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| 1211th Test Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Martin RB-57D-2 53-3979 collecting atmospheric data during Juniper Nuclear bomb test; Operation Hardtack I 22 July 1958 at Bikini Atoll | |
| Active | 1953–1963 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Atmospheric Sampling |
| Insignia | |
| Patch showing 1211th Test Squadron emblem |  |
| Patch showing 4926th Test Squadron emblem |  |
The1211th Test Squadron is an inactiveUnited States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the9th Weather Reconnaissance Group, stationed atKirtland AFB,New Mexico. It was inactivated on 8 June 1963.
The squadron conducted nuclear cloud sampling during atmospheric testing.
The idea of atomic cloud sampling developed from atmospheric testing duringOperation Sandstone in the spring of 1948. During the operation, an aircraft accidentally flew through an atomic cloud. An analysis of the radiation dosages received by the crewmembers was found to be minor and led to the realization that sampling could be accomplished effectively with crewed aircraft.
Analyses of samples collected from atomic clouds were considered the most accurate method of determining the efficiency and yield of a nuclear device.Air Force Special Weapons Center (AFSWC) scientists accompanied the squadron on sampling missions in order to assess effects on humans. TheAtomic Energy Commission (AEC) recommended that the USAF establish an organization specifically for gathering cloud samples.
In 1953, HQ, USAF approved a test squadron for sampling atomic clouds; the squadron was titled the 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) and assigned to the 4925th Test Group (Atomic). The new squadron was created within AFSWC's 4925th Test Group (Atomic), as the group, up to that time, had assisted the AEC and AFSWP in nuclear weapons effects tests and had actually developed operational techniques for airborne sampling of the effects. These included in-flight laboratories to gather airborne data on test results, piloted and drone aircraft to sample radioactive clouds, safety aircraft to measure radioactivity in areas surrounding tests, and nuclear-cloud-tracking aircraft to establish fallout patterns.
Initially using theF-84G Thunderjet, TheB-57B Canberra was first used duringOperation Teapot in 1955. By 1956, the B-57B was a staple of the AFSWC sampling program. In addition to the dedicated men of the 4926th TS, many aircraft and crews were pulled from operational squadrons around the Air Force to help formulate procedures to operate successfully in a nuclear environment, if necessary. Flying the B-57, the 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) participated in many operations, the majority at the Nevada Test Site and the remainder at Eniwetok Atoll.
In April 1961, shortly after Air Research and Development Command was redesignatedAir Force Systems Command, the squadron was transferred toAir Weather Service and renumbered 1211.[1]
With the end of atmospheric nuclear testing in 1963, the squadron was discontinued. Its personnel and aircraft were reassigned to the58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.[2][3][4][5]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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