a
reported no contacta,

SIOUX and YA 39 finished laying buoys and

reported on their ahot stations,

The task group was ready for the

shot, bat te no avail, for the weather was deteriorating.

At O542

word was received from the Task Fores headquarters on Parry that
HECTAR had been cancelled for the day.

Thus began a series of

five oorties in all before RZCTAR was detonated, three before YANKEE,
and two afterward, with NECTAR the final shot deepite ite early

resdiness.

10, EFPERSON wes recalled from Ufelang. AINSWORTH wae ordered

beck te Bikint. After daylicht the chipe re-entered the leccon and
enchored. CTG 7.3 and his staff left ESTES ent, efter couferences
on Parry Ielani, boarded en afreraft for return to Bikini. dust
prior te take-off word was received that the weather forecast had
inproved, end en atterpt would be msde agin to fire MECTAR next

mornings The TG 7.3 eperstions center in ESTES was reopened,
AINSSORTH ordered to tarn around and steam for Eniwetek again and

the NECTAR schedule repeated. SIOUX and YAG 39 Isid encther string
ef {all-cut buoys to windward of thoee laid the dey before, still

wrecovercd.

By 2000 all ships were again clear of the lagoon,

FRILIP had sailed for Rikinl on the ferry run ond REXSHAX wes now
making the westbound trip from Bikini to Enivetok,
afrcraft ecarched the arex.

Agein VP-29's

Shortly after aiddicht EPPERSON had

barely teken her departure for Ujelang, when the word cams “Hi¢TAR
delayed 48 hours",

AIHSHORTH wes erain turned around and sent

back to Bikini, and EFFSiSON recalled.

;

Patrol afreraft were er~

171

AFWAH

4

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