aT Swe 150 RADIOLOGICAL CLEAINUD OF EINE WELAK ALOLL Mobilization of military forces and material for the radiological cleanup | of Enewetak Atoll began on [5 March 1977 with the requisitioning of personnel and supplies identified in the draft operations pian (Field Command’s OPLAN 600-77), which had been developed in the preceding 2 weeks at the second Enewetak Planning Conference. However, U.S. Army Support Command, Hawaii (USASCH) did not receive supply requisitioning authority until 28 March 1977. The logisticians had concurred in establishing D-Day as 15 June 1977 only if they could begin requisitioning materiel immediately, in order to provide a minimum of 90 days’ order and delivery time. To make matters worse, in the closing minutes of the second planning conference, the start of Lojwa Camp site preparation was advanced from D-Day to D minus 28 days. This left less than 9 weeks to mobilize men and materiel for that work. First priority in ordering materiel went to building supplies for camp construction andto life support equipment to be installed in the camps. To minimize lead time, most of the items were to be ordered by H&N from commercial sources rather than through DOD supply channels. H&NPTD established a logistics center at its offices on Hickam AFB, Hawaii. veer a ER for the engineers, supply, and procurement personnel who were involved in designingfacilities and ordering construction material. These personnel came from USASCH, from PTD’s staff, and from H&N headquarters.It was found that so much time had elapsed since the Army bills of material for base camps were drawn up that they were outdated. Considerable research and interpretation were required before they could be used for = 4 woe | requisitioning supplies. Meanwhile, on 31 March 1977, 2 weeks into the mobilization effort, Field Command changed its office of primary responsibility for Enewetak matters from the Director of Logistics to the Director of Plans and Operations.32 With this shift, the Enewetak Planning Group, which had been established under the chairmanship of the Director of Logistics to provide staff management continuity and coordination for the project, ceased to meet. LAICOMMUNIC TIONS ARRIVE: 16 MARCH 1977 ee isd MOBILIZATION BEGINS: 15 MARCH 1977 H&N-PTD movedin twooffice trailers to provide additional office space | UUM To coordinate mobilization efforts, reliable radio communications were urgently neededat the atoll. The Air Force responded promptly and, on 16 March 1977, an installation team with replacement equipment arrived on a C-5 aircraft, the first of these giants to land at the atoll (Figure 3-4). The acer “tp2aa eenpne nnn FIGURE 3-4, USAF C-5 ON ENEWETAK. Defense Communications Service terminal was relocated and rehabilitated to provide three voice circuits and one automated data circuit using 10kilowatt, high-frequency transmitters. The Air Force communications team began operating the new system on 16 Mav 1977.33 HONOLULU SUPPORT: MARCH 1977 The nearest sources for most logistics support were in the Honolulu area, Logistics action officials of the agencies in Hawaii made an all-out effort to locate materiel required to begin base camp construction and operation, such as building materials, billeting, office, and shop equipment. They investigated every possible local source, including the Defense Property Disposal Region (Pacific), to assure maximumuse of available resources at minimumadditional cost. The success of the initial preparatory phase was due in large part to the personal efforts and cooperation of Honolulu-area action officiats. To coordinate mobilization actions at Enewetak Atoll, the first members of the Joint Task Group (JTG) Commander’s staff deployed to the atoll on 5 April 1977. They were the JTG Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John R. Sitten. Jr... USA, who became the interim Atoll Commander, and