O83 CHAPTERII, SECTION 2 SECTION 2 CONSTRUCTION The last detonation of the CASTLE Operation took place on 14 May 1954; thereafter, the construction force was occupied with the recovery of scientific equipment and with placing the Proving Ground in a stand-by condition. In July 1954, the Fred Airfield Improvements Program was authorized, which involved asphalt paving of approximately 300,000 square yards of apron, and seal coating approximately 114,000 square yards of runway. The roll-up phase extended to approximately 1 September 1954 due to the great amount of decontamina- tion and equipment rehabilitation work re- quired. By this date, the reduction of personnel surplus to the needs of the Proving Ground had basis to meet population requirements, Thefirst task group of 29 H&N employees and two AEC represcniatives departed Elmerx in the USS Belle Grove (LSD) on 9 October. This vessel made three roundtrips, through which equipment and materials were stockpiled at Nan as previously planned. This task group, supported by an LCU outfitted as a houseboat, was engaged in preparation of the area for occupancy. The reuse of the old Nan campsite had been contemplated in order to utilize existing concrete slabs and utility lines, but attempts to decontaminate the concrete slabs were not satisfactory since most of the readily removable or soluble irradiated particles had been previously washed off by been affected; there were approximately 700 contractual employees at Jobsite, of which ap- normal rains, and further decontamination was impracticable, therefore a new camp site was se- Shortly thereafter, approval was received With the arrival of LST 618 at the PPG on 30 October 1954, the Eniwetok-Bikini LST shuttle service was established. On 5 December, 34 H&N employees were landed at Nan for per- proximately 260 were assigned to the Construction-Maintenance Division. for Plant and Equipment projects of Fiscal Year 1955 amounting to approximately $1,500,000.00, the major items of which included a deep water pier for Elmer and eleven barracks for Fred. This approval was followed by authori- zation for constructing the camp and airport at Nan and miscellaneous other items. The Commission's approval of this work at that particular time permitted full employment of the available men and eliminated the need for further reduction in personnel, thereby assuring a good nucleus of experienced men which could be expanded to meet Operation REDWING requirements. Construction planning for the Nan camp contemplated the early establishment of logistic and communication lines, advance stock- piling of equipment and construction materials, removal of existing radioactive hazards, estab- lishment of a beachhead camp from which con- struction activities could expand, early construction of the airstrip, and construction of the camp in three increments. The first increment was to provide the capability of accommodating 250 men, the second was to increase this capability to 500, and the third increment to 1,000 men. To provide for early air support, the Peter- Oboeairstrip was rehabilitated to permit limited air operations until the Nan airport could be placed in operation. Construction of increment No. 1 of the Nan camp (250-man capacity) and the Nan airstrip was actually authorized on 21 Septem- ber 1954 with instructions that housing tents were to be erected only on an “as-needed” ected. manent assignment. This force was gradually augmented, and by the end of 1954 there were 150 men employed at Nan. Construction of all approved items proceeded in a routine manner in the early months of 1955. Reconnaissance of other probable construction sites was made dur- ing this period to determine logistics and prob- lems involved in an operation with a scientific structures program similar to CASTLE. Checks of radiation levels indicated that rad-safe con- trol measures were required at practically all sites in Bikini Atoll and in the northern islands of Eniwetok Atoll until levels could be satis- factorily reduced through normal clearing and grading operations. By the end of March 1955, the operating force had been increased to 850 men; the second increment of the Nan camp had been approved and was nearing completion and satisfactory progress was made on approved work in both Atolls. Interatoll communication andlogistic lines were well established; the first plane had landed on the airstrip at Nan on 15 March; the deep water pier and barracks con- struction were ahead of schedule; a camp-issue building and an electrical overhaul shop were completed at Elmer; the Tilda and Elmerair- strips had been rehabilitated; and numerous miscellaneous items had been undertaken. In March 1955, the Contractor undertook the construction of a small camp, radio station, and appurtenances on theislands of Jabor, Kili, and Majuro. Reconnaissance of the proposed construction sites to determine the best aprroaches and beaches for landing materials had Page 2-15