◆ SpookStack

the Air Force was filling at the Retalhuleu Base. 85/ The decision to turn to the Air National Guard for qualified air operations personnel in January 1961 was not any hurried decision on the part of DPD planners. Shortly after the authorization for DPD to participate in Project JMATE, contact had been made with General Wilson. Sidney Stembridge, a security officer for DPD, and Lt. Col. George Gaines made the initial con- tact with General Wilson. One of the reasons for visiting Wilson, was that the ANG in Washington had two B-26's which the DPD representatives asked if they could borrow to train crews. This was agreeable to Wilson; and when additional planes and crews were needed, Wilson took DPD to visit the commanding officer of the Georgia Air National Guard, General Davey -- who in turn sent them to General Reid Doster of the Alabama Air National Guard. General Davey's Georgia Air Unit had phased out of the B-26's, but Gen. Doster's Alabama Group was still familiar with that particular aircraft. 86/ Following the initial contact with General Wilson, Sid Stembridge and a contracting officer from DPD, Lyle Miller, signed up five of the DC Air National Guard. - 70 -