taskGroup 7.4 helicopters also provided support at Bikini during the
build-up phase until relieved by a Marine helicopter squadron in late
January 1958.
To coordinate all airlift requirements, the Test Base Unit operated
the Eniwetok Airlift Operation Office.
This element was manned by civ-
ilians furnished by Task Group 7.5 and military personnel of Task Group
7.4.
This element coordinated transportation requirements with the Trans-
portation Coordinating Agent of each Task Group, and allocated space
available on the various scheduled and special airlift flights.
They
also operated FRED Control, which was responsible for flight following
and coordination of liaison and helicopter flights among the islands
of Eniwetok Atoll.
The C-54 aircraft flew regularly scheduled missions between Eniwetok and
Bikini and between En’wetok and outlying sites.
During the operational phase
of HARDTACK, and before the cessation of activity at Bikini at least two scheduled flights a day were made between Eniwetok and Bikini, except that at the
height of the build-up, three (3) flights per day were required.
Weekly
flights were made to Naurw and Tarawa, while monthly flights were made to
Truk, Guam, Kwajalein, Majuro, Wake, and Midway Islands.
Many additional
flights were made to all of these sites and to other places when special
requirements existed.
When technical complications required that the TEAK
and ORANGE shots be moved from their planned site at Bikini to Johnston
Island, weekly flights betiveen Eniwetok and Johnston Island were instituted.
As this operation neared D-Day, the tempo of these flights were stepped up,
and a shuttle between Johnston Island and Honolulu became necessary.
From
the beginning of the operational phase of HARDTACK in March 1958 until
100
et
AFWU nO
TY
a
ft
cn
fie