PART |, CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 6 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS JOHNSTON ISLAND 6.1 DMA,in a letter to LASL cn 22 March 1958, first questioned the propriety of detonating two atomic devices over EPG for the ABMAprogram (sponsored by DOD). Innumerable conferences and voluminous correspondence amongall elements of the HARDTACK organization preceded the decision in early April 1958 to abandon the Site How ABMAlaunchingsite (substantially completed on 6 April 1958) and to relocate the facilities on Johnston Island. 6.2 Following the official notification on 10 April 1958 that facilities would be moved from Site How to Johnston Island, numerous conferences were held amongall participants in the ABMA program to determine the scope of activity. Since the Users were at EPG, H&N performed all engineering design at Site Elmer. It was determined that engineering design could be most efficiently expedited at EPG using engineering personnel who were cognizant of ABMA program problems experienced at the Site How installation. 6.3 An inspection of the utilities at John- ston Island disclosed that most of them were in need of repair; hence, extensive main- tenance was performed prior to housing the full complement of personnel required for the two events scheduled there. Operation of all major facilities at Johnston Island was assumed by HENprior to 13 May 1958. 6.4 The logistics problem was one of the major difficulties encountered during the construction build-up. The channel had to be cleared of coral heads to permit entry by LST’s; a coastal tug was secured from the Navy and operated by an H&N crew, and a beaching ramp was constructed for LST’s. In order to maintain the anticipated construction schedule, it was necessary to transship all existing equipment Page 26 and materials from Site How to Johnston Island. Procurement of additional scientific equipment and materials from Honolulu and the Mainland was also necessary, with shipments being made in most instances by Mats and commercial, air freight to Honolulu for transshipment to u Johnston Island. During the construction period, a total of 35,194 measurement tons (5580 long tons) were received at Johnston Island by surface craft and 2,193,955 pounds byair. 6.5 A 60-hour extended work-week was required during the construction phase to maintain the accelerated construction schedule. Scientific Station construction was initiated on 2 May 1958, and work continued at an accelerated pace until the completion of all Scientific ‘Stations on 7 July 1958. Arrangements were made with the Navy to secure from Hawaii various items of heavy equipment required for the Johnston Island phase of Operation HARDTACK to avoid interference with progress at Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls. 6.6 The TEAKevent,originally scheduled for firing from Site How on 23 April 1958, was detonated over Johnston Island on 31 July 1958. The ORANGEevent,originally scheduled for firing from Site How on 7 May, was detonated over Johnston [sland on 11 August. ‘ REPATRIATION OF RONGELAP NATIVES 6.7. Between Operations REDWING and HARDTACK,250 Rongelap natives were transported from their temporary home at Eyjit Island, Majuro Atoll, and returned to newly constructed homes on Rongelap Atoll. Details of the repatriation were published by H&N for the AEC in a report entitled “Report of Repatriation of the Rongelap People,” dated November 1957, and distributed to all offices concerned. Ste POP R ROR m mmm m mmm nn nnnns nemtlln agianDhaene +