Hd te] 1he | - ted qo 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"