angus to the fact that nanyofthepersonnel of many of the scientific
projects did not understand the proper channels through which to request
special airlift support.
Also early in April a fatal helicopter accident
at night and under adverse weather conditions caused a re-evaluation of
helicopter procedures which subsequently placed restrictions on night
liaison and helicopter flying.
This policy restricted to some extent
the support many scientific projects had planned for and through mis-
understanding the reasons for these operation limitations, some adverse reaction was experienced.
Coordination with scientific project
personnel and with supervisory personnel of Task Group 7.1 ironed out
most of the difficulties and misunderstandings and during the last half
of the operation support airlift activities operated very smoothly.
During HARDTACK, the H-19's flew 1262 hours and carried 6710
passengers and 57,300 pounds of cargo.
The H-21's flew 25 hours and
carried 23,328 passengers and 307,150 pounds of cargo.
See Figures 16
and 17 for summaries of helicopter operations.
The SA-16 aircraft of the SAR Element flew regular weekly schedules
to the weather island sites of Wotho, Kapingamarangi, Uterik, Kusaie,
Rohgelap and Ujelang.
These flight had to be made in amphibious aircraft
because no airstrips were available at these sites.
hours on airlift flights.
173,701 pounds of cargo.
The SA-16 flew 1119
These flights carried 1390
passengers and
Certain problems were encountered in this oper-
ation but they will be discussed in the portion of this section devoted
to the SAR Element.
The three (3) L-19 aircraft were used primarily as executive transports.
Two (2) were based at Parry Island and reserved for use of Joint
ii
ita,
{
AFWL/HO