Chopter 2 PROCEDURE 2.1 SHOT PARTICIPATION Prior to the operation, aerial surveys were scheduled to follow Shots Cherokee, Zuni, Flathead, Navajo, Apache (secondary participation), and Tewa. Because Shot Cherokee was delayed, Program 2 requested that the project add Shot Lacrosse to its schedule in order to give the aerial survey an opportunity to obtain operational experience. However, this survey was cancelled, because flight clearance below 1,000 feet in the region of Eniwetok Atoll could not be obtained. A change in the Apache scheduling introduced a conflict with the project’s participation during Navajo. The new schedule called for dual capability involving both Eniwetok and Bikini Atolis. Participation in Apache was therefore, canceled. Because of the long waiting period between Flathead and Navajo, the project requested sec- ondary participation in Shot Mohawk. Preshot surveys were flown before the Navajo and Tewa shots, based on a Program 2 request, to define the background status resulting from the flow of contaminated lagoon water over the reef at Bikini. Helicopter missions, for altitude absorption data, were originally scheduled after Shots Semi- nole, Mohawk, and Navajo. The mission for the latter was subsequently canceled at theéquest of the project, because of a shortage of personnel. During June and July, it was necessary to assign two technicians to Kwajelein to service the aerial-survey equipment; therefore, they were no longer available for on-site operations. The project operations are summarized in Table 2.1. 2.2 OPERATIONS Many projects in Program 2 studied different phases of fallout. dose plots of the contaminated area by aerial surveys. Project 2.64 developed iso- The operations were primarily to secure aerial survey data; subsidiary measurements were performed in supportof this objective to correlate this data. Altitude absorption studies were required to verify the correction factors used in relating the aerial survey to a reference plane 3 feet above the surface. DOE ARCHIV] 2.2.1 Aerial Surveys. Four P2V-5 aircraft were assigned for the project operations, and were administratively attached to the Security Squadron, Patrol Squadron 1. Three of the air- craft were Supplied from outside the squadron, and the fourth came from its assigned strength. The squadron provided all maintenance and operational control. This control was shifted to the Program 2 Control Center on the USS Estes, AGC-12, during the aerial-survey flights. The Air Operations Officer, Task Group 7.3, assumed primary radio guard during this period. The plan of the project air control in the Program 2 Control Center is shown in Figure 2.1. The communication routing is shown inFigure 2.2. The telemeter operator logged all incoming radiation readings, which were immediately recorded on a time-based continuous plot. Naviga- tional information was received from the radio operatcr on Channel C (6693 kc). The Project 2.64 Operations Officer correlated the navigational and radiation data on the rough flight-control chart. The plotter transferred this information to the tactical isodose plot, under the supervi- sion of the 2.64 Project Officer, who used the flight and 1sodose charts to determine the next area of search for each aircraft. The operations officer laid out the required navigational ref- 16 = 3