factor to the accomplishment of the above is to ensure that each project
which contemplates an off-atoll station completes its major support planning
at least six mgpths prior to the operational phase.
3.8
EVACUATION, RECOVERY,
ae-ENTRY PLANNING,
The results of the ize
Eran
Castle, and the locations and pre-
dicted yields of the proposed Bikini Redwing detonations made it clear that
it would probably be necessary to evacuate that atoll for each Bikini shot,
and that the capability of continuous operations from afloat would be necessary once the shot schedule began. Preliminary planning studies were there-
fore based on complete evacuation of Bikini.
J-3 was responsible for preparing detailed evacuation and re-entry
plans for each shot and for supervising the execution of those plans; for
supporting the evacuation,.the recovery of data, and the re-entry of personnel and material; and, in coordination with J-‘1, for planning and execut-
ing emergency evacuation of personnel,
.
f
4
A comprehensive study of the instrumentation requirements was made{
in order to evaluate helicopter and small boat needs for operations afloat. -j
Careful analysis of monthly status reports provided a general guide for
evacuation, recovery, and re-entry planning. Detailed evacuation and reentry-recovery plans were issued for each shot. These plans were a consolidation of event participation cards prepared to cover items of opera-
tional’ interest during the period covered by the check list. To ensure the
validity of completed plans based on status report and other requirements,
consultations were held with interested supporting agencies prior to the effective dates of the plans. This was particularly valuable in the case of
helicopter and boat support and prevented unrealistic planning.
Because of the extensive instrumentation on the first two Bikini detonations and the complexity of the evacuation and re-entry problems, a chronological check list covering the period from D—5 to D+3 was used for
each of those shots. Thereafter, the check lists covered the period from
D-—-3 to D-Day. The evacuation planning check lists were, from the first,
considered flexible guides; rigid adherence to predicted schedules was neither
envisaged nor attempted.
Plans included consolidation of vehicular equipment in a central area
for each Bikini shot. ForGEERwhich caused particular concern because
of predicted water wave effects),
all vehicles
plus all heavy construction equipment were parked in a special area protected by a 10 ft high, rip-rapped berm in the south-central part of Enyu.
Since the times of recovery and re-entry were critical, evacuation plans for
~ 97 -
AeA fur
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WH