-
ee
As stated before, Redwing planning provided such a capability; and
when the CTG 7.1 operated from the firing bunker on Enyu, as he did on
all Bikini shots.except MNMMDhe stationed one of his deputies aboard the
USS Curtiss to ensure that operations could continue without interruption if
communications failed or if re-entry proved impractical.
*Communications by Motorola and AN/VRC-18 between ships and between
the Curtiss and the firing bunker were generally excellent when the ships
were at anchor, but deteriorated as the ships went to sea and became separated. Communications by the AN/TRC shipboard telephone equipment were
generally unsatisfactory.
After DEREth: Romurikku complex was untenable for permanent
occupation,
Therefore, operations ashore on that complex were supported
from four H&N LCU’s, which had been converted to houseboats for this purpose and assigned to Programs 13; 15 and 18. A YCV, used as a helicopter
barge, served both the houseboats and the shot barges off Yurochi. An LCU ;
houseboat supported the shot barge. Movement to and from the houseboats
_
to barge or complex was by helicopter or by LCM. Each houseboat had ant
assigned DUKW.
3.11.2
4
Eniwetok Recovery and Re-entry
Re-entry and data recovery problems at Eniwetok Atoll were simplified
by having a permanent base of operations on Parry. Support craft and personnel necessary for each recovery operation were alerted and briefed prior
to shot day. Following a radiological and damage survey conducted by CTG
7.1 and the Rad-Safe Officer, a recovery timetable was established. Factors
such as station location, nature of mission, and the urgency of obtaining the
data determined the departure times of the missions.
Due to a lack of helicopters for the first event
e recovery
was primarily by marine operation. Four DUKW’s were moved to Runit by ;
two LCU’s. The LCU’s served as a base of operations from which the
DUKW's were dispatched to stations located on the island and on the reef
north of Runit. Limited Rad-Safe supplies were also available aboard the
LCU’s. This method of recovery was found to be successful within the
limitations of the speed of the craft. The capability of shuttling samples
and personnel from LCU to Parry by LCM and by helicopter was maintained.
The helicopter shuttle was used to expedite sample return to meet
returning to the U. S.
Flyaways
Although this capability was not used a
proved very successful on subsequent shots.
Lp
Recovery on
and later shots was primarily by helicopter. However, recovery of reef stations was always done by a DUKW
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