yo Chafter 7 - Communications Bi Communications for Operation HARDTAC“ were planned and installed to provide: essential air navigational aide for safe and efficient | operation of aircraft; rapid and dependable communications with agencies both outside and inside the Test Area; control and precision positioning © of all aircraft participating in a test event. Other factors which had to be evaluated in planning commmications and electronics (C & E) facilities were the heavy atmospheric radio noise on high frequencies, the very humid climate and the highly corrosive atmosphere present in the EPG, During Operation NEWSREEL aircraft were controlled over a much : greater range than during previous tests, This control situation was complicated by the complete loss of all sky wave radio propagation which occurred simultaneously with detonation of the high altitude devices, A more complete discussion of all Task Group 7.4 commmications is presented in the following paragraphs. The responsibility for providing and operating all ARTO communications and air navigational aids for Task Group 7.4 was delegated to the AACS Communications Element. ARTC traffic for flights outside the test area was transmitted to Kwajalein Center using one (1) voice circuit on the high frequency single side band system. Early difficulties in maintain- ing contact on this circuit made it necessary to establish a back-up radio circuit from Eniwetok Approach Control to Kwajalein Center. Air route traffic for weather islands, such as flight plans for resupply aircraft was transmitted through the Weather Island "Weather and Rad-Safe" | net. 128 yy ‘° AFWL/HG | g A on