Summary of Spocia: Mission for Romoo (Cont'd)
Tho altitudo to be flown was not above 5,000', We wore to report to the
Radiological Monitor aboard the USS Estes, by VHF or HF voicc, any radiation
encountered. in the track.
The purpose of this was to keop a close survoillance
on any radiation that might drift over Eniwotok or Ujelang 4toli, resulting
in necessitating an emorgency ovacuation of porsonnel on those atolls.
This
track could bo varied slightly to the north, south,or wost at tho discretion
of the irecraft Commander in order to accurately report any radintion. The
track was to- be followed quite accurately until an indication of 3 roentgens
was oncountered.
b.
Synoptic weather observations wero taken at the north and south
end of the track and sent by CW to tho CIC and the AOC,
A radiological report
was givon to the radiological team at the CIC, on the USS Estes overy time
radiation was encountered, by VHF or HF voice, or at any time requested by
the CIC controllor,
c. The Radiological Monitor could direct Wilson #3 to deviate from
this track in any way within the oporational limits of the aircraft, This
mission would be terminated when released by the Radiological Monitor in tho
CIC and be directed to roturn to base,
5.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT:
a.
After take-off a climb to 5,000' was started and o heading —
flown to intercept the southwest corner of the track,
After take-off wo
were cloared by the tower to 40C (Dirty Face) control, We were directed dy
Dirty Face to proceed on course, 4 levol off wes mde at 5,000', WheiR ~
miles outbound wo woro directed by Dirty Faco to switch control to the CIC,
Boundary Tarc.
b.
Tho first weather obsorvation was mado at this time.
Upon roaching the southwest corner of tho track another woather
observation wes made, a check-in was mado to Boundary Tare, and the track
was begun in a clockwiso direction.
ce
The raco track was flown from 0818 until 1345.
During this
tine radiation was oncountered five times varying in strength from 50 MR to
150 MR, At 1218 an area was cnterod at the northeast corner of the track
whero a radiation roading of 2 1/4 R was encountered, At this timo a sub-
stanco resombling light frost or snow flakes gathered on the nose and surface
of the aircraft. This condition lasted about five minutes, Tho flight crew
went on 100% oxygen when this radiation was encountered,
(fit no time during
tha mission was the aircraft ventilation system uscd.) For one hour the
radiation reading held at between 1500 and 1000 MR, At 1320 a small rain
cloud was flown through and washed the aircraft off, resulting in a back-~
ground reading of 250 MR, At 1345 we were directed by Boundary Tare to hold
on the-soutif end of the track, and to continuo sending reports. Weather
reports were sent cvery 30 minutes for the duration of the flight, and no morc
radiation was detected.
dad.
&t 1450 we were directed by Boundary Tare to proceed to a point
about 75 miles north northeast of Eniwetok, then to procesd to Eniwctok and
land,
These instructions were carricd out,
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