408768 UNCLASSIFIED ¢ R UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. fs C November 13, 1957 ao, MEMORANDUM TO : K, E. Fields General Manager FROM : Brig. General Alfred D, Starbird, USA Director of Military Application SUBJECT: DANGER AREAS DURING RECENTLY COMPLETED AIR FORCE TESTING ACTIVITIES AT ENIWETOK SYMBOL : MAT:JR The following information on the above subject is presented for circulation to the Commission, if you so desire, in accordance with memorandum of October 31, 1957 from the Secretary: I informed the Air Force Office of Scientific Research on April 17, 1957* that prior to approval for the conducting of Project Far Side at EPG, the AEC required that the Air Force procure approval from the Departments of State and Interior; assume responsibility and liability for injury or damage to all yvergons and property in EPG or any area as the result of the conduct of the operation; and establish a strong public information program emphasizing the basic scientific research nature of tests and the absence of any connection with nuclear weapons testing, On July 27, 1957* the AFOSR replied to the AEC conditions stating that the Air Force assumes responsibility and liability for injury or damages to persons or property as a result of this operation under the provisions of AFR 112-6, As enclosures to the AFOSR letter were copies of letters from State and Interior eranting thelr approval. The State letter reemphasized the responsibility of the Air Force in assuming that maximum safety precautions would be taken, to include warnings to the inhabitants, airmen and mariners of the area through customary channels. State's letter further stated that it is understood that the Alr Foree assumed liability in connection with the proposed experiments. During the operation and about twenty hours prior to firing, the AFOSR team at Eniwetok, in coordination with TG 7.2 and the Air Force Airways Communication Service, sent radio teletype messages to the Navy Hydrographic Office at Honolulu, the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory, the Movement Report Center at Pearl Harbor and other agencies controlling shipping and air movements in the Pacific area, These warnings were sent prior to each firing and established the danger areas around *Correspondence on file in Division of Military Appifeation. -1- BEST COPY AVAILAGIE | be ' on BS br a |