183 CHAPTER V, SECTION 1 CHAPTER V MAINTENANCE SECTION | MAINTENANCE The maintenance of all base facilities except for fixed communication facilities on Fred and David, JTF-7 communication facilities on Elmer, and military-owned equipment, were a responsibility of Holmes & Narver under Job 3 of the contract with the Atomic Energy Commission. Routine recurring maintenance was authorized through continuous maintenance work orders effective for the fiscal year. The continuous maintenance work orders covered each category of base facilities and structures as follows: (1) construction equipment; (2) buildings and structures; (3) other equipment, including land and marine transportation, camp, and office equipment, etc.; (4) land improve- ments such as airstrips, roads, and recreation areas; (5) utility systems, including electrical and water distribution lines, sewers, and POL distribution lines; (6) batch plant; (7) and aggregate plant equipment. For accounting purposes, work order numbers were assigned to the various components of each category in accordance with the chart of accounts. Maintenance that could not be considered routine and the cost of which was in excess of $1,000.00 was authorized by a specific maintenance work order. Specific maintenance work orders were also used when accumulated costs of an item were needed for study purposes or because of funding con- siderations. Included in the latter case was work chargeable to the Atcom maintenance fund; re- pair of equipment installed in the Army PX, Officers Club or NCO Club (the payment for which was made from unappropriated funds); and repairs to Navy boat pool craft and Bio-Med equipment. For the purpose of organizationalefficiency, the maintenance of marine, water distillation, and power generator plant equipment was a function of the Service Operations Division; all other maintenance was a function of the Construction - Maintenance Division. Routine maintenance authorized by continuous work orders was initiated upon the authority of the Division Head responsible for the work involved. The tropical atmosphere, high humidity, and salt spray prevalent in the Proving Ground were conducive to rapid corrosion and deterioration of all ferrous metals. Cleaning, sandblasting, and painting of such metal surfaces were necessary at frequencies varying from six to twelve months. During the interim and build-up periods this work was placed on a scheduled basis. Maintenance of aluminum buildings was confined to the repairs of roofing and siding caused by accidental, or storm damage; weather- proofing along the bottoms of structures; and operational repairs to doors, windows, shutter- arms, and plumbing and electrical fixtures. Maintenance requirements for Butler-type buildings were similar to the above with the added necessity of preserving steel components. Metal shelves in the warehouses on Elmer required cleaning and repainting at approximate six- month intervals. This work provided a backlog for the employment of stevedores when their services were not required for handling cargo. Maintenanceof the old style tents was confined to the patching of canvas, which deteriorated rapidly. The new style tents created more of a maintenance problem than the old type because they were not equipped with flies. These new tents leaked considerably during heavy rains; mastic applied to the canvas as a remedial measure did not satisfactorily alleviate this condition. Tents with outer flies appear to be the only solution to this problem. Maintenance requirements were particularly heavy for such equipment as cranes, trucks, trailers, and tractors used for constructing the man-made islands and causeways. This equip- ment deteriorated rapidly since it was operated in sea water ranging from two to five feet in depth. Preventive measures included spraying the equipment with diesel oil and greasing mov- able parts as many as 4 times a day. At the end of each working day the oil cases were drained, flushed, and refilled with new oil. Even with the most thorough preventive measures salt water action seriously reduced the life of traction mechanisms. Because of these conditions older equipment was used. A liberal supply of spare parts was essential to prevent deadlining the equipment. Upon completion of CASTLE, a major overhaul program was scheduled so as to have all marine craft in good operating condition for the next Operation. This plan involved the complete overhaul of 22 LCMs and 5 LCUs. As the craft could be deactivated after CASTLE,all machinery was removed for shop overhaul. All deteriorated or damaged hull parts Page 5-1