A 28Dec.memo from Col. Banks to Gen. Betts covers briefly some of the
items discussed with Bill Ogle of LASL with Gen. Starbird present on
27 Dec. 61.
The question of the availability of Jarvis Island was raised
and it was pointed out that although this was presently being considered
by the AEC and appeared to offer no problem to the Department of State,
that actual approval had not yet been received.
It was confirmed that
only one shot, a surface shot, was planned for Jarvis. Ogle noted that
so little is known of electromagnetic effects that LASL planned to make
EM measurements on the surface shot at Jarvis.
The status of negotiations
/7
for Christmas Island was discussed with Ogle emphasizing that even if it
could not be used for shots, it would be most helpful as a base for sampler
aircraft. The limitation that no barge shots could be fired from Christmas
Island was of considerable concern to Ogle,who pointed out that ships could
be located as far as 10 miles from shore and that he was pretty confident
that contamination would go out to sea and that other problems could be
taken care of.
In subsequent discussion after this meeting, Col. Anderson
of DMA pointed out that barge shots would be permissible if conducted off
shore so that the island contamination could be avoided.
Dr. Ogle felt
that it would be desirable for the U. S. Hydrographic people to measure
the water currents around Christmas Island since such measurements had never
been made.
Ogle advised that there was a very real problem being encountered by the military in finding ships other than the CVS appropriate for
airdrop support.
The Joint Task Force, it was noted, has asked R27Shelton
of LRL to put together a safety committee with representatives from the Vey
different laboratories and DASA and other appropriate organizations to consider such problems as blast, fallout and tsunamis and be an advisory group
to the JTF.
Ogle asked about the likelihood of a surface test being
authorized at NTS and Mr. Gale of DMA said that this looked as firm as
any noting the Dr. Brown's letter to the President had given justification
for both the two high altitude shots at Johnston and the surface shot at
the NTS. Gale further discussed a number of items of funding and personnel
hiring authorizations.
.
A
of LASL
December TWX from AFSWC to AFESD at Hanscom Field and to Westervelt
was A 28
—
y to inspect the KCI35
notes that Westervelt is going to Hanscom Field on 4 Januar
tail Number 131 for suitability for LASL's use.