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RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
FIGURE 3-9. LOJWA INDUSTRIAL AREA.
The coral rock, high humidity, and heat at Enewetak caused
construction problems which had to be overcome. For example, thefirst
concrete placed at Lojwa set up so quickly that the crew could not workit
out to a smooth surface. They learned that a vapor barrier was required to
reduce the loss of water into the crushed coral surface which, when
combined with the temperature of the mix (80° F), caused it to set too
quickly.
To expedite Lojwa Camp construction, all commonframing and trusses
were prefabricated at Enewetak Camp. Despite difficulties in transporting
the larger sections to Lojwa, the procedure was generally successful. As
construction continued toward completion, the troops gained valuable on-
the-job training and experience.54
MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND SUPPORTBEGINS: 31 MAY 1977
MSCsupportof the Enewetak Radiological Cleanup Project began with
the sailing of the American Racer from the Military Ocean Terminal, Bay
Area, Oakland, California, on 14 May 1977. The ship was delayed for
repairs at Pearl Harbor and arrived at Enewetak on 4 June 1977.55 It
carried 7,423 measurement tons of supplies and equipment, including