he would keep this command advised of the results of his meeting. During this meeting he will also discuss the scheduling of inter-island and interatoll aircraft and helicopter flights. f. Schedule of Events. Colonel Lucke was asked if the schedule of Events distributed by this headquarters last December was in con- sonance with his planning requirements, He replied that it was and that he would like to be kept fully informed of progress and of any changes which we micht make to the schedule, 3, At 1330, on 8 January, Colonel lucke, Colonel Gattis, CDR Ellison and CDR Gustafson met with members of TG 7,3 at TG 7.3 headquarters to discuss ship requirements, ship néddifications and operational items of Navy interest, The following specific topics were discussed. a. Uge of Taongi, CDR Brown pointed out that it would require a major effort to clear a suitable channel into Taongi Lagoon. Currents through the present passage are as high as 10 knots which would prohibit the work of an underwater demolition team except for brief periods during slack water each day, At best the operation would be a hazardous one, An ATR or ATF would be required to support the UDT team. It was also pointed out that, due to their limited nower, an LCU or LST could enter the lagoon through the channel only during certain periods of the day. CDR Sterrett stated that a LOU under current BUSHIPS regulations is prohibited from operating in the open sea and that even if an exception to this regulation were obtained, the LSD could disnatch the LOU in the open sea only under the most favorable conditions. CDR Ellison and CDR Kelly emphasized that, due to the numerous coral heads existing in the Ingoons, seaplanes could be landed only by taking a calculated risk of the coral heads had been removed and adequate seaplane landing areas marked with buoys. Captain Utter pointed out that an additional boat nool would probably be required and if so, that it would be desirable to obtain an additional LSD to support the boat pool, as well as to move the shot barges to Taongi, A general discussion concerning possible operations eat Taongi followed, b. Support Ships. CDR Gustafson stated that the Navy plans to nothbali the USS CURTISS, and that this vessel will not be available for HARDTACK, TG 7,1 representatives were also informed that the BADCENG STRAIT is now being inactivated and that no CVE type vessel will te in commission by the summer of 1958, A generai discussion then followed concerning what type of vessel would be suitable to replace the CURTISS and BADCENG STRAIT, A CYHA was mentioned but eliminated as a result of the limited sea keeping abilities of this tyre vessel. Capt. Utter nentioned that the USS PINE ISLAND might be suitable, After all aspects had teen considered, however, it was determined that a CVS would provide the nost suitable replacement and could be used to rerlace both the AV and CVE, AFWL/ HQ L fie | ¥ 3