b. Use of Taongi. Colonel Lucke stated that his division was very anxious that an immediate resolution be arrived at relative to the possible use of Taongi as an additional firing site in the Eniwetok Proving Ground, He stated that many operational problems would have to be solved if such use is approved, and that the time element for the development of this site was growing short, Colonel Massey replied that it was his understanding that it is the rosition of this command that the possible use of Taongi requires a policy decision which mst be made by the Atawic Energy Commission and the State Departement, and that this headquarters would take no action which could be interpreted as attempting to establish such policy. Consequently, this headquarters will not pro- vide appropriated funds for the survey or development of Taongi unless so directed by proper authority, It was emphasized that the resolution of this problem was an AEC matter which the scientific laboratories should take up with that agency rather than with this command, ce. Sampler Aircraft Requirements. Colonel Massey stated that this headquarters was in receipt of a letter originated by the UCRL and transmitted by Dr. Felt stating that several nore B-57B's and a few B-57D's will be requested for sampling in HARDTACK, Colonel Massey also stated that Dr. Graves intends to pursue this requirement through Air Force channels, Dr, Graves feels that since the sampler requirement is a con- tinuing one, this line of attempted procurement is proper. It was strongly recommended that justification through AEC channels also be procured. It was pointed out that due to the high priority projects in which the B~57B's are now engaged, it is extremely doubtful that they will be required in order to procure their assignment on a permanent basis, Colonel Lucke was requested to keep this headquarters informed as to what progress the laboratories were making in procuring the subject aircraft. ad. Helicopter Landing Platforms. CTG 7,1, in the REDWING Final Report, recommended that consideration be given to installing helicopter landing platforms on all shot barges, This recommendation was discussed with Colonel Lucke and Colonel Gattis and for several reasons it was the consensus of opinion that such a proposal should not be adopted, In the first place it was considered that the cost, probably in excess of $10,000 per barge, would be prohibitive. In the second place it was generally agreed that the use of such platforms would be precarious at best with H-19 helicopters and that the likely substitution of H-21's in Operation HARDTACK would increase the jeopardy of such proposed operations. It was further noted that such installations, even if operationally feasible: would generate other operational problems such as loading the barges in the ISD, A related recommendation for fast boat service to and from the shot barges was discussed, It was generally agreed that nothing in the military inventory would m-et the,operational requirements, It was concluded that Task Group 7.1 should investigate the possibility of having TG 7.5 acquire an additional "African Queen™ type boat through AEC channels; otherwise, oper- ational sunport in HARDTACK would be essentially the same as it was in REDWING, e, Airstrips. Colonel Cattis stated that it might be desirable tc re- activate the old airstrip at Bikini (HOW Island) since considerable increase ‘ax fe.. “ge in the use of that island as an instrumentation site during HARDTACK is anticipated. He atated that he planned to visit TG 7.4 Headouarters in the near future to discuss airstrip requirements, and that when he did so that Ar Wi/ HQ 2 Lacs ¥ /2. L , 5 ain tl