CHAPTER II, SECTION 4
site of the former OPERATION GREENHOUSE camp at Ursula for 200 men. This permitted the re-use of the existing slabs and, there-

fore, the same plans could be used in construct-

ion of the facilities; also, the existing fresh and
salt water lines, as well as the sewer lines could
be rehabilitated. The airstrip on site Tilda was
placed in serviceable condition by 15 February
1953 to provide L-13 plane transportation to
and from site Elmer and Fred, although H-19
helicopters were used mostly due to the convenience of landing directly at the Ursula camp
site. In July 1953, the campfacilities were expanded for a 250-man camp.

Figure 2-42.

Airstrip Under Construction

CONTRACT ITEM NUMBERS A-25 THRU
A-25.7 - PETER-OBOE AIRSTRIP
GENERAL. The Airstrip for Bikini Atoll was
located on sites Peter and Oboe (these sites
heing joined by a causeway) and consisted of a
runway constructed partly on land, partly on
reef and partly on causeway fill, 150 feet wide
pilus 25 feet on cach side for shoulders and
$500 feet in length. Four helicopter landing
mats were included. The operation buildings
are covered under Contract Item A-35.

ENGINEERING. The purpose of this camp
was to provide living quarters for the personnel
engaged in the construction and outfitting of
Scientific Stations on Sally, Olive, Ruby and
Tilda, and for the construction of the causeway connecting these sites. The original design
requirements as to camp facilities remained
essentially the same as for OPERATION IVY,
requiring only minor modification.

ENGINEERING. The purpose of this facility
was to provide an air terminal that would be
capable of accommodating the landing of a
C-47 plane which would be used for regular
scheduled flights of men and materials hetween Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls. This facility also furnished air facilities for intraisland travel by helicopter. The Field Engineering Division prenared five field sketches and one
drawing. One drawing showing the general iayout of facilities was prepared by the Home Office.
CONSTRUCTION. Construction on the Airstrip was started on 25 October 1952, and by 27
January 1953 a 3500-foot portion was opened
for the first test landing and take-off, using a
Navy PBM. The halance of the Airstrip was
completed on 20 May 1953. Regular scheduled
flights were started on 25 May with flights four
days a week; on 13 June they were increased
to six flights a week. Figure 2-42 shows the Arrstrip under construction and status of work as
of 7 April. Figure 2-43 shows surface grading.
Additional facilities were added. including ¢ <tending the runway 1400 feet, airstrip marhi :g
andsigns, and installation of arresting gear tor
jet planes. Figure 2-44 notes the Airstrip with
all these additional facilities completed.

CONSTRUCTION. Work was started in the
early part of January 1953, and the camp was
opened for occupancy on 6 July 1953. The final
rehabilitation of the camp facilities was completed on 15 October 1953. Figure 1-9 is the
plan cf the camp as completed.

CONTRACT ITEM NUMBERS A-31 THRU
A-31.14 - URSULA CAMP

CONTRACT ITEM NUMBERA-32 - FILL
CRATER - SITE RUBY

GENERAL. At the beginning of OPERATIC:.N

GENERAL.A detonaiion on site Ruby during
OPERATION GREENHOUSEcreated a crater.

CASTLE the decision was made to use te

Pace 2-70

Figuce 2-43.

Airstrip - Surface Grading

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