1
ep-trind preparctory to Launching a high altitate balloon. She
conpleted her up~wind run, reversed course and at 2150 launched
the balloon and returned to her statica.
A little over on hour
later word was recaived from the Joint Task Force commusnd post in
ESTES that the shot had been delayed for twenty-four bourse.
All
ships were notified of the delay and directed te remain at sea
through the night. As 0800 ESTES, BAIHOKO and AENSHAT elesed on
Enyu to transport the firing party in by helicopter to disoonnsct
the firing circwlb ani disarm the device, but this ection was dae
layed in the hope that a better weather situation night be develop~
dng.
By 1500 it bad become apparent that the uesther would not
pered&{ Cirlag next dey, ani the dleansing process woe begun,
ord
wos Fecelved at 1730 that disarming vas completed when the ships
headed inte the lagon. By 208C all were anchored.
Me
—
A sortic for UXLON was not again sttenpted until 25 April.
Throughout the period betueen sorties the tesk group renained in an
atvancea state of readiness, prepared to rove out again on chert
notice, xith each day designated as minus~two er ninus-thres depeading on the weather outlock.
It became spcaren, that te Gre
the renainder of the CASTLE series, the Joint Task Force had to te
prepared te take advantage of favoratile weathe? based on short range
forecasts.
To sect the situation the alert status of the Havy Taak
Group vas further increased se that ell ships sere required to be
ready to ecemence their sdiaus-one day events at noon on eny days
Plens were moée for carrying oct the sortie after dark, in case such
Wi/H@
&
165
oC
—h