“

oayfenont.

In addition to the normal control fac

, the Intercept

Controllers were aided in the AOC by Approach Controllers and a Search and
Rescue Center.

.

The Bikini AOC was established aboard the USS BOXER on 11 March using
the regularly installed radar and IFF gear aboard this aircraft carrier

operated by Air Force Controllers.

This control center was used for primary

control on test events in the Bikini area and as an adjunct to the Eniwetok

Operations Center to control transient aircraft and aircraft flying locally
in the Bikini Area.
The MSQ-1A and the M-33s were used for positioning the effects aircraft
on practice missions and test events.

The ability to position aircraft with-

in a matter of feet or tenths of a second on test events with these radars was
necessary because of the criticality of the position of these aircraft at
H-Hour and the need for very accurate after the fact information in order

to interpret properly the effects data obtained.
While the effects aircraft were controlled and placed in proper position
by the MSQ-1A and the M~33 radars, controllers in the AOC monitored the progress
and positioning of the aircraft visually on their radar scopes and aurally on
the aircraft's individual UHF control channel.

To aid in this monitoring

the controller drew the aircraft flight path submitted by the project
personnel on his scope indicating time check points, abort points and track,
and position of last possible abort.

By closely monitoring the progress of the

aircraft along this flight path, constantly checking its actual position
versus its planned position at any time check point and knowing its make-up
capability, the controller could advise the Commander as to the momentary
position of the aircraft and suggested course of action.

If, at any time, it

became apparent that the aircraft could not be in proper position, the

12h

APWL/HO

Select target paragraph3