piiibditiebbidimee,-

(7

lO March 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT:

Protection of Transient Shipping During Operation CASTIE

1. In order to provide protection for transient shipping ia the
regica imediately catside the Eniwetok/Bikini Danger Adres during
Operation CaSTLE

factars were established and a plan of

action placed in effect as follows:
Planning factors:

(1)

CASTLE clonds mare than 24 hours old sbould not be

hasardous.

(2)

MG

mately 500 nantical miles.

Plan:

(1)

The Comasnder in Chief, Pacifie Fleet was requested
to make advance diversions of shipping outside a
sectar area from southwest clockwise through sorth
to east to 500 nantical miles from ground sere froa
H to H pins 24 hours.

(2)

P2V aircraft were planned to sweep the significant
forecast sector of aloud travel, using visual and
search redar methods of sightings cat to 800 nantical miles on D-2 days, cat to 600 nautical ailes

~

dv.

24 hour travel of a CASTLE cloud should be apprexi-

on De] day and, if necessary, in front of the cloud

on D day. P2V aircraft crews were directed to ef>
fect diversion on all ships sighted in the sector
area on Dei ami D day.

(3)

WB-29 aircraft on rcutine weather reconnaissance

missions ware directed to report all sightings of
surface shipping encountered. Ald sightings were

to be relayed to the Radar center (CIC USS BAT=0zD)

“7

in the TG 7.3 fleet.

(4)

P2¥ aircraft and destroyer security sweeps vere directed for the Eniwetok/Bikini Danger area. Infar~
mation froz these sveeps was channeled to the Hadar
center (CIC USS BAIROKD).

mart

Select target paragraph3