INTRODUCTION CHAPTER| NARRATIVE SUMMARY SECTION | Engineering and Construction planning for OPERATION CASTLE, a test series consum- mated in early 1954, was first distinguished from its predecessors, [VY and GREENHOUSE, by the inclusion of Bikini Atoll as an auxiliary proving ground to Eniwetok Atoll. Bikini Atoll is located in the northeasterly region of the Marshall Islands at approximately latitude 11 degrees 35 minutes north, longitude 165 degrees 25 minutes east. It lies 189 nautical miles east from Eniwetok Atoll. The Field Manager, Eniwetok Field Office, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, authorized Holmes & Narver, Inc., (H&N) in letter PG-1- 612 dated on 12 June 1952, to make a preliminary reconnaissance and study of Bikini Atoll to determine the feasibility of using it as an auxiliary proving ground. The results of the Figure 1-1. study formed the basis of a report entitled “Auxiliary Proving Ground, Marshall Islands” which was submitted to the Field Manager, Eniwetok Field Office, on 2 August 1952. The report, finding the project preponderantly fea- sible, included estimates on the number and types of aircraft, ships, and landing craft that would be required, the cost for development of the sites, and the cost of the support services which would be needed. Bikini was seen to be an elliptical lagoon 24 miles in length by 12.5 miles in width, en- closing an approximate area of 250 square statute miles within its coral reef ring. There are 29 land areas and numerous sandbars. Thetotal combined land area is approximately 2.8 square statute miles. Two deep water passages are lo- cated in the southerly perimeter of the lagoon, Typical Island Vegetation - Bikini Atoll Page 1-1