Copilot Snoddy came back momentarily to the rear of the aircraft to make sure Downey and Fecteau were ready.

Then Schwartz and Snoddy flew the aircraft away from the area to allow the team time to set up the poles and line for the “snatch.”

Pilots Norman Schwartz and Robert Snoddy had trained in the aerial pickup technique during the fall of 1952 and were willing to undertake the mission.