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