the organization of Task Group 7.4 stated the requirement for eight (8)
C-54 aircraft, eight (8) L-20s, three (3) L-19s, and fifteen (15) helicopters, either H-19s or H-2ls or a combination of the two.
PACAF was
required to furnish three (3) of these C-54s, ARDC was to furnish two (2),
and KATS three (3).
The three (3) C-54s furnished by MATS were te be
primarily aerial photo aircraft, but were to be used to supplement the
airlift requirements.
PACAF was to furnish all of the helicopters.
ARDC was to furnish the eight (8) L-20s and was to arrange with the
Army for the loan of the L-19s.
Seven (7) SA-16 aircraft were to be
furnished by MATS for Search and Rescue, and for the amphibious weather
island re~supply requirement.
All of these aircraft except one aerial
photo C-54 were in place or arrived during March 1958.
The control of these aircraft was divided according tc the primary mission each was to perform.
Those aircraft which were to re
primarily engaged ir transport cperations were placed under the coz.trol
of the Test Base Unit.
These inc2uded five (5) C-54s and eight (8)
L-20s which were fcrmed into the Fixed Wing Element, and the fifteen
(15) helicopters, rine (9) H-2is and six (6) H-13s, which formed Detach.
mer.t #4, 24th Helicopter Squadron.
The Tes Services Urit had ccontrcl of
the SA-16s which formed the Search and Rescue Element (SAR), and she
three (3) MATS C-54e which were a part of the Aerial Photo
Elemert.
The
SAR Element was responsible for weather island re-supply where orlywater
landings could be made.
The Aerial Photo Element C-54s supplemented the
heavy transport requirements of the TBU Fixed Wing Element when their
mission requirements permitted.
First two, and then three of the L-20 air-
craft of the Fixed Wing Element were detached to Bikini to provide airlift
between NAN Island and the PETER-~OBOE Island complex,
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