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the task, and the amount of special preparation for assignment to the
mission was of a minor nature.
The photographic airoraft, two (2) F-13 and two (2) C~54 aircraft
were furnished by Strategic Air Command from the 3llth Photographic Reconnaissance Wing stationed at NaoDill Field.
The two (2) F-13 aircraft were
specially modified so that they became, in effect, flying camera platforms
equipped to obtain complete photographic coverage of the phenomena as it
‘would appear from their stations.
A need for air transportation facilities within the limits of
Eniwetok Atoll was established at an early date.
Two (2) liaison type
aircraft (L-4) had been brought to the test area by the 532d Engineer
Boat and Shore Regiment as a part of ite organizational equipment.
Brigadier General Qj, Commander, Task Group 7.2, was responsible for
all construction in the test area, and wnen queried in January by Head~
quarters, Joint Task Force SEVEN regarding the utility of the L-4 aircraft,
“replied that he believed that this type of transportation should be sharply
augmented in the Eniwetok area.
His belief was based on the fact that an
adequate amount of air transportation between the islands of the atoll would
result in a great saving of time for scientific and construction personnel.
For example, travel between Eniwetok Island and Engebi Island in surface
craft consumed two and one-half (2%) hours, while the trip could be made
in light aircraft in twenty (20) minutes.
Consequently, five (5) of the
liaison type aircraft (L-4 and L-5) were immediately prooured from sources
in Hawaii and shipped by water to Eniwetok.
At the same time, arrange-
ments were made to place six (6) L-5 airoraft aboard the USS BAIROXO
(CVE-115) prior to the sailing date from Terminal Island, California, on
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