shortages existing. Perhaps the greatest difficulty experienced by Task Group 7.2 was that involved in the mission of the Port Detachment. Non-availability of personnel and lack of training meant that men assigned other regular tasks had to be taken from these duties to aid the Port Detachment in the unloading of incoming vessels. This, of course, had a continuing and disrupt- ing effect upon the fulfillment of other task group missions, The communications system had been established in Operation IVY and thus the period from November, 1952, to September, 1953, was one of rehabilitation and maintenance. Some new equipment was installed so as to meet expanded requirements but for the most part, Task Group 7.2 continued the IVY communications mission which, while ever problematic and difficult, was well within the capabilities of the Task Group. It may appear to the reader that the Army Task Group was not confronted with many difficult problems during the interim period. This is not supported in fact, however, From the time of Typhoon HESTER, the garrison personnel of the Arny Task Group—-including those Navy and Air Force men who were attached to the Task Group—~ worked on the principle that any assigned mission was within their Capability. Without this spirit and attitude, the accomplishment of the overall Task Force mission, as well as the individual missions of the other four task groups might have been well nigh imPossible. By bearing the brunt of Typhoon HESTER and the chain of aftereffects set in being by it and through the many long and 69