C conics G. W. Johnson 2. Page Three COPAA~317 It is not reasonable to accept the viewpoint that air support is essential from the zero site to the ships for the purpose of per- sonnel transfer. 3. For safe operation, in the one or two personnel transfer trips which must be made, ships launches are safer than LOM'’s, LCPL’s or LCVP 's. 4 The first shot will broach the reef and will allow the LSD to anchor and discharge the second shot barge in quiet water. 5. It will be possible to hold small boat moorings in the southern 6. The necessity for return of the experimental ship to Bikini or lagoon except for perhaps the last shot. Eniwetok during the Taongi operation will be only on the basis of need other than personnel transfer. 7. The LSD can be utilized for the transfer of the very few personnel who may have to move between atolls. We are proceeding with our planning on the basis that from the technical standpoint the Taongi operation is to be as independent an operation as possible comprising two main units; the experimental ship and its complement and the LSD and its complement. 8. It is realized that other non-technical support will probably be deemed necessary at Taongi and this plan only encompasses our requirements. As previously stated in UCRL report on the Taongi proposal, COL-57~11 dated 19 February 1957, it is preferred thet the AEC fund for and procure a ship on a fairly long term basis. It is very desirable that the vessel be in AEC control, rather than U. S. Navy, in order to facilitate and expedite any present and future modification work. We wish very much to establish the viewpoint that this ship is repre- ~ sentative of a large scientific station. Overall justification for the initial expense, for instance, can be compared to the combined cost of Stations 70, 2300, 1320, Fox Camp, and Station 2~308 at NTS. The combined total for the above stations, bare of scientific equipment from the H&N reports, is approximately $3,000,000. The functions per- formed in these facilities will all be aboard the experimental ship. It is preferred that she be manned by a civilian complement with certain routine functions of operational services specifically designated as Holmes and Narver responsibility. We ask for K&N in the performance of the following service operations aboard because we deem it essential for basic morale to provic* an equal standard of living to that of a T.G,. 7.1 at Parry Island. ay