War thence to BALHUAD for distribution to snips. After EniVO ant the temporary aloaing of the Bikini airetrip, BiIksKO continued to ect ag the receiving and distribution point for units at Bikini, but mzil was carried dvetween Knimnetok and Bikini by ship, hen the Bikini airstrip reopened, mail was moved by both air sai surface Lift. Delivery tina of air mail from the United Statos varied from 7 to 14 days, with occasional delays up te a month from the postmark date. 22. On several cecesions durin: April, it was necsssary vor CTG 7.3 to sxarcise command in the “ITsS or at Farry 4elemt for aday or tw, in GHTISS. : In each instance, Cid 7.3 Adechnistretion ressined During these periods, all units were directed to address all messages to both CfQ 7.3 and cTU 7.3 Admin, Both £STES and CURTISS copied all traffic so addressed, thus insuring thatall staff mecbers and the Comuander sould have gasplete acssage files at all times. This procedure resulted in sone duplication of massages bub was considered necessary in view ef the rapidly changing situation pricr to the detoa= ation of YakXER. 230 «The rorry telant com-unication facility was reactivated on a fuli tine basis on 6 lay concurrent with the shifting of the cfd 7.3 (lag ashore from CURTISS, Althougt shot—tine cccuniestions were Rendled aboard SU.TISs when RSCTA was [ired, the shore statica re- rained fully waned until 1614KM kay shen the Lest official asssage was sent. AFWELENO