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Other groups in the military became part of the 509th, particularly the 393rd Bombardment Squadron, which was transferred from Nebraska to Wendover in September 1944. For a final layer of secrecy, this unit was to be a “composite group,” meaning all necessary support groups would be part of the unit, including air service crews. In addition, throughout training, the men would not be allowed to know the purpose of their unit. The bomb would need to be accurately dropped from a safe distance of eight miles away, and the pilot needed to perfect dramatic turns and dives to avoid the bomb’s blast. On September 1, 1944, Tibbets was appointed to be the commander of an organization that “might shorten the war.” He was charged with training crews to fly modified B-29s that would eventually carry a 9,000-pound bomb. Tibbets, a pilot with exceptional record in bombing missions in Germany and experience with B-29’s. Captain Parsons, Norman Ramsey, and John Lansdale of Project Alberta met with Colonel R. The first step was identifying the man who would command the unit. The 509 th Composite Group, the crew to man these planes, was created in 1944. Project Silverplate, which focused on designing the planes to carry the bomb, was started as early as October of 1943. There were two components of this challenge: developing planes to carry the bomb, and training airmen to fly them. While scientists of the Manhattan Project focused on the functionality of the atomic bomb, Project Alberta, headed by Captain William “Deak” Parsons, focused on the plans for delivering the bomb. On August 6 and 9, airmen of the 509 th flew from Tinian Island to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, carrying the Little Boy and Fat Man atomic bombs. Prior to being stationed on Tinian Island, the 509th underwent extensive training with the modified B-29 Superfortress at Wendover Army Air Field in Wendover, Utah. The 509th Composite Group was the weapon delivery arm of the Manhattan Project.