vehicles Mon (9 July) i,rithout warning. I visited I
that same day. Both interviews were
congeni4l.
stated that SAC could. not help us on
got our vehicles back for us. He would
like a letter or meg on our requirements so he can obtain more
vehicles. I told him one should be in the mill from higher Hqs.
I borrowed the 4428th mobile control - no problem.
(2) The 3-ton airconditioner motor burned out the day before we
left. We brought back the motor for exchange. Recommend an additional
one-ton unit be installed in the Comma garage. The 3-ton job doesn't
quite hack it. Do not feel that insulating the garage would be
practical due to cost., An evaporative cooler could be us9d instead,
but this type cooler is not too offi.cient in that area.
(3) I sent in a message requesting Hqs desires in case of a. hung
pogo on mission launch. They answered: abort.
(4) I recommend that other Det Cmdr leave their quarters phone
with the tower operator, in case the bird comes back early. On
25X1 A msn 3084,
25X1A
had called the SSB at Edwards Commo with an ETA
showing an early return and an unsuccessful mission, They took no
action to notify anyone. Hence I got up telephone alert at 1To
insure that they know what to do in the future,
prepared a
form that covers the code words, hours of SSB monitor and other
instructions in detail. The form would be filled in for each
NIMBUS Operation.
Major, USPPproved ase 2003/01/24: CIA-RDP74B00776R000100130001-5
Operation Officer
25X1A
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REE'UELING SINMA.RY OF UEADQUARTEHS MISSION 3065
Tanker departed Edwards
2/0825
Receiver departed Edwards
20835
Tanker arr Primary rendezvous (DLF RBN)
2/1035
Rece?'er arr Primary rendezvous Laughlin I3,BN
2/1050
Receiver experienced difficulty joining up
Departed on course
21109
5 contacts made in normal all disconnects
1 made in override
600 gal transferred
Arr Secondary orbit (Corpus Christi)
2/11382
Made one 360? turn
Departed Control Point
21145-z
completed refueling
2/1149
Receiver departed
21151
Contacted at II and advised to close up
2/1216
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TIGHTLIP EXERCISE 30 JAN THRU 3 FEB 62
1. Timing sequence:
a. U-3A departed EDW 30/0525L
arrived BIF 30/0925L
departed BIF 30/1415L
arrived DLF 30/1615L
b. T-33 departed EDW 30/1015L
arrived D/M 30/1145L
departed D/M 30/1330L
arrived DLF 30/1530L
departed DLF 03/0950L
arrived D/M 03/1330L
departed D/M 03/1450L
arrived EDW 03/1730
departed DLF 03/1255L
arrived D/M 03/1430L
departed D/M 03/1530L
arrived EDW 03/1700L
c. Article 3431 (departed EDW on Msn 31/0035L
arrived EDYT 31/0810L
departed EDW on ferry flt 02/2145L
arrived DLF 03/0045L
Article 3421 eparted EDW on Msn 02/0035L
rrived DLF 02/1220L
eparted DLF on ferry fit 02/1830L
rrived EDW 02/2120L
Article 3431 eparted DLF on ferry flt 03/1900L
rrived EDW 03/2210L
d. Two navy Aid acft were diverted from ED'tI to DLF for transport of
take. Number one aeft departed DLF with take 02/2323Z (1723L).
2. Sequence of events:
a. During the flight in to Biggs, the U-3A Number one tachometer went to
zero and remained that way thru engine shut-down. We carried a new
tack generator and instrument so we requested the base maint to make
repair. Unfortunately, these items were not at fault. The airman
assigned had no previous experience with U-3A's and was very slow.
He did, however, finally establish that the wires leading into the
tach gen cannon plug were loose and broken. It worked OK thereafter.
b. On arrival at DLF we set up a maint mee I for the next morning (Wed)
before departing Biggs I called EDW and advised of the
WX delay. arrived ahea o us, as already
in bed but we got him up.
c. Thurs morning after coordinating the GCI, I land I monitored
than 20 in the mobile from 0430L to 0730L. assed overhead on
schedule at 0500L and obtained his radius c earance. We never did
hear from the tanker during the time we were on the air. At 0712L
(1312Z) I Icalled "Mike Control" stating that he had been unable
to extend the receptacle and was returning to EDW. I immediately
called Hq. with this info. Isaaid he had Joe's phone number and
would call him right away. o d to be sure he called EDW
promptly as Joe would have to get things set up. I then called
et al, and cancelled the prior coordination.
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d. Thursday afternoon when the next msn was set up we again coordinated
the maintenance support. Contacted for his support and
OSI to handle =-qent to bed on schedule.
I shoo mention that the main runway at LF is closed, undergoing
extensive resurfacing. The outside runway is being used exclusively
except the N-S runway can be used in an emergency. The main problem
is the long taxi distance for landings to the SE. Fortunately, winds
were very light or calm. We landed 0 to the NW. After pogo in-
stallation parked him on the run-up area adjacent to 13R which is also
__
I to his house and kept him there
close to 13L. F
until the next day. passed overhead on schedule - I had already
coordinated GCI. We hacil in the cockpit ready for a 0615L (FRI)
1215Z T. 0. Kept him on the hose and ready to go until the KC 135
called in that we were released. We left the acft in position for
another hour. Then pup it in.hangar one which was empty. The base
WX people busted their forecast as low stratus came in early Fri. morn,
in 342 landed on schedule. Again we were able to land to the
NW and taxi him to hangar one. The acft was immediately pulled into
the empty hangar. with help from own-
loaded the config. The over-all handling of the take took longer than
anticipated - approx 3 hrs from msn landing to launch of the A3D. This
was due tol orking mostly by himself.
T. We launched 342 0 at 1#330L and 343t 1900L. 342 had
an engine driven fuel boost pump putting out only 16 psi. We decided
not to take the time to change it as 16 psi is in the normal operating
range and O was going back low. 343 still had a full load of
fuel from the night before - we did not want to d.efuel it until after
342 landed and we were released. Then the maint. people were too busy.
3. Recommendations (and comments):
a. The trng command had high density traffic during daylight hours - four
acft shooting touch and goes at the same time. Traffic pattern has
been changed. U-2's now break to the south (over the base) and the
trng command breaks to the north.
b. Recommend the KC-135 and U-2 not get a radius clearance over the
same radio fix. I overheard SA Center querrying the DLF dispatcher:
"What are you doing, refueling U-2's, now, you've got a U-2 and a
KC 135 over the RBCN - The U-2 is descending and the KC climbing?"
The dispatcher denied any knowledge thereof.
c. told me thati ha.d briefed the 4028th on
the details of c ec ou' a and his man overseas.
Pat said that erei been so many rumors about these items that
the Col called 2AF and got permission for the briefing.
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d. Recommend something be done to whow our appreciation for
really fine assistance. He was with us from 1I arrival with
until we launched on the return ferry. He did a really fine
job.
e. Another outstanding performer was He was most helpful as
a legman in addition to his regular PE duties. His attitude is ex-
ceptionally fine and he is thinking all the time. He did many little
things without being told - like renewing trip tickets, helping carry
baggage, obtain a spare recorder and set it up. He was most helpful.
f. One final item. Maint should add to their checklist that they carry
blue painted hatch covers for installation when the acft lands. We
did borrow a set initially but they weren't of the right color. As
it turned out we didn't have to use that set.
g. Recommend that we land the U-3A at El Paso International and Tuscon
Municipal airports in the future. They will have 91 octane fuel and
better maintenance available. All you can get nowadays at AF Bases
is the high octane fuel - this will foul up the plugs over a period
of time. Also, rental cars and commercial acft would be available at
the civilian fields. All we need is AF contract fuel available.
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