HISTORY - Page 34

Administration and Coordination Bog Although the Army stood ready to react to Air Force direction with respect to JUPITER development, none was forthcoming. And, when the Army took the initiative in seeking Air Force requirements, it was met with rebuffs. In December 1956, ABMA's representative at WDD placed several requests for documents concerning operational requirements, concepts, and military characteristics. These were refused by Brig. General Osmond J. Ritland, Deputy Commander, WDD, based on the contention that there were no implementing instructions in the Wilson memo. With regard to another request of the same sort and in the same month, a February 1957 answer from General Ritland indicated that such requests should be made only interdepartmentally at the headquarters level. It had already become apparent to ABMA in December 1956 that cooperation was going to be difficult, so they had requested the Army Chief of R&D to seek USAF operational requirements and military characteristics, and in January 1957, DCSOPS informed ABMA that such action had been taken. The next month, General Thomas D. White, Vice Chief of Staff, USAF, replied and suggested that the technical liaison units be used to interchange such information. This action should have settled the issue, but it did not, for later in the month, General Ritland stated he had not received the correspondence. Although he was shown the message, the general said he did not feel that he had the authority to release the requested information. However, he did say that ABMA should prepare a formal request to WDD; and, when the message from USAF was received, up-to-date general _____________________________
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Jupiter SM-78 Weapon System

I&C Team 2, Çigli AB, Turkey 1961-1962 Chrysler Corporation Missile Division
Made with Xara

HISTORY - Page 34

Administration and Coordination Bog Although the Army stood ready to react to Air Force direction with respect to JUPITER development, none was forthcoming. And, when the Army took the initiative in seeking Air Force requirements, it was met with rebuffs. In December 1956, ABMA's representative at WDD placed several requests for documents concerning operational requirements, concepts, and military characteristics. These were refused by Brig. General Osmond J. Ritland, Deputy Commander, WDD, based on the contention that there were no implementing instructions in the Wilson memo. With regard to another request of the same sort and in the same month, a February 1957 answer from General Ritland indicated that such requests should be made only interdepartmentally at the headquarters level. It had already become apparent to ABMA in December 1956 that cooperation was going to be difficult, so they had requested the Army Chief of R&D to seek USAF operational requirements and military characteristics, and in January 1957, DCSOPS informed ABMA that such action had been taken. The next month, General Thomas D. White, Vice Chief of Staff, USAF, replied and suggested that the technical liaison units be used to interchange such information. This action should have settled the issue, but it did not, for later in the month, General Ritland stated he had not received the correspondence. Although he was shown the message, the general said he did not feel that he had the authority to release the requested information. However, he did say that ABMA should prepare a formal request to WDD; and, when the message from USAF was received, up-to-date general _____________________________
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