f° result of ar fly weather reconnaissance missions in#the Johnston Island areain support of Operation NEWSREEL, it was 7 decided that the Weather Reconnaissance Element (Provisional) periodic maintenance capability would move to Hickam AFB, TH. Phans, which were formulated in June 1958, provided that weather reconnaissance missions would be launched at Hickam AFB and vice-versa. from Eniwetcok and terminated Missions were so scheduled that an air- craft due for a periodic inspection would land at Hickam AFB and go into the periodic maintenance facility for necessary inspection and maintenance. The home base of the Weather Reconnaissance Element (Provisional) was Hickam AFB where permanent type facilities, i.e. hangars, work space, etc, were available. Two (2) officers, 139 airmen and equipment were moved from Eniwetok to Hickam AFB during July 1958 to establish the periodic maintenance facility. Periodic inspection of the first WB-50 aircraft commenced on 16 July 1958. Section D + Special Purpose Vehicle and Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Maintenance The total units of Special Purpose Vehicles and Aircraft Ground Support Equipment maintained was three hundred and forty-two (342). These units were maintained in e common pool to facilitate operational control and maintenance. Salt water corrosion was unvoidable and required the expenditure of considerable mintenance man hours to minimize the effects. Some equipment failure is attributable to corrosion. Another continuing problem was the lead time required to procure replacement parts and spares from local purchase sources. Many local purchase items were obtainable froma single source and in some cases 181 AFWLU/HO @