Very shortly after this Pentagon meeting, the C/S, USA, as
Executive Agent for IVY, placed before the JCS the matters of determining the Executive Agent and of designating a Task Force Com-

mander for CASTLE,

At the same time he pointed out that CJTF 132

was desirous of having his successor nominated as soon as possible
in order that he could participate in IVY and in the planning of
IVY roll-up-—-thus avoiding a situation where the new commander
would be pre-committed to a course of action over which he had had

no voice,
JCS policy for overseas atomic tests called for the rotation
of the executorship and command of atomic task forces between the

three Services.

Under this policy, CASTLE would normally have be-

come a Navy responsibility; however, because of the existing plans

for an underwater operation, it was felt that the Chief of Naval
Operations (CNO) might well prefer the executorship of that oper-

ation to CASTLE.

For this reason and because of the closeness be-

tween the two operational dates, a JCS decision was soon reached

to extend the JIF 132 mission to include CASTLE and retain General
Clarkson as the Task Force Commander,
Following the JCS decision General Clarkson briefed the Chairman, AEC, and certain AEC staff members on these preliminary plans
and decisions relative to CASTLE.

In short, the JCS had approved

recommendations which would;

1.

continue the C/S, USA, as Executive Agent,

2.

continue General Clarkson as Task Force Commander,

Select target paragraph3