148
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
149
Mobilization
the duration of the project. Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) William L.
Spicuzza, USA, was assigned as Commander, Enewetak Atoll by Field
Command, effective | April 1976, to manage base operations and to
exercise operational control over H&N-PTDactivities at the atoll. During
the following year, over $600,000 worth of rehabilitation work was
accomplished by H&N-PTD including: repair of dormitories, shops, and
warehouses; repair of petroleum storage and dispensingfacilities; repair of
being phased down to a lesser state of readiness due to President Ford’s
deletion of the ‘‘prompt’’ requirement from the mission of Johnston Atoll
SCR wn leaserie
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the cargo pier; and activation of maintenance and supplyfacilities.24
While Enewetak Atoll was being reactivated in 1976, Johnston Atoll was
to maintain ‘‘readiness for resumption of atmospheric nuclear testing.’ A
bargeload of supplies and equipment which had become excess to
Johnston Atoll’s reduced requirements was delivered to Enewetak in April
1976. In addition to much needed building materials, it included an
aluminum-hulled landing craft to augment Enewetak’s rusting fleet.25
‘Tiger teams’” of H&N employees from Johnston Atoll were used to
augment the Enewetak Atoll work force for Enewetak Camp rehabilitation
projects.
The Air Force acknowledged its responsibility for programming and
managing Enewetak Atoll communicationsfacilities in February 1976. On
IS June 1976, seven Air Force enlisted personnel from the 1[96lst
Communications Group, Clark AFB, Philippine Islands, arrived at
Fee ee
Enewetak and spent the next 6 weeks rehabilitating the antenna system.2®
This was followed by an Air Force Communications Service survey of
communications requirements and resources in September 1976.
Another reactivation project was establishment of the Enewetak Camp
exchange by the Hawaiian Regional Exchange. This organization
conducted a survey in October 1976 to determine requirements and
resources for establishing outlets at the Enewetak and Lojwa Camps. The
Enewetak exchange began operating on 8 February [977 and wasofficially
opened by the Commander, Field Command, DNA, Brigadier General
Thomas E. Lacy, USAF, and the Regional Exchange Commander,
Colonel Robert M. Sullivan, Jr., USAF, on | March 1977, during the
second Enewetak Planning Conference (Figure 3-3).
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES: 1977
BG Lacy promised the Services that Enewetak Camp would bereadyto
support their mobilization forces by the planned D-Day, 15 June 1977. This
required an accelerated construction effort by H&N-PTD. H&N also had
been tasked to assist in design and construction of the Lojwa Camp.
FIGURE 3-3. ENEWETAK EXCHANGE.
Engineers and draftsmen were sent from their corporate headquarters to
assist in these efforts.
Normally, the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities
Engineering Commandis the design and construction agent for projects
funded by the Military Construction Appropriation. Authorization was
obtained for the Director, DNA to be the design and construction agent
for the Enewetak Cleanup Project.2? The Commander, Field Command
was authorized to act for the Director, DNA in obtaining H&N-PFD’s
services for design and construction of the Enewetak Atoll facilities. 28.29
H&N-PTD again brought employees from Johnston Atoll to augment its
Enewetak work force to complete rehabilitation of the Enewetak Camp.
The work involved over 70 facilities including the dining hall, billets,
laundry, power and water plants, recreation, supply, and maintenance
buildings.39 The total cost was almost $2,000,000 and was financed by a
combination of Military Construction (MILCON) funds and Army and
DNA O&M funds.3! H&N had the essential elements of the Enewetak
Di
Camp ready by Spe Oe a
the Army Element: (I) construction ofbillet spaces for the helicopter crew
in one wing of the hangar; and (2) partitioning a portion of Building 24 for
Army Element headquarters offices.