177 Mobilization Operation Switch also created increased demands for billeting at Enewetak Atoll. Building 686 on Enewetak was pressed into service as overflow billets, and incoming personnel who were scheduled to work in the north were sent promptly to Lojwa Camp. There were some problems in retaining necessary skills to assure continuous operational capability during the exchange—and, as was obvious, the loss of experience, continuity, and working relationships was staggering. In general, however, Operation Switch I was very successfully executed.!04 MOBILIZATION/CLEANUP OVERLAP Although 15 November 1977 was identified, for scheduling and record purposes, as the end of the Mobilization Phase and the beginning of the Cleanup Phase, in practice, mobilization and cleanupefforts overlapped by several months. Some cleanup operations began long before 15 November 1977, and some mobilization efforts were not completed until muchlater. During the first week of December 1977, seven navigational aids were installed by personnelof the U.S. Coast Guard Enewetak LORANStation, with technical guidance by Mr. Steve Guishikumaofthe I4th Coast Guard District, and with boat support by the USNE. Navigational lights were installed at the Enewetak personnel pier, on the derelict concrete ship off Japtan, on the Point Oscar survey platform, on the east end of Biken (Leroy) Island, and on the landing ramps at Runit, Lojwa, and Enjebi.195,106 These aids significantly increased the safety of boat operations at dawn and dusk, and for any emergency boat operations required during the hours of darkness. As was previously noted, Lojwa camp construction was seriously behind schedule, and CJTG was urging that work be accelerated to provide beneficial occupancy as scheduled by IS November 1977. Through many well-conceived and well-directed actions, this was achieved, although somefacilities were incomplete. The powerplant, distillation plant, billets, and most other major facilities were complete; however, the dining hall was not used until 25 December 1977, when the first meal served was Christmas dinner. Burnout latrines and water trailers were used until planned facilities were finished.!°7 Temporary water lines and other makeshiftfacilities were gradually replaced, some as late as February 1978, as camp construction phased into camp maintenance (Figure 3-20). Through superb teamwork as well as many outstanding individual efforts, mobilization for the Enewetak Radiological Cleanup Project was a success. By 15 November 1977, the base camps were ready to support the cleanup forces. The equipment to locate, remove, and dispose of contaminated material was on hand, and the forces were deployed and ready to begin cleanup operations.