.
SREP
gg
CDR Palmer had exoressed considerable confidence in the extrapolated data,
and that it was his opinion that the three-point stations were unnecessary.
In fact, the Taongi station appears only to be necessary for geographical
location and probably would not change the hodograph pattern already
established by the meteorological study made by CDR Rex. This statement
caused considerable discussion since the original opinion of JIF Met people
seemed to have encouraged rather strongly taking observations at Taongi
during the period comparable to Hardtack observations. It had been on this
basis that UCRL requested the station which led to this conference. It was
therefore requested of Col Massey that JIF immediately bring about a reevaluation by the weather people to determine the following:
1, The justification for any weather observation effort at all
at Taongi.
2.
Whether the establishment of a shore station in July would
bessufficiently valuable to justify its cost. (The only
feasible means that appears possible to shorten the time of
establishment of a station, other than the assignment of a
ship, would be an air lift by carrier ship and helicopter
support. In this manner an austere type station might be
established in May. It is not eonsidered economically feasible or probable that such support could be obtained.)
3.
The possibility of assignment of a ship (probably destroyer
type) in the area in lieu of establishment of shore base
station.
4,
Reevaluation of the proposition for a three-point station
in lieu of one-point.
,
Incidental to the conference, Col Massey made known the U. S. Coast Guard
wants to establish a Loran station on Kapingamarangi using the same site
as the existing weather station. Mr. Howell has received a request from
the U. S. Coast Guard to furnish them asbuilt prints of the installation
so that siting can be accomplished. This development would cause
Kapingamarangi weather station to become a satellite of the Ioran station
since one messing and personnel service facility would exist. It is understood that no support or construction will be required of H&N if this
conversion takes place.
Col Massey was requested to contact Lt Col Schnittke on his return to
Washington to fill in DMA on the discussions of this conference.
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