No particular problems were encountered with interatoll surface lift.
3.7.8
Off-atoll Aebévities
The initial problem met in off-atoll activities was that of emplacing
project equipment and the equipment for the camp and communication facilities.
Task Group 7.1 stations on Rongerik Atoll and on Kusaie Island
shared the camp and communication facilities which supported the Task
Force weather stations. Those on Wotho Atoll and Ujelang Atoll required
their own facilities. The stations on Wake and Johnston Islands were supported by local forces.
In many cases project equipment was delivered late
to the PPG, which required a special trip for movement to the site. In
some cases agreement had not been reached between TG 7.1, TG 7.5, and
JTF 7 as to what camp and communication facilities were required and who
was to pay for them: These two factors delayed the scheduling of lifts to
establish the stations.
Holmes & Narver Supply Division, which controlled shipping, was
f
forced to divert its two LST’s at intervals and to arrange for repeated trips
of the LSD in order to cope with the problem of getting all equipmentinto
place. Some facilities were still in process of establishment when the oper~
ational period commenced.
*In the case of the stations on Wake and Johnston Islands, ‘the project
shipped all its equipment to Eniwetok and much of it had to be reshipped
back to the stations.
A direct shipment from Hawaii would haye saved con-
siderable time and shipping space.
The rotation of personnel and supply for the activities were accomplished using SA-16 aircraft. By mutual agreement those flights which in-
volved both H&N and TG 7.1 were arranged through the J-3 office. A
schedule of regular flights was established which was sufficient to handle
normal requirements. Special flights were called for when an emergency
arose. A representative week included five round tripflights carrying a
total of 22 passengers and 7987 lb of cargo.
*If there are to be off~atoll stations in future operations, especially at
places where no Task Force weather stations are contemplated, the plans
for them must be finalized early. An early determination of the agency to
be responsible for the camp and communications support is necessary.
Per-
mission to use the sites must be obtained from the Trust Territory organization and site surveys must be made as soon as requirements are known.
A shipping schedule which permits all participants to gather their equipment
in the PPG ready for movement to the off-atoll sites must be established
early.
This will permit the required shipping to be obtained.
The key
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