a.
LSD's.
Mr. Sande
8
there would be a need for
one LSD during June of 1957 to move equipment from Iniwetok to Bikini.
It is estimated that this ship can be released after completion of approxi-
mately 4 round trips.
It wae hie opinion that the first full-time LSD
would be needed in October, and that another would be reouired in February
of 1958.
Admiral Wellings (CTG 7.3) stated that he had just
returned from
CINCPAC Headovarters and noted that the supplying of 2 LSD's for the entire
operation would place a considerable strain on CINCPACFLT.
CDR Ellison
voiced an opinion that one of the LSD's could probably be released after
completion of the underwater shots.
Dr. Felt stated that the LSD to be
used for tranaport of shot barges should be made available for this purpose
about mid-April 1958 itn order to have the first barge shot ready on 1] May.
b.
HELICOPTERS:
Mr. Howell stated that there would be a need
for at least one helicopter at Bikini commencing in August 1957.
Col
Massey said he thought it would be possible for the 4950th Test Group to
provide this support and Col Wignall agreed. After review of the procedure followed in providing Marine helicopters at Bikini prior to Opera~
tion REDWING, it was decided that approximately half of the helicopter
souadron should be deployed to arrive at Bikini on 15 February 1958 and
that the remainder should arrive aboard the carrier by 15 March 1958.
It
would be planned that the first half of the souadron would be able to
maintain sustained operations ashore for thirty days pending arrival of
the carrier.
c.
AV.
Colonel Incke stated that it was desired to have the
AV (or equivalent ship) in the Bikini area three or four weeks prior to
shot time. Dr. Felt emphasized that a considerable amount of work would
he recuired in connection with the AV, such as installing radios, checking
out communtcation circuits,
rehearsals, etc.
One major consideration ie
that repeated dry runs of the firing circuit will be recuired.
dad. I-2¢'s. Dr. Felt stated that it was the desire of TG 7.1
to use the L-20 extensively at Bikini during Operation HARDTACK in view
of the fact that a large part of the construction is expected to take
place in the TARE complex.
It wae noted that the 1-20 ia better suited
for suprort of thie complex than the helicopter.
Task Group 7.1 may
recuire I-20's at Bikini as early as 1 March 1958.
Dr. Felt added that
he thought Holmes and Narver would also desire the I-20's at Bikini at
as early date.
1},
TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS:
Major Johnston (JTF-7) reviewed
in brief the transportation reouirements of the task force and outlined
the methods-by which it is expected these recuiremente will be fulfilled.
12.
COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Colonel Vest (JTF-7) presented a
brief outline of the communication facilities to be provided during
Cperztion HARDTACK and outlined the progress of procurement to cate.
He also
ctated
that a three day communication conference to finalize
recuirements would te held in this headquarters on 5,6 and 7 March 1957.
9
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