80
4
t
resporsibili¢€y for all Joint Task Force SEVEN air and surface mits in
the Control Area during HARDTACK,
An important portion of tha dooument defined the Lindts of the Eni~wetok Air Control Area: the ares of two circles of 100 nautical mile radii
drawn from Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls and joined by straight line tangents
(as shown in the current Radio Facilities Chart).
Joint Task Force SEVEN
units, however, "will particimte as may be appropriate in SAR operations
outside of this area."
By the beginning of the operational phase of HARDIACK, the plans for
search and rescue were firm and no outstanding problems were encounteréd.
Flicht Safety.
As during Operation REDWING, many factora were pre-
sent for HARDTACK in the proving ground to make flight safety a momentous
and persistent problem.
The limited size of the sirfield at Fnivetok,
for example, was an especially important aspect of flight safety for it
would expose HARDTACK aircraft to many operational hazards that could not
be elirinated.
Many structures required for flying activities vere of
necessity sited in violation of established Air Force airfield clearance
regulations.
This was true of the lecation of the Control Tower, the
Ground Controlled Appreach unit, communications antenna poles, the hangar,
parkingaprons, and many miscellaneous structures.
Furthermore, the pros—
pect of a high concentration of aircraft in critical positions on mission
days was to require precise indoctrination and close coordination between
AFWL/ HQ