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~ATANBIARD FORM ND. 44
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Office Memorandum * UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
3
Brig. General Alfred D. Starbird, USA
Director of Military Application,
FROM
K. F. Hertford, Manager, Albug
AEC, Albuquerque
SUBJECT:
UCRL PROPOSAL FOR HARD’
DATE:
Y
ashington, D. C.
a. cif pages
JRR-33608
_ BYMBO1
We have reviewed the subject proposal and submit the folowing
comments :
General:
Taongi has previously been considered by the Test Organization
as a possible test site. Due to its peculiar location with
respect to inhabitated islands of the Marshall Islands, it has
always been recognized as having distinct advantages from a
safety aspect. However, its limited size, unsuitable entrance,
and anchorage facilities have weighed against it, particularly
CaroF
from the standpoint of blast and water damage to diagnostic
‘
stations and heavy contamination of these facilities.
"
With the development of methods of obtaining diagnostic data
remotely from a diagnostic ship and the apparent willingness
of UCRL to forego in certain of the larger shots the detailed
diagnostic information, which in the past has been generally
considered necessary, it is agreed that reconsideration of the
use of Taongi is appropriate.
On the basis of preliminary reports of the Task Force Weather
organization and Taongi's geographical location with respect
to populated islands in the Marshall Islands, it seems quite
.
obvious that firing from Taongl should be appreciably easier
than from Bikini or Eniwetok. Shots can be detonated at Taongi
under norma]. wind conditions,, whereas at Bikini it is necessary
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