PLoP SUBJECT: Status Report, Clecusp of Hikind Atoll (U) , 8 MSY 1803 to the natives or interfere vith their ovriculturel use of the laad, as a prerequisite ta resetticnent, end referencos d and e designated Director, Defense Atonie Support Agency (DAZA) os the DOD aad AFC Project “enager for this operation, Funding in gxsounts of $500,000 @ach frow AEC and DOD wore provided to support cleanup operations commencing in FY 1569, with 8700 C00 to be provided by the Department of Interior in FY 1070 to corplete this task. 3, A combined military end civilisn-contractar Task Group under Comsonder, Joint Tork Forco EICLT QJ7P-8), DASA, comprising 23 men with @yulpsont, landed on the Atoll by ehip on 18 February 1569 and began the cleanup optration, By 23 February en alr strip was operational and giified for Lalitary Atrhizt Cound fight orsrations, 4, The Bikini Tesk Group currently oworises @ total of 40, of whoa 17 ere military. Tho work ff procecding estisfactorily, Ag ef now it is | . #pproxisately £53 conuplete, which is sufficient to afford a realistic eppratsal ami definition of the overall tesk. No sigsificant operational eifficulties bave toca exsortenced end none ere forserst, A cotailed listing of kaown clentuy itess, vith planncd disposition, is beins prepared 25 a besis for inter-spency concurrence on the coupletion of the ATC-POD taska, Preseat estisste ig that the lattor can bo corpletod by Octohor 1369 if tha nocesnary additionnl fuws in the amount of $700 ,00O are aveilzble by 1 July 1833, 8&8, Specific coment on the funding situation and requirexentsa will be the subject of separate correspondence, Lh. M, MUSTIN CF: ATSD(AR) Chairuan, JC AGYMASAES VADM, USN Director