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13. Taongi has previously been considered by the Test
Organization as a possible test site.
However, its limited
size, unsuitable entrance, and lack of anchorage facilities
have weighed against it,
particularly from the standpoint of
blast and water damage to diagnostic stations and heavy contami-
nation of these facilities.
With the development of methods of
' obtaining the necessary diagnostic data remotely from a diagnostic
ship reconsideration of the use of Taongi is appropriate...
14,
On the basis of preliminary reports of the Task Force
Weather organization and Taongi's geographical location with
respect to populated islands in the Marshall Islands,
it seems
quite obvious that firing from Taongi should be appreciably
easier than from Bikinl or Eniwetok.
Shots can be detonated at
Taongi under normal wind conditions, whereas at Bikini it is
necessary to fire on what might be referred to as abnormal
conditions,
the south.
i.e., with some appreciable wind components from
It might be said that we could fire at Taongi under
more stable weather conditions and less positive predictable |
weather conditions.
In addition to its superior position with
respect to prevailing winds, the increased distances to populated
istands are a distinct advantage from the safety aspect for two
reasons.
First,
in case of fallout on any populated areas,
the
levels will be lower; and second, there will be appreciably ©
more time to take emergency action.
The chart attached as an
Annex to Appendix "A" shows the location of Taongi with respect
to the other atolls of the Marshall Islands, its more favorable
situation with respect to direction, and the distances from
Eniwetok, Bikini and Taongi.
- 14 -
Appendix "Aa"