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 19