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Of the specifications outlined above --—- ease of logistic support,
adequate amounts of land, suitable weather, and protection for inhabited areas --- Eniwetok Atoll meets only the last-named one.
It is
believed that a more satisfactory site meeting all of these specifica-
tions can be located.
without delay.
Selection of such a site should be undertaken
By so doing, the construction which is essential to
future tests can be initiated at an early date and the expense of
maintaining the unsatisfactory facilities in the Marshall Islands
area can be avoided.
If, however, it is decided that this area is
to be used in future tests, maximum conservation and planned expan-
sion of facilities now existing at Mniwetok and Kwajalein should be
undertaken.
MILITARY REQUIREMENTS IN ATOMIC TESTS
Operation SANDSTONE undoubtedly provided AEC personnel with much
information which will be useful in the field of pure science, as
well as with information which may lead to improved types of atomic
weapons.
Also, the operetiort afforded the military services some
opportunities to seek the answers to questions which were purely
military in nature.
Consequently, military support of the AEC under-
taking was entirely logical and desirable.
It is certain that the
tests could not have been conducted on such a large scale or completed
with such dispatch without that support.
A basic doctrine promulgated at the inception of the operation
89
Section VIII
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