History - Air Force Technical Applications Center [AFTAC]
AFTAC History
Soon after the end of World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower
recognized the need to monitor nuclear programs; in 1947 he directed the
Army Air Forces to be able to detect atomic explosions anywhere in the world.
In 1949 a AFOAT-1 air sampling mission aboard a B-29 flying between Alaska
and Japan detected debris from the first Russian atomic test, an event the
experts had predicted couldn't happen until the mid-1950s.
Since then the long range detection program, now assigned to AFTAC has
evolved into a unique resource that monitors compliance with nuclear treaties,
supports the nation's space programs, and helps protect everyone during
emergencies involving nuclear materials.
http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/aftac/history.htm
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Created by John Pike
Updated Sunday, November 02, 1997 6:18:25 PM
