Chapter 5 - Operational Phase
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(peration HARDTACK involved the detonation of some 35 nuclear devices. |
Of these, 11 were detonated at Eniwetok, 22 at Bikini Atoll, and two at
Johnston Island.
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On four occasions two detonations occurred the same day”
and 17 occurred on successive ays.) A total of 257 sorties were flown
in connection with the operation.
The organizational structure and the
resources made available to Task Group 7.4 proved adequate to meet its
mission committments. Five of the events: the two underwater shots, WAHOO
and UMBRELLA, and the three high altitude shots, YUCCA, TEAK and ORANGE,
gave rise to some new operational problems but in each instance we were .
able to resolve these problems and perform the required missions.
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The command arrangements in the forward area were varied depending
on location of events and operational requirements.
The first event was
YUCCA, the high altitude balloon shot conducted at Bikini Atoll.
This
event imposed some unusually stringent command and operational problems.
The TaskGroup Commander exercised command of the air operation from the
Air Operations Center (AOC) in the USS BOXER.
His deputy, was responsible ~ -™
for the dispatch and recovery of test aircraft from Eniwetok.
He used the
Air Operations Center at FRED Island, Eniwetok Atoll, as his command post.
On subsequent Bikini events, the Bikini Air Operations Center was under the
direct on-the spot supervision of either the Task Group Commander or one of
his senior officers, and the Task Group Commander exercised overall contro]
from the FRED AOC.
The Commander of the Test Aircraft Unit was responsib].
for the pre and post-mission operation of aircraft on the air base.
He e
ercised this control from a radio-equipped vehicle on the ramp itself.
Flying safety Officer or a senior operations officer manned the towér dv
missions to assist in expediting landings and takeoffs.
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