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PROCEDURE
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— 2.1 SHOT PARTICIPATION
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Prior to the operation, aerial surveys were scheduled to follow Shots Cherokee, Zuni, Flatbead, Navajo, Apache (secondary participation), and Tewa. Because Shot Cherokee was delayed,
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Program 2 requested that the project add Shot Lacrosse to its schedule in order to give the aerial
survey an opportunity to obtain operational experience. However, this survey was cancelled,
because flight clearance below. 1,000 feet in the region of Eniwetok Atoll could not be obtained. ©
A change in the Apache scheduling introduced a conflict with the project’s participation during
Navajo. The new schedule called for dual capability involving both Enlwetok and Bikini Atolls.
Participation in Apache was therefore, canceled.
Because of the long waiting period between Flathead and Navajo, the project requested sec-
ondary participation in Shot Mohawk.
Preshot surveys were flown before the Navajo and Tewa shots, based on a Program 2 request,
to define the background status resulting {rom the flow of contaminated lagoon water over the
reef at Bikinl.
Helicopter missions, for altitude absorption data, were originally scheduled after Shots Semi-pole,Mohawk,andNavajo. “Themission for the latter was subsequently canceled at the request
of the project, because of a shortage of personnel. During June and July, it was necessary to
assign two technicians to Kwajeleia to service the aerial-survey equipment; therefore, they were
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The project operations are summarized in Table 2.1.
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Manyprojects.in Program 2 studied different phases of fallout. Project 2.64 developed iso-
dose plots of thecontaminated areaserialaurusps. The operations were primarily to secure
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2.2 OPERATIONS.
aerial survey data; subsidiary measurements were performed in support of this objective to
correlate this data. Altitude absorption studies were required to verify the correction factors
used in relating the aerial survey to a reference plane 3 feet above the surface.
2.2.1 Aerial Surveys. FourP2Y-5aircraft were-essigned for the project operations, and
were administratively attached to the Security Squadron, Patrol Squadron1. Three the air-
i craft_were_supplied from outside the squadron, and the fourth came from its assigned strength.
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squadron provided all maintenance and operational control. This control was shifted to the
Program
m2 Control Center on the USS Estes, AGC-12, during the sertal-survey flights. The
Air Operations Officer, Task Group 7.3, assumed primary radio guard during this period.
The plan of the project air control in the Program 2 Control Center is shown in Figure 2.1.
_ The communication routing is shown inFigure 2.2. The telemeter operator logged all incoming
radiation readings, which were immedjately recorded on a time-based continuous plot. Navigational information was received from the radio operator on Channel C (6693 kc). The Project
2.64 Operations Officer correlated the navigational and radiation data on the rough Might-control
cbart. The plotter transferred this information to the tactical isodose plot, under the supervi- ‘
sion of the 2.64 Project Officer, who used the flight and isodose charts to determine the next
area of search for each aircraft. The operations officer laid out the required navigational ref-