Our Mission Revealed

By Lloyd R. Spanberger

It was the early 1960s and our country was in the midst of the cold war with the Soviet Union. President Eisenhower had, earlier, decided to initiate development of a spy satellite system to obtain strategic intelligence data on the Soviets. A massive program was instituted to accomplish this goal and, as part of the overall program, the concept of an all-military facility to provide R&D support and duplicate imagery processing from these satellites, was ordered. This began the establishment of the AFSPPF, which operated for 15 years in that capacity. This story describes the mission of the AFSPPF and what it was like to work in an Ultra Top Secret operation, whose mission was not disclosed until now.

No-one involved with our operation could talk about it to anyone, including family, friends or anyone else in the military, unless they were properly cleared and were amongst those who needed to know. All content herein was derived from the personal recollections of our remaining members and from what little official declassified documentation we could find. It is hoped the reader will enjoy learning what it was like to work in such a unique Top Secret unit of the U.S. Air Force.



AFSPPF was an Air Force Headquarters unit created in 1961 to conduct the research and development (R&D) necessary to provide the best possible production equipment and techniques in support of special projects specified by the Secretary of the Air Force. There is no declassified documented record of the activity within the facility. The facility operated in a Top Secret, Black Opps mode throughout its entire 15-year lifetime. Aspects of the units mission evolved over time, however the mainstay was production, evaluation and distribution of classified imagery, from spy satellites and aircraft, to our nations intelligence community, in a timely manner. The production and evaluation directorates, within the facility, also assisted with the many R&D projects in support of the overall national reconnaissance program.

It was an exciting time for all of us. We not only provided the best photographic intelligence possible to our nations leaders, but also had a lot of fun doing it. It was hard work and long hours, all with no individual recognition given. There was, however a degree of self-satisfaction involved. We knew and understood the objectives and often saw details of our advisories military capabilities that were never exposed to the public eye. The satellites and aircraft involved have now all been declassified and our mission can now be revealed, so all can see what really went on in such a Top Secret operation. This true story is not only about our mission, but about the unique, exciting and sometimes humorous experiences of the people who did the work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499011111

Lloyd R. Spanberger

Lloyd R. Spanberger is a former U.S. Air Force Captain, who served as a research physicist while stationed at Wright Patterson AFB (WPAFB), Dayton, Ohio in the Infrared Reconnaissance Division and, later, at Westover AFB (WAFB), Chicopee, Mass in the AFSPPF. While at WPAFB, he ran a successful three-year development and test project on the X-15 rocket plane to solve problems related to the development of scanning infrared reconnaissance systems in high performance aircraft, such as the SR-71. Concurrently, he spent considerable time working to help make FLIR (Forward-looking infrared) systems operational in more conventional tactical and strategic aircraft. He was, subsequently assigned to WAFB, where his problem solving responsibilities extended over to the various image processing and analysis aspects of the satellite reconnaissance mission of AFSPPF. While assigned to the R&D directorate, he was involved with virtually all Film Return Spy Satellites our country developed. He spent over two years recalling his own personal experiences and extracting recollections from the various surviving members of the AFSPPF. The result is the writing of this book. Lloyd is now retired in Maryland.

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Copyright © 2014 by Lloyd R. Spanberger.

Library of Congress Control Number:  2014910478

ISBN:  Hardcover   978-1-4990-1113-5

Softcover                978-1-4990-1118-0

eBook                     978-1-4990-1111-1

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Rev. date: 07/22/2014

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter 1   Formation of the First Military Satellite Film Processing Laboratory

Documented history?

Location, Location, Location

Today’s world

The day before yesterday’s world of military photo processing

What does the future hold?

Chapter 2   We Didn’t Exist

Security became a way of life

Distribution

Bridgehead

Chapter 3   As the End Drew Near

Chapter 4   What Went on Inside

Production Directorate

Photo Lab Division

SPPL-1 & SPPL-2

Exposure to Photographic Chemicals

Quality Control (QC) Division

Evaluation Directorate

PET team makeup and goals

Mission reports

R&D Directorate

Dual Gamma Processing

Microdensitometer

Computer Monitoring

Honest Broker

Exotic Projects

Laser printing and Microwave drying

An advanced look at high power lasers

Astronaut Training

CORN Management

Lab R&D

R&D Contracting

Logistics Directorate

Thinking outside the box

Civil Engineering Directorate

Commander’s conference room

Chemical treatment

Mulcher/Incinerator

Escort Duty

Extra Special Project

Vice Commander

Special Activities

Secure Communications (1814th Support Squadron)

Chapter 5   Ship It

A View from the other side of Production

Supplies and Work Space

Color Code

Waste Disposal (Not an easy task)

Chip It

Supply… and the R & D Arm of Eastman Kodak

Now… The Rest of the Story

Eastman Kodak and the civilian ‘retail’ market

Maintenance R&D

Courier Duty

Skiing Mt. Tom (Allen Ostdiek)

Who’s In Charge Here? (Allen Ostdiek)

Bubble Gum (Blaine Thacker)

Interservice Co-operation (Blaine Thacker)

Eddie’s Chop House (Allen Ostdiek)

Dedication (Allen Ostdiek)

Oklahoma? (Allen Ostdiek)

Chapter 6   A Day in the Life

A day in the life, during a typical mission:

Chapter 7   Programs We Supported

Satellites

Samos

Corona

Quill

Gambit

Hexagon

Dorian

Aircraft

U-2

SR-71

Tagboard Drone

Miscellaneous Organizations

Processing flow for film buckets dropped from satellites & Tagboard Drones

Special Tagboard Drone Missions

Chapter 8   Personal Recollections of CMSgt Jim Grimm (ret.)

Manning and Assignment Authority

Summary of Laboratory Operation

Creation of the AFSPPF Laboratory

AFSPPF Production Directorate

Functional Responsibilities

Photo Science and Engineering Training

Overview of Laboratory Activities

Laboratory Certification Process

AFSPPF Processing of Original Imagery

Production of Duplicate Imagery

Mission Completion

Production Statistics

Laboratory Special Projects & Achievements

Unique Laboratory Systems for Spy Aircraft and Satellites

Laboratory Production Systems

Quality Control Systems

Personnel Quarters

In-House Photo Engineering and Science Seminars

Private Mail Boxes

Private Military Doctors

Personnel Missing From Work

A Final Note

Chapter 9   Mr. George J. Myers – Historical Summary

Chapter 10 Associated Military Organizations

497th RTG (Reconnaissance Technical Group)

Rhine River Patrol: A taste of the real life

7499th SG (Support Group)

67th RTS (Reconnaissance Technical Squadron)

6594th TG (Test Group) / 6593rd TS (Test Squadron)

8th RTS (Reconnaissance Technical Squadron)

Chapter 11 Special Stories of Accomplishments and Interesting Incidents

Evaluate This! PET Is Borne

Rocks

Lost Forever

U-2 Support

Top Brass Chauffer

Travel Problems

Commercial Air Fun

Special Duty

Politics – Wife To The Rescue

Lost in DC

Sorry Sam

Sorry, Wrong Password

What’s Happening In New York?

Wives Stories

Cheryl Johnson story

Lynn Colville story

Collecting Satellite Sensor Calibration Data

First Moon Landing

Chapter 12 Conclusion

AFSPPF Memorial Plaque

Epilogue

Appendix A   Short Biographies of Major Contributors

Lloyd R. Spanberger: Author

Alfred (Al) C. Crane, Jr.

James (Jim) O. Grimm

Samuel (Sam) D. McCulloch

Appendix B   Short Biography of the Original AFSPPF Commander

Appendix C   Copies of declassified original NRO documents related to our organization

Appendix D   AFSPPF Origination memo from Maxwell AFB

Appendix E   Acknowledgment of our organization by the NRO

Appendix F   AFSPPF Reunion Photos

Appendix G   Select List of Members

Appendix H   AFSPPF Reunion Members (As of Sept. 2013)

About the Author

Dedication

Most all Cold War battle participants will never receive the respect and honor given those involved in conventional warfare activities because of the inherent differences between the two. However, these silent warriors possessed those qualities of Duty, Honor, and Country held in such esteem by all Americans. It is for these reasons this book is dedicated to those men and women who contributed to the mission of the Air Force Special Projects Production Facility (AFSPPF) and, by extension, to their spouses and families who had to endure the long hours and hardships imposed by the highly classified work involved.

Acknowledgements

I want to thank the many alumni who contributed to this historical rendering of our organization. Many personal discussions and several brainstorming sessions were held to establish the facts and recall the stories related to our experiences. Please see the appendices to learn of the many contributors and see a listing of those members who submitted a brief history of their involvement with the facility. This document could not have been written without their help and counsel. The reader is especially encouraged to read Appendix A for a biographical summary of major contributors, along with the author. The following individuals, however, have contributed immensely to the details herein and they deserve special thanks for their input. They are all good friends and were significant assets to our organization, during the time they served.

Alfred (Al) C. Crane: Al is a retired Lt Col, USAF who has spent several years researching the details of the facility’s history and has assisted in reviewing the entire document several times prior to publishing, to verify its accuracy. He served as head of the Quality Control Division of the facility and ensured that only the best product possible came out. I remember the good times we had while serving together during those years. We have met privately many times to discuss the various aspects of our history and its presentation to our members and families, as well as to the public. He has also contributed to the design ideas leading to the establishment of our memorial plaque, now on display in The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.

James (Jim) O. Grimm: Jim is a retired CMSgt, USAF who had an extensive career dealing with the development and processing of military intelligence. He ran the photo-processing lab of our facility for many years. He has provided detailed insight into the operation of our laboratory and the many aspects of the day-to-day operation of our facility. We have had many discussions regarding our history and his personal experiences. His insight has contributed greatly to the content of this book. He has also served with the many organizations we were affiliated with during our existence, especially in overseas locations, and is most directly responsible for the quality of the many precision photographic processing labs throughout the Air Force, during his years of service.

Samuel (Sam) D. McCulloch: Sam is a retired Lt Col, USAF who served in the formative days of our facility. He has provided many insights into its early operation and has contributed many interesting stories of unusual events that took place back then. I have grown to respect his knowledge and integrity as a person and advisor to this document. He has filled in many gaps of knowledge, concerning our early days, and has provided insight into some of the political factors involved, during those times. Our original commander relied on him for extensive technical support during those formative years. Sam attended many meetings with him and NRO/CIA high-level officials.

Allen F. Ostdiek: Allen was an Air Force Captain and the officer in charge (OIC) of the Shipping Section of our facility from 1967 to 1971. He contributed to our brainstorming sessions and the majority of content in Chapter 5. He helped review this entire historical document, prior to publication. He was responsible for shipping finished product to our many customers and arranged the courier flights to accomplish this task. He also served as a courier on many of those flights. Be sure to read of his experiences in Chapter 5.

Preface

Back in the 1950’s, the United States was in the midst of a Cold War with the Soviet Union. It is well known that President Eisenhower and his administration were seriously concerned about the Soviet arms buildup and what steps our country should take to counteract it. Our intelligence community had no way to verify what was going on in denied areas of their country.

What was desperately needed was overhead reconnaissance of denied Soviet territory, to assess their missile and aircraft inventory, among other things. This was no small task. During this period, President Eisenhower authorized development of the U-2 spy aircraft, which gave us our first look behind the Iron Curtain. This program had many of its own problems and when Francis Gary Powers was shot down, the U-2 project came to a grinding halt, at least temporarily.

Right on its heels, however, our country developed a top secret, supersonic aircraft now known as the SR-71. Although the Air Force SR-71 didn’t become truly operational until early 1964 (First flight in late December, 1963), its predecessor, the CIA’s A-12 was first flown in mid 1962 under the code name Oxcart. It was developed by the Lockheed Corporation, at their Skunk Works facility in Burbank, California, as was the U-2 and SR-71 aircraft, and was tested and operated at the extremely top-secret facility at Groom Lake, Nevada, also known as Area 51. While these aircraft provided a significant amount of intelligence to our country, Eisenhower, earlier, decided to exploit the potential of Satellite Reconnaissance. This would provide us with an overhead capability that couldn’t be challenged by antiaircraft missiles and provide us with intelligence information over denied Soviet territory, with no restrictions.

This decision led to the ultimate development of the Corona film return satellite, which provided our country with more data in its first successful mission, than all the previous U-2 aircraft combined. Not to say there weren’t difficulties with this system. It turns out, the first dozen missions failed, for various reasons, but then success came and we were on our way to a long and lasting program of space reconnaissance that still exists today.

This story is about the Air Force Special Projects Production Facility (AFSPPF), which began its evolvement in the early 1960’s. The facility was but a small part of the overall film return reconnaissance satellite program, but it played an extremely important roll. Its mission was, to conduct research and development (R&D) to provide the best equipment and techniques to support satellite photography and to produce, evaluate and distribute classified imagery from our nation’s film return satellites and aerospace vehicles, with the highest possible quality. The information, contained herein, comes from the actual experiences of the people who did the work and served in this Air Force organization. Some information comes from documents recovered from official NRO and Air Force records, but the vast majority comes from firsthand knowledge of our alumni.

Although there is some amount of technical detail included in this history, it was not the intent to bore everyone with an abundance of it. The primary intent is to tell the story of our existence and our mission by relating the experiences of our people and our facility, which had to operate in a highly classified mode throughout our lifetime. Intense technical detail, about the satellites themselves, etc., may be found on the NRO web site and from other government sources, now that these programs have been declassified. There, you will find all the detail you can handle. Here, you will learn what it was like to live and work in an ultra Top Secret environment, while serving ones country. We worked hard, we had fun and now it’s time to tell about it.

Chapter 1

Formation of the First Military Satellite Film Processing Laboratory

In late 1955, building P-1900 was built on Westover AFB, Chicopee Falls, Mass. Its purpose was to house the 8th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (RTS). The 8th RTS was established as a Top Secret Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit, created to process and interpret classified reconnaissance imagery, produce target materials, and updated cartography for SAC. Figure 1 provides an aerial view of building P1900, whereas; figure 2 shows the front entrance of the building during the AFSPPF days.

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