thus aircraft utilization was far below the programmed capability. This
should not be used as a basis for reducing alr support in subsequent Bikini
tests, however, since movement of the Teak and Orange events to Johnston
Island greatly reduced the number of personnel the airlift had been committed to support. Cargo carried for J-4 totaled 986 Ib.

The major recurring problems that arose resulted from the night and

over-water flying restrictions which applied to Task Group 7.4 helicopters.

Although these problems were never satisfactorily resolved, they were avoided on the second underwater shot by using USMC helicopters from Bikini,
which did not have the same operational limitations.

Inter-atoll Airlift.

Cargo lift from Eniwetok to Bikini was accom#lished

by means of a morning and afternoon C-54 flight from Fred to Nan.

Cargo

arriving at Fred via MATS marked for Bikini was segregated and booked on
the C-54 reflector flight, without being first sent to Parry as on previous
operations. This procedure saved valuable time and cut down on the wear

and tear on cargo due to additional handling. This service was performed
by a H&N afr cargo man stationed permanently at Fred.

Air cargo for Bikini originating at Parry was documented by J-4 for’
movement through the H&N Shipping Section. This system worked quite well,
with very little time lost in movement of this type of air cargo.

Air cargo excluding weapon movements was as follows:

CARGO AIRLIFT, ENIWETOK TO BIKINI, EXCLUDING DEVICES
February
March

3,170
40,318

April
May
June
July

_
Total

45,536
30,275
32,283
8,151
159,733 lb

Cargo airlifted from Bikini to Eniwetok during the entire operation amounted
to 102,306 pounds.
Initial planning implemented at the start of the operation was based
on the Eniwetok Airlift Office - Transportation Control Agent concept. This
required each Task Group to designate a TCA, who was responsible for consolidating all requirements for airlift for his Task Group and forwarding the
total requirement to the JTF 7 Air Priorities Agent, who was located in the

EAO.

The APA consolidated the requirements of all the Task Groups and

made the necessary arrangements for adquate airlift support with TG 7.4.
Task Group 7.1 appointed two TCA's: one from J-1 to handle all passenger
requirements and one from J-4 to handle cargo requirements.
During the early stage of the operation, one flight daily was made between Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls. This was later increased to three flights

daily (except for Sundays, when there was only one flight) during the peak

period of the build-up phase, April 8 through May 7.
C-54 aircraft were utilized on the Eniwetok-Bikini shuttle. These aircraft replaced the twin-engine C-47 transports used on Redwing and immense-

ly improved the shuttle service, since they could carry more passengers
and were more comfortable.

87

AFWL/HO

86

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