the organizational framework of the scientific task group.
The
belief in SFOO had grown to be that this status did not exemplify
the actual relationships and responsibilities which had come to
exist.
The matter of the SFOO position in the CASTLETask Force organization was brought under discussion during the period between
MIKE and KING shots of IVY when a second CASTLE planning conference was held on Parry Island.
Participating in the conference
were Brigadier General Fields (AEC), CJTF 132, and other senior
members of the Task Force.
General Fields, offering the AEC view,
introduced the subject and General Clarkson indicated that he had
no objection to the establishment of a fifth task group to be composed principally of personnel from the Iniwetok Field Office of
SFOO if it were determined by AEC that such an organizational scheme
was desirable.
Certain stipulations were enumerated at the same
time, however.
No military personnel were to be assigned to the
new task group; AEC would continue to be responsible for financial
support of the task group and no Task Force military funds would
be available; and the Task Force Commander, in the accomplishment
of his scientific mission during the on-site phase, would control
and direct the Base Facilities Task Group (as it came to be known)
along with the Scientific Task Group through his Scientific Deputy.
This same position of the CJTF was reiterated in February,
1953, when he stated in a formal letter to DMA, AEC, that, though |
he was not seeking such an organizational change, he offered no
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