With the temporary movement of the AF helicopters to Bikini, support
to the Teiteiripucchi complex was accomplished by landing L-20 aircraft at
Engebi and using surface transportation to Teiteiripucchi.
The decision was
made at this time to complete construction of the Teiteiripucchi airstrip
which eliminated the need for using Engebi and surface transportation.
For periods of three to four days after some of the shots, certain of
the airstrips were out of commission for L-20 traffic owing to radiation,
H-19’s were used to move priority personnel to those complexes, supple-
mented by water
sion.
After
Preparatio
taxis for low priority traffic.
supported entirely by H-19s and surface
L-20 aircraft were used to support
"
.
completely out of commis(Osage) at Runit was
tion.
Seminole) preparation as
soon as radiation levels permitted use of the Teiteiripucchi strip; however,
H-19's primarily supported Seminole preparatory work.
During a representative week of the build-up phase (April 1-7), the
interisland airline had the following traffic load:
H-19B
844 flights
Bikini
1900 passengers (382 - TG 7.1)
Eniwetok
R-19B
L-20
47 Dights
223 flights
.
84 passengers (62 - TG 7.1)
717 passengers (548 - TG 7.1)
During a representative week of the operational phase (May 6-12), the
itterisland airline had the following traffic load:
ERS-3 (H-19B)
~
Le
ift for
for i
cA
ae"
lee
589 flights
Bikini
1563 passengers (1250 - TG 7.1)
-Eniwetok _
91 flights
279 flights
313 passengers (191 - TG 7.1)
742 passengers (400 - TG 7.1)
The L-20 liaison-type aircraft was the answer to many of the demands
Fapid transportation of personnel and its performance and "in operation"
sould 9
Lay, Wer? very high. The HRS-1's (H-19A), with which the HMR-363 was
cif #5
erty parts for an operation of this sort.
eres
. equipped, did not prove adequate in performance or in the availability of
Such was not true of the
8 with which the Marine Squadron at Bikini was later equipped (after
BEST AVAILABLE CO- PY
1 -