I do really enjoy the Newsletters that i received since I was working on the MK-5 units in 1954 in England. But I do have one comment. The photo of the MK-5 at the museum does not mention that the B-45's carried the MK-5's. The MK-5's were delivered in 1952 with the 1st TSS which later became the 1st TDS to RAF Sculthopre, Norfolk, England. The B-45's arrived shortly thereafter. I arrived in England in May of 1954 and worked on the MK-5's and saw many of the B-45's which carried them.
I noted that the sign in the Museum does not mention the B-45 as an aircraft that carries the MK-5. I had started writing a history of the 1st TDS, but have not finished it -- but it does have the facts concerning the B-45's. I just wanted to bring to someone's attention that we were the first Tactical Unit (to my knowledge) that worked on the MK-5's and the B-45's at RAF Sculthorpe and the other Bases where we had Detachments. I have attached the unfinished writing that I had started. You may use it as you please, but I did want to straighten out that fact.
Don Read's
What About the 1st Tactical Depot Squadron
Compiled by Donald W. Read December 2008
When I started to write a small article about the 1st Tactical Depot Squadron, I wondered what the title should be. What message should it 
carry? Then a friend suggested that a story should begin: "One of the nuclear deterrents during the Cold War was the presence of nuclear weapons at various U.S. Air Force bases in England, i.e. the 47th Bombardment Wing, with Tactical Air Force light bomber and fighter squadrons, and the 1st Tactical Depot Squadron that supported the missions of some of the Units". We do not see much about a Unit such as ours, but there was a reason - Security.
The early 1950's were troubled times with the Soviet Union building its stockpile of atomic bombs. Something had to be done to counter that threat. So between the British Government and the U. S. Government there was an agreement that the U.S. would send and support a nuclear force at RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk, England. The RAF Sculthorpe site was selected as the best due to the configuration of the land and the remains of an RAF WW-II Air Base.
Sandia Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico was the area where Units had been trained on Special Weapons (as the bombs were noted). So we back up to 'Records' which show the initiation of Units that could be used to move, check, repair, and test Special Weapons that existed at that time. On 16 November 1950 the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Aviation Field Depot Squadrons were formed. They immediately began training on Special Weapons. On 1 September 1951 the training was stopped on the 6th AFDS, as the Air Force had decided to re-designate what the Unit was to be called. On that same date, 1 September 1951, a new Unit called the 1st Tactical Support Squadron ( 1st TSS ) was formed utilizing a lot of manpower from the late 6th AFDS. Others were gathered in to complete the manpower requirements. The training continued until 18 February 1952. The 1st Tactical Support Squadron (known as the 1st TSS) was moved to Langley AFB in Virginia to complete more training. It was here that some Officers, who were pilots, were removed and sent Westward. These were replaced mostly by ROTC Officers.
Now, let us go back to Sandia Base. On 14 July 1952 the 9th Aviation Field Depot Squadron was formed ( known as the 9th AFDS ). This unit trained on the same Special Weapons until 15 Mar 1953. Basically, the Units were the same except for nomenclature. Now we have the two units that will carry our story forward. Both were a group of highly selected Airmen and Officers who were more than able to carry out their assignments. As they trained, there were rumors as to where they would be deployed. Possible assignment areas were highly classified, but both of these units, as well as others, were ready and able to go where needed. The advance group of the 9th AFDS flew to England via RAF Prestwick, Scotland.
To take the response of caring for the Special Weapons is one thing, but what was going to carry them to a target, if the need arrived? The North American Aviation B-45 Tornado 4 engine jet bomber was the one chosen for the Tactical Air Force. To quote from old newspaper clipping kept by an Airman at that time: "Members said that their planes are fully capable of their mission even though the B-45 is considered obsolete. It was one of the first jet bombers developed, and production was stopped during the economy drive in 1948 and 1949. Resumption of their manufacture later was believed to be almost as expensive as making newer types. The bomber flies so fast that it doesn't need more than two 50-caliber machine guns in the tail for protection, according to crew members. A plane that moves ‘at over 550 miles per hour' doesn't fear attacks from the side or front. Last year two members took third place in the Bendix air races, flying B-45's". Other articles stated that the B-45 Tornado, a 55 ton aircraft, could drop 20,000 pounds of bombs, including atomic weapons, deep on the continent of Europe. The Tornados operate at a high level, reaching 45,000 feet, in night or day regardless of the weather, and aim by radar.
The only similar aircraft are some reconnaissance models used by the Strategic Air Command. A headline in the New York Herald Tribune, Thursday, May 14, 1953 had headlines: "U.S. B45 Wing, Based in England, Could Drop A-Bombs on Continent".
Now that we have trained personnel and a bomber, what was the B-45 going to carry as it's payload? Since the two Atomic Bombs were dropped on Japan - an action that ended the Pacific War, newer and smaller Bombs were needed. The MK-4 was developed and deployed by SAC, but they were too large for smaller lighter jet bombers. Work was started on one that would fulfill the task. Many changes were advanced and then changed before the MK-5 was ready for duty.
Although longer, this one was smaller in diameter. Over time there were four versions of this MK. The MK-0, MK-1, MK-2 and MK-3 according to viable sources. Each was better than the other and the last had IFI capability, (In Flight Insertion). As I recall, we had the MK-5, Mod 3 when I arrived at the base in May of 1954. Lots could be written about the transition over time, but that is not needed here.
Now we have the personnel, the aircraft and the special weapons needed for the whole Group. The Airmen and Officers were trained and ready to go when they received Orders for Unit movement. Actually, over a short period of time, the 49th Air Division, the 47th Bombardment Wing with its' Bomb Squadrons were ready to move to RAF Sculthorpe, said to be the largest troop movement since WW-ll. This was a highly classified mission, according to the Paris Tribune two years later, as stated by Brig, Gen. John D. Stevenson. (from a newspaper kept by one who was there). The 47th Bombardment Wing, now led by Col. David M. Jones, a veteran of the Doolittle raids, said is was the first jet-propelled American Unit to join NATO forces. (as noted in the New York Herald Tribune paper as noted above.)
On 14 April 1952, Special Order, #77 was issued by Headquarters, 47th Bombardment Wing, Light that sent the 1st TSS to RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk, England. The Order was divided into three Sections. Two were to go by air and one by ship. A small advance group had to go first to get things ready for the oncoming troops. When the troops arrived at Hampton Roads POE, Newport Beach, Virginia they were to board a ship called the HAHN, a troop carrier. Although the movement was supposed to be unknown to the general public, a national magazine had a large article about the movement. And a band was there playing ‘Empty Saddles'. So much for a secret. The trip across the Atlantic to England took several days. When they arrived at the English Port, Southampton, they were greeted by large banners reading HUSBANDS WANTED. One Officer told me that within four hours of arrival, Moscow Molly greeted them by radio. Then on to RAF Sculthorpe near Fakenham, Norfolk, England by train, bus and cars. Another officer told me that, "When we arrived at RAF Sculthorpe, all that was there was one British Officer for Communications waiting for our arrival to turn the Base over to us."
A few months later, the 9th Aviation Field Depot Squadron (9th AFDS) would arrive. Now for a period of time, Sculthorpe would have two Units 
trained for basically the same task. It must be remembered that overseas Units of this type were new to the Air Force and it would take time to decide what role each would play. When I arrived in May of 1954, both Units existed and although on the same base, we only knew each other socially. We did not ask, and neither did they. When I first arrived, we had no organizational patch and we wore 45's as side-arms for a short period of time. I was in the 1st TSS for a few months, then reassigned to one of the eight detachments, Det. #3 which was on Sculthorpe while the other Dets. were at other bases.
In the 1957 Sculthorpe Book - 1957 in England - : 1952 - May : Return to England (RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk) to support NATO as the 'first US jet-bomber force in England'. Tactical elements, 84th and 85th Bomb Squadrons. 49th Air Division also headquartered at Sculthorpe, with the 81st Fighter Wing (Bentwaters) and 20th Fighter Wing (Wethersfield) as fair-weather components. MISSION: Miitary Retaliation force for NATO using conventional and atomic weapons." Then a note: (NB; The main support elements arrived at Sculthorpe on 29 May. Ariel units touched down on 9 June after flying via Goose Bay, Labrador and Iceland.)
In 1954 the A.F. decided to change the Units at RAF Sculthorpe. If one investigates the unit records they will see that the 9th AFDS ceased to exist about the last of May, and the 1st TSS disappeared within the new organization, the First Tactical Depot Squadron (1st TDS), and the men of the 9th AFDS were absorbed with the new TDS at the same time. Then in a short time the Security men were transferred to the Air Police Squadron. One has to review the records closely to see exactly how this took place --- as it can be confusing to understand. Eight Detachments were formed along with an Integral Unit which was a mystery to most until recently. Det. #1 was at Wethersfield, #2 at Bentwaters, #3 at Sculthorpe, #4 at Manston, #5 at Woodbridge, #6 at Wethersfield, #7 at Alconbury and #8 at Shepherds Grove. The number of Dets. and their assignments would vary over the years.
I was in Det. #3 at Sculthorpe after being in the 1st TSS and the 1st TDS for a short time period. Due to security reasons most of us did not know what went on at other Dets., nor did we have any need to know. Occasionally one person might be sent TDY to help another Det. or a complete Det. might be sent TDY to help established a newer one. We found out later that the Integral Det. trained others for various weapons and most of us had no reason to be associated with them. But their role was special.
I was able to obtain actual declassified Orders for 1956, 57, 58 and 59 periods. So we can have a feeling of what happened during those times. It would take volumes to tell a host of stories and events that actually took place over this time period. This is meant to just give you a feeling of the time period and some changing things that took place. We could go in depth about the winning Basketball Team, the Sword Masters or trips that the base took care of, as well as visitors, Civilian, Military and Professional, but that carries us too far off subject. In a CD I am working on, one will find folder #41 by Robert Alterman which gives a lot of additional data on the 1st TDS as well as other information. Those that were there at different times and in different roles have somewhat a different look at what went on over time.
