Lb
CHAPTER Ill, SECTION 7
SECTION 7
LAND AND AIR TRANSPORTATION
AIR.
Air transportation of cargo and personnel
was performed by C-54’s for flights between
Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls and to other atolls
in the Trust Territory where landing runways
were available. SA-16’s were used for special
and routine scheduled flights to atolls in the
Trust Territory where runways were not available.
The intra-atoll passenger and cargo airlift
for Eniwetok Atoll utilized L-20 type aircraft
for service at Sites Fred, Elmer, Yvonne, Tilda,
and Janet where runways existed. H-19 and
H-21 type helicopters were used for all sites
including helicopter barges which were placed
adjacent to certain of the shot barges.
Air Dispatch Facilities were activated at
Janet and Yvonne on 8 October 1957 and 16
December 1957 respectively. These sites were
rolled up prior to test events CACTUS and
KOA, and all future air dispatching was con-
trolled by the Air Dispatch Office at Site Elmer.
Due to the intermittent use of the Tilda airstrip, no Air Dispatch Facility was activated
at thatsite.
The Air Dispatch Facility at Site Nan
was activated on 1 June 1957, followed by in-
stallations at Oboe, How, and George, as re-
quired. Aircraft utilized at Bikini Atoll for intraatoll airlift were L-20’s and H-19’s. L-20’s shut-
tled between Nan and Oboe, where the only
airstrips existed. H-19’s were utilized for traffic
to all other points, including sandspits, shot
barges, and marine craft equipped for them,
including the aircraft carrier USS BOXER.
The H-19 type helicopter proved to be the
most versitile and adaptable aircraft for Jobsite
needs. Its maneuverability and ability to land
on any sand-spit, bunker top, and surface vessel
satisfied all requirements for photography, res-
cue, nose cone recovery, post shot damage surveys, and Rad-safety survey missions. During
the operational period of HARDTACK, User
personnel were the principal users of the airlift,
(Neg. No. W-869-7)
Figure No. 3-19.
Helicopters Used at
Bikini Atoll.
The principal function of the E-3 Section
of TG 7.5 in regard to off-atoll operations was
the administration of TG 7.5 interests in scheduling air transportation. This function was accom-
plished through various conferences with Head-
quarters, JTF-7 and TG 7.4. One of the basic
problems encountered in establishing a smooth
and efficient schedule was the limitations estab-
lished on the amount of cargo and number of
passenger allowable on the SA-16 typeaircraft.
The following schedule, once established, remained in effect throughout the balance of the operational period:
DAY
ATOLL
*Monday
Wotho
*Tuesday
Kapingamarangi
Tuesday
Nauru
*Wednesday
Utirik
*Thursday
Kusaie
*Friday
Rongelap
Friday
Tarawa
and the air dispatch facility became the operational responsibility of E-3, TG 7.5.
*Saturday
In June 1958 a control tower was erected
on Elmer and put in operation by the Air Force
which provided a more efficient and effective
control of the heavy traffic using this facility.
At times there were as many as 236 landings
and take-offs in a single day.
*Flights requiring SA-16 type aircraft.
Daily
Ujelang
Bikini (Numberof
flights based on
load requirements.
Flights to Johnston Island were initiated in
April 1958.
Page 389