HEADQUARTERS SAR ELEMENT (PROV) APO 187, c/o Postmaster San Francisco, California - RCS: «sRS-F2 : MISSION NUMBER: 5 March 1954 SAR Element (Prov)-22 March 1954 (Uncl). TYPE OFMISSION: Radiological Survey. DiTE OF CLOSING: 2 March 1954. SOURCE AND TIME OF INITIAL ALERT: The Test Services Unit Operations Officer called at 1513 L, 2 March 1954, to request an Siel6 and crew be alerted for a possible mission to Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands. DATE AND TIME OF DISP..TCH OF ARS FACILITIES: borne at 1636 L, 2 March 1954. Siwl6 AF 1016 was air SYNOPSIS: The Test Services Unit Operations Officer specified that the standby aircraft and crew be readied for the transportation of a radiological survey team, and a landing in the Lagoon at Rongelap atoll, The rescue crew was briefed by the Deputy Commander, Task Group Tals (Prov), while awaiting the arrival of the survey team, and tho aircraft 7 departed at 1636 L, with two (2) radiological monitors aboaed. - <p Due to the approaching darkness and water operation in an unprepared area, the Si-16 proceeded to the area at 160K, and arrived over Rongelap at 1813 L. While making radioactive checks at 200 ft the pilot made a study of the Lagoon, wind direction and surface conditions, 4A water land= ing was made at 1828 L, and the radiological survey team was put ashore in a life raft. Radioactive chocks were completed in approximitly 30 minutes, and the Sin16 made a tako-off at 1915 L. The flight proceeded as briefed, to Wotho «stoll and made an aerial survey at 200 ft which was completed at 1942 L. REMAXKS: The water landing in the Lagoon was uneventful and no difficulties were encountered, The pilot evaluated conditions as: nae ae Sea Condition: b. Wind: 60 degrees at 12 Knots. ce, Landing Heading: 60 degrees. de Tako-off Heading: 40 dogrees. A TRUE COPY: “A tae pr Two (2) to three (3) fect wind swells. «wLD E, ST Ss Captain, US«F austerical, Officer /sf Villard D, Welch /t/ WILL.RD D. WELCH Captain, USAF Mission Commander -