40 Approval was received on 26 August 1954, for the preparation of working drawings and original estimates for the temporary camp facilities contemplated for construction at Nan. In September 1954, approval was also received for the plant and equipmentprojects for Fiscal Year 1955, amounting to approximately $1,500,000.00, the major items of which included the deep water pier at Elmer, and the eleven bar- racks at Fred. The release of this work permitted a fairly constant level of employment during this transitional period. Planning for the construction on Nan contemplated advance stockpiling of material and equipment at the site, prefabrication of building assemblies at Elmer, the reactivation of equipment in Station 70 for the early establishment of interatoll communications, the reduction of the existing radioactive hazards at the campsite, rehabilitation of the Peter-Oboe air- strip for limited service, the establishment of a beachhead camp from which the construction program could expand, and priority construction of an airstrip suitable for landing C-47 type planes. To provide the logistic support, arrangements were made through AEC channels for utilizing an LSD type ship for the initial landings and the continued use of an LST thereafter. The LSD was selected for the initial landings inasmuch as heavy equipment, such as cranes, could be transported without being dismantled, and because the tranfer of LCU and LCM craft could be more easily effected. Dismantling of cranes is necessary when an LST or conventional type vessel are used. The con- tinued use of the LST was essential for the establishment of an Eniwetok-Bikini shuttle service, since construction at Bikini was predicated on the fact that the main supply and repair base would remain on Elmer. On 24 September 1954, construction of Increment No. 1 of the Nan camp (250-man capacity) was authorized with instructions that the housing tents and latrines were to be erected only on an as-needed basis to meet population requirements. The first task group, consisting of 29 H&N employees and two AEC representatives, departed Elmer on 9 October 1954 in the USS Belle Grove (LSD). This task group was supported at Nan by an LCU outfitted as a houseboat during the period when the LSD madethree roundtrips for the movementof material and equipment. The LSD wasrelieved by LST-618, which arrived at Jobsite on 30 October. During the month of November, the operations preliminary to the establishment of a beachhead camp continuedas previously planned. The beachhead camp was ready for oc- cupancy by 5 December and 34 H&N men were janded there on that date. This force was gradually augmented, and by 1 January 1955, there were 150 men employed in Bikini Atoll. CHAPTER!, SECTION 1 With the authorization for construction of the Nan camp, various studies and appraisals were undertaken to determine the engineering, construction and logistic problems that would be involved in an Operation with a scientific structures program similar to that of CASTLE; these studies were made with the expectations that firm requirements for causeway construction would be available by 1 April 1955, and for scientific stations, by 1 July 1955. Included in these studies were the best means for reducing radioactive levels at probable construc- tion sites; the feasibility of using bases afloat in lieu of shot-island camps; the condition of existing scientific stations, submarine cables, and causeways; and the availability of shot barges and high speed personnel boats. Because of the widespread destruction and contamination of the land base camps caused by CASTLE detonations, the subsequent difficulties in operating from shipboard, theinitial high cost of temporary shot-island camps, and the uncertainty of finding habitable land areas in the vicinity of shot-islands, consideration was given to the practicability of using quarter boats instead of shot-island camps for both the construction and operation phases of REDWING. it was proposed that should such type craft be acquired, they would be anchored fairly close inshore at the major construction sites and would be moved to sea during evacuation. These vessels were to be completely staffed by the Contractor. Investigation and inspection of the U.S. Navy-type barrack vessels indicated that these craft were possibly suitable. Funds were made available in the Fiscal Year 1955 Budget for activation of one of the vessels. Subsequent developments, particularly the ease with which radioactive levels at camp sites were reduced, led to the abandonment of this project. Through the months of December 1954 and January and February 1955, work progressed satisfactorily on approved items of construction in both Atolls. By the middle of March 1955, construction at Nan was ahead of schedule; the airstrip was 78% completed, and C-47 type planes were landing on regularly scheduled flights. The interatoll teletype and radiophone communication systems had been activated and the work in connection with housing, messing, shop, warehouse and POL facilities was well under way. At Eniwetok Atoll the airfield improvements program had been completed, progress on the Elmer deep-water pier and the barracks on Fred was ahead of schedule, the Elmer and Tilda airstrips had been rehabilitated, and a considerable number of miscellaneous items of construction had been undertaken. On 15 March 1955, there were 850 contract employees at the Proving Ground. Page 1-3