SAR ELEMENT“ (PROV) HISTORY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH-OPERATIONS SECTIGN-Cont'd The new parking and crew alert schedule was to be in effect for this nission. Details such as scheduling, aircraft positioning, arranging for carly neald and in-flight lunches, and drawing of rad~safe equipment were completed. The nise sion , originally scheduled for the 13 March was postponed for 48 hours, due to unfavorable weathor and winds, all three aircraft were retained at Eniwetok and during the naxt two woeks the Bonco Shot was postponed repoatedly for periods of fron 24 to 48 hours due to unfavorable weather conditions. SAR coverage orbit missions were flow on 13, 14 and 15 March for R84 air craft that were making woathor reconnaissance flights in tho Bikini area. The orbit was established and flown at a point approxinately mid-way between Enf= wetok and Bikini to provide immediate SAR assistance to the jets should thoy ~ experience difficulty on their flights, These orbit missions averaged approx imately two and one half hours per flight. During the period from the tine that Roneo Shot, was first scheduled and the tine it was actually accomplished, all three aircraft were maintained in conmission and flying was held to a ninimn, flying only necessary test flights and actual intercept missionse On 20 March water transition :-wae atbetptads but was called off due to the sea conditions being unfavorable for satdsfaxtory practice operationse On 22 March another water transition flight was scheduled and satisfactory flown. Since almost any rescue preformed in this area would necessiate a water landing, emphasis was placed on establishing and maintaining a high degree of proficiency in water operations. 23 March proved to be a record day for calls for assistance from the SAR Element (Prov). At 1025L the alert aircraft and crew were scrambled to intercept a P2V—6 sixty (60) miles out of Eniwetok, wo see . (e)