CHAPTER II, SECTION 6 SECTION 6 COMMUNICATIONS GENERAL. Prior to Operation HARDTACK, communications facilities, with the exception of certain DOD systems, were handled by H&N and other Contractors; a considerable portion of the equipment wasleased for each Operation. Severe coordination and orientation problems existed under this arrangement. To achieve increased efficiency and improved operational results at reduced cost, AEC adopted a policy of establishing permanent communications facilities and assigning the responsibility for all aspects of the systems to a single Contractor. HEN was designated as Contractor to assume responsibility for all aspects of the TG 7.5 Communications System covering the following: 1. Qa nk w 2. Evaluation of AEC directives and User requirements in terms of facilities and systems. Engineering design and preparation of specifications and plans. Equipment procurement. the Contractor, using equipment furnished by the military services. Radio interference detection was a new responsibility during this Operation. Teams were maintained at Eniwetok, Bikini, and Johnston Island. Recreation facilities, such as the tele- vision station, the motion picture theaters, and the TG 7.5 amateur radio stations, were oper- ated and maintained by the Contractor. Com- munications circuits to Honolulu and Kwajalein were maintained by the Military, but traffic over these circuits was controlled by the Contractor’s telephone operators. All TG 7.1 and TG 7.5 teletype traffic within EPG, or between the EPG and Honolulu and Continental U.S., was sent and received by the Contractor-operated Communication Centers. Technical assis- tance in the repair and fabrication of electronic devices and communications equipment was furnished the Scientific and Military groups. A Communications Engineering Project Group was formed in the Los Angeles Engineering Office and staffed with engineering specialists Operation of the systems. in both radio and telephone. This group was responsible for general project coordination and engineering direction. Among the many functions Technical assistance to Scientific and Military groups, as required. ration and issuance of detailed plans and speci- Installation and maintenance. New major facilities, together with a general expansion of existing wire and radio instal- lations within EPG, materially increased the Contractor’s communications responsibilities for performed were (a) liaison with AEC Communications Representatives and Users; (b) prepa- fications for components and systems; (c) provision of technical guidance and recommenda- . tions to procurement groups; (d) preparation of test procedures for field installation; and (e) field surveys and tests. Operation HARDTACK.Theinter-atoll Tropospheric Scatter System, three automatic dial telephone exchanges, and the scientific VHF FM networks were commissioned for this Operation. ‘cruiting effort was made to secure skilled per- cations services for land areas within the Prov- radio and telephone electricians and telephone and teletype operators. Staffing was scheduled on the basis of equipment and circuit operational operated communications plants on Sites Fred of 122 personnel on 5 April 1958, during the the USS BOXER, the USS AINSWORTH, and with the operational phase approximately 75% complete, the Division staff had been reduced to 99 men. The Division was divided into two The scope of the Contractor’s responsibilities included the engineering, installation, and operation of all radio and telephone communiing Ground, with the exception of the military- and David. The Contractor was also responsible for the ship-to-shore UHF facilities integrating the various smaller naval vessels into the general EPG telephone system. The inter-atoll Tropo- spheric Scatter System connected the telephone systems at each atoll. The DODscientific nets, the TG 7.5 boat pool nets, the TG 7.5 air dispatch nets, and the Contractor’s guard depart- ment net were all installed and maintained by A Communications Division was created at Jobsite on 2 September 1957. An intensive re- sonnel to augment the interim period cadre of deadlines, with Division strength at its peak closing phase of the build-up period. On 5 July, Departments: Installation-Maintenance and Operations. The Installation-Maintenance Department included radio stations, radio shops, and telephone shops at Elmer and Nan; in addition, a teletype shop and a dial exchange maintenance section were located at Elmer. The Operations Page 305