On future operations it would appear that the use of an LSD with a heli- copter platform working in conjunction with the DD's and a carrier would enable recovered nose cones to be rapidly returned to shore. As an alternate plan, the projects might well mount their counting trailers on recovery ships so-that critical data can be analyzed promptly. 3.11 SAMPLE R&TURNS The sample return program was supported by MATS in an outstanding manner. The cooperation of all concerned enabled the flyaway missions on Hardtack to be accomplished faster than on any previous overseas operation. Prior to the operation it was estimated that approximately two aircraft would be required on most shots, and a program was developed by the JTF 7 Sample Return Director in coordination with MATS and J-3 and J-4 of TG 7.1 which provided for three C-97's to support each shot as follows: one each for Flyaways 1 and 2, and a third aircraft for back-up. When two shots were scheduled for the same or consecutive days, a fourth C-97 was committed. These aircraft normally arrived at Fred 36 hr before scheduled shot time. After shot dates were more firmly established, it became apparent that careful preplanning and proper positioning of flyaway aircraft would allow consolidation of samples and therefore reduce this requirement considerably, and it was possible to satisfy all requirements of a 32 shot schedule with 42 flyaway aircraft. Flyaway 1 aircraft for UCRL shots were routed Eniwetok-Hickam-Alameda, and for LASL shots, Eniwetok-Hickam-Kirtland to minimize enroute time to the Laboratory having primary interest in the cloud samples aboard. Flyaway 2 requirements were combined with other flyaways whenever possible, and routing was determined on the basis of the relative urgency of the samples aboard. All flights terminated at Travis. Under normal wind conditions the C-97 aircraft are capable of making the Eniwetok-Kirtland flight within 22 hr, and the flight to Alameda in 20 to 21 hr. Average flight time to Kirtland on Hardtack was 25 hr, and to Alameda, 21 hr. Routing through Alameda to Kirtland added less than 2 hr to total flight time. This excellent enroute time was, to a large extent, made possible through the efforts of the LNO personnel and MATS at Hickam AFB. On arrival of a flyaway from Eniwetok, a second C-97 was waiting with crew aboard and engines running. Samples were transferred to this aircraft, which completed the mission. In many instances ground time was reduced to 5 min. MATSalso provided back-up aircraft at Travis to support flyaways routed to both Alameda and Kirtland. The TG 7.1 Operation Plan, Annex G, placed responsibility for handling flyaways on J-4 in coordination with J-3 and J-1. The working arrangements which evolved were that J-3 determined which samples each Task Unit had to return, desired departure time, routing, and couriers, and informed J-4, which ordered sample return aircraft through JTF 7, operated the sample return compound on Fred, assured that samples were properly packed and marked, delivered them to the aircraft, and released it to the JTF 7 Sample Return Director. Although use of flyaways to move passengers was dis- couraged, J-1 handled any requests for transportation of personnel for urgent official or personal reasons. 100