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difficulty in securing diplonatic clearance for entry to Nauru, rehabili-
tation of the airstrip had been considerable delayed. This problem, hovever, was eliminated by early April 1958 after the necessary clearance was
obtained, and the airstrip was rehabilitated to accept C-54 aircraft.
At the end of the plaming phase, the entire airlift effort was con
sidered to be in adequate condition to provide required satisfactory service for HARDTACK,
Aerial Photography.
The requirement for teclmical photography of
nudlear fireballs for the HARDTACK series became Imown in July 1957.
To
meet this requirement of photography for two underwater shots, aircraft
of Task Group 7.4 were to be provided.
Unt‘!l late August 1957, B-57D ain
craft were under consideration for the tasks hovever, in October the firm
decision was reached that three C-54 and two RB-50 aircraft would be avail-
able, the latter from either the Pacific Air Force or, most likely, the
Air Photographic and Charting Service,
Ultimtely, all these photographic
aircraft were provided fran the resources of the Air Photographic and
Charting Service.
On 13 March two of the C-54's arrived at Eniwetok; on
28 March one C-54 and one RB~50 arrived; and, on 13 April the remaining
RB-50 arrived.
‘Until late in 1957 no requirement for photography of a documentary
nature “had been declared by Joint Task Force SEVEN, although Task Group
7.4 learned in Cetober 1957 that Armed Forces Specdal weapons Project had
—
”