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MARSHALL ISLANDS RESEARCH VESSEL
ABOLISOdSY
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NOILOATION
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Dr. dames L. Liverman, AGM for
Biomedical & Envfronmental
Research & Safety Programs, HQ
SCC/
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NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE
P.O. BOX 14100
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
née 403 iv
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UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
y30704
4O2119
Pursuant to your request of August 15, 1973, NV has explored the
available alternatives for the provision of dedicated {nter-atoll
transportation and on-site marine support in the Marshall Islands.
At the outset it became clear that the most logical base from which
to support such a vessel was the United States Army's Kwajalein
Missile Range (KMR).
At Kwajalein the Army currently maintains and
operates for its own requirements four LCU's as well as a vartety
of other vessels. In {nformal conversations with Army and support
contractor personnel, it has been determined that the addition of
one LCU to this fleet on a cost-reimbursement basis would probably
not represent a significant interference with the KMR mission.
To
be compatible with the existing LCU {nventory, the vessel should
be a 1466 class hull, which {s an Army-peculfar hull type. From
the U. S. Army Troop Support Command, it has been determined, again
informally, that such vessels, although not {n excess, exist in
sufficient numbers such that, with appropriate justification, one
could probably be made available.
From all standpoints it would
appear most desirable for the vessel to be assigned by the Army as
an Increase in KMR's authorization for the express purpose of providing specified support to the Commission.
Such a concept was offered for consideration and comment by the
Commander, U. S. Army Safeguard Systems Command (KMR's parent Headquarters) and met with a negative response. In informal staff discussions, however, {it became apparent that the Command (1) viewed
the NV proposal as a diversion of effort from the KMR mission,
(2) felt that it lacked any justification for requesting augmenta-
tion of its marine department resources, and (3) was concerned
about reimbursement. It is suggested that all of these concerns
might be dispelled by having the Department of Defense formally
incorporate the required support in the mission of the Safeguard
Systems Command and, in turn, of KMR. Such a mission assignment
would, of course, {nclude provision for full reimbursement of all
appropriate costs by the Comaission.
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