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Radiological Hazards in the Marshall Islands Area During
Operation CASTLE

4. Although the items in question are not ocrogrammed as special
operations during CASTL=, certain other aspects of the radiologica. safety
plan to rrcvide a reasonable and safe compromise. Specifically, these are
as follows:
a. Reference cloud tracking, an effort will be made to determine
information relative to the forecasting of heavy secondary fall-out on the
shot site. This will be accomplished by a small number of WB-29 flights

up-wind from the shot site to a distance of approximately 600 miles.

Since

the up-wind direction will, in general, be toward the, populated atolls,
minor modifications in aircraft tracks should provide sufficient information
on conditions in those areas. Also, certain specified aircraft operating
in the area of the tests after shot time will be in positions to provide
reasonable indications of actual cloud movements. In addition, as on
Operation IVY, the Task Force Commander will issue pre-shot forecasts of
cloud trajectories and fall-out areas and will continue such advisories
with post-shot analyses of the sources of information available.
b. Reference drinking water sampling at distant atolls, existing
equipment could, on a limited basis, be diverted to such a post-shot effort
in the event cogent and compelling reasons arose requiring such action.
Past experience indicates, however, that such action is necessary only under
extreme conditions.
c. Reference evacuation of native populations, no task force
equipment will be available for such an operation. Consideration of populated islands will, however, be one of the major factors in the Commander's
decision to shoot, and will be considered in its relation to forecast winds
and fall-out predictions.
5« This command is constantly faced with compromise between the
necessity for certain efforts and the limitations of forces and equipment
available to accomplish objectives. Your comments or suggestions in consonance with the above are requested in order that task force planning may

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