CHAPTER IV, SECTION |! meal; this required overlapping work hours of various groups in order to keep a meal shift to a three-hour working period. The frequency of changes in size of camps, due to the changing requirements of the test program, called for detailed pianning in order to provide the necessary personnel, equipment and supplics. Site Nan was orizinally planned as a small beachhead camp but grew to a population of over 200 men; a further increase was being, contemplated when the effects of the Bravo event cancelled all camp operations ashore at Bikini. Except for a short period in January and February of 1954, the number of camp operations personnel, Was. as a whole, adequate and overtime was kept to a minimum. Except fur a short period in Januarv and February of 1954, the number of personnel assigned to camp operations was adequate. About 18 January, however. a number of employees were surpltussed due to non-receipt of Q clearances before the established deadline date. The normal investigative and processing time involved in obtaining Q clearances was such as to prevent recruitment at that date, and resulted in sorne overtime and reassignments until replacements could be provided. In preparation for the Bravo event, the camps at Bikini were placed in status as indicated below: Charlie - Completely rolled up. Fox - Housing reduced to sustain 75 men. Provisions, camp supplies, PX and bar stores reduced to sustain 75 men for 10 days only. Tare - Camp left intact. Cold storage provisions reduced to sustain 1,000 men three weeks. Dry Provisions, camp supplies, PX and har stores sufficient for 1,000 men for six weeks. Nan - Camp left intact. Cold storage provisions to sustain 250 men three weeks. Dry provisions, camp supphes, PX and bar stores sufficientfor 250 men for 6 weeks. Precautionary measures were taken against radioactive “fallout” and blast damage. Drv stores, liquors and P/ stores were restored in warehouses and covered with tarpaulins. All loose objects were secured and al] items generally stored on a high level were placed on the floor. All food items, yalley and dining room equipment were covered with tarpaulins or sheets. Tent sides were rolled up and all beds and other furniture were moved to the center of the tent. All windows and doors of buildings were secured in the open position. Water tanks were filled and cuyed. All post office and PX money was turned in to the accounting office at Elmer, Eniwetok Aroll. Page 4-4 DRGAION «ip erenmmennm Immediately after the Bravo event, all camp operations ashore at Bikini ceased, as a result of the unexpected blast effects and radioactive contamination. Thereafter, all personnel at Bikini Atoll were housed and sustained in the vessels of Task Group 7.3. Huumes & Narver personnel were primarily based on board the USNS Ainsworth and assisted in the ships servicus. Sixteen contract employees were assigned to other vessels of the Task Force to assist them In providing messing services. Experience with camp operations on board ship during OPERATION IVY indicated that men to be emploved afloat must be carefully selected as to their willingness and physical adaptahility to work under shipboard conditions. With this in view, volunteers for work aboard ship were requested. These volunteers were caretully screened with the net result that the problems of the camp department were kept to a minimum in supporting ship's personnel in providing the necessary services afloat. The satisfactory conduct of camp operations on the USNS Ainsworth was considerably aided by the coupe rative attitude of the officers and crewof this vessel. The ship’s services and time tables were adapted to the operational convenience of these living aboard. This was re- flected in harmonious working relations between the ship’s officers and crew with Holmes & Narver personnel at all levels, and in added productivity. A total of 44 Holmes & Narver personnel were assigned at first to assist the crew of the USNS Ainsworth in the preparing and serving of food. The ship’s crew operated the cabin mess. Under this arrangement, the requirement of practically ‘around the clock” feeding was met without friction. The late workers and the early turn-to crews, which by the very nature ef the operations after £ March 1934, were in large numbers; these men were fed hot meals regardless of their working hours. The working parties ashore were provided with hag lunches prepared by the night crew of the troop mess. These lunches varied in number from 160 to 430 (averaging around 250). For a short period, the grills at the Tare camp were reactivated to provide hot lunches for the men working at that site. After the Romeo event, hot lunches were provided only at Tare. These were prepared on the USNS Ainsworth and sent ashore in insulated 5 gallon food containers. There was no difference in the quality of the faod served in the cabin and troop messes. Cafeteria style service was used in the troop mess and individual waiter service used in the cabin mess. Class feeling due to designation as troop or cabin-foeeders was non-existent. Many men designated as “cabin class” preferred taking