‘eee porarily atteched to BAIROKD for CASTLE, to provide intercept eapatilities at both atolls three aircraft were aseigned to each. The Eniwetok elesent we based om the airstrip there with a DDE at that atell performing fighter sontrel duties. Until EAAW the Wiking eleasnt we based on the Bikini airstrip wer cont?) of BAL ROKO’s OIG, OF officer personnel from both BAIROKO and CURTISS were aacigned temporary duty throughout the Operation in the Tack Group 7.4 Air Cperations Center at tniwetok, with the fusction ef previding to BAIROKO and the Faivetok fighter control DUE up-to-date information on flighte transiting the area. & Yor BRAVO the Bikinf element wae noved back aboard BAIROXO, and prepared te eonfect flight eperationa fren the CVA during the Tele clement period the ship was outside the lagoon for the shot. - was never returned te Mkinl, After BRITO it was fspoasible for the sireraft to operste from the heavily eontaninated airstrip. |“ BATROKO was needed inside the lagcon to condnet helicopter operations that were absolutely eseential te eontinustion of the tests, It we cen- eluded that the intercept eapability at Bikini could not be maintained without seriously hindering the CASTLE progrea, and the three Bikint aircraft with their personnel were pleced ashore at Eniwetck and he probable Joined with the three alrareft originally base@ there. ineffectiveness of these prepeller drives atrereft had modern eneny Planes entered the area contributed te thie decision, After BRAVO all six fighters continued to cperate from Paivetek. oes \~ mT a , qs 3 2 2 1 ~*~ > = a