to locate local interference—were made during the period January-~
March, 1953.
Upon CTG 73 request, a survey was then made of the
communication support which would be required of the AGC by CJTF
SEVEN, by the JIF SEVEN Weather Central, and by Task Groups 7.1
and 7.4 as well as any other elements of the Task Force to be em
barked.
The information thus gained was then passed on for action
to COMPHIBTRAPAC and the USS ESTES (AGC-12).
Equipment checks and
communications tests were effected during Task Group 7.4's Exercise
TIGERCAT off San Diego in October, 1953, with CJTF SEVEN, CTC 7.3,
and CIG 7.4 aboard.
The operation simulated a CASTLE shot and serv-
ed, among other objectives, to point out certain deficiencies,
These
difficulties were partially corrected and by 18 January 1954, the
ESTES was ready to proceed to the forward area.
(Additional infor-
mation on communication difficulties aboard the ESTES is contained
in Appendix C.)
The matter of physical security gave rise to certain problems
for Task Group 7.3.
Enlargement of the danger area to include two
atolls 180 miles apart meant an increase in the complexity of the
security problem.
In December, 1952, CINCPAC, having the security
responsibility for the PPG, requested CJTF 132's report on the secur=-
ity aspects of Operation IVY as well as recommendations for CASTLE.
CUTF 132, in turn, requested cpinions and recommendations from CTG
132.3.
The basic recommendation which resulted was that security
forces for CASTLE be of the same strength and composition as existed during IVY with an augmented underwater detection unit and certain
additional measures for the protection of Bikini Lagoon.
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