v 5. ‘The surface security ships regulerly performed a variety of minor functions concurrently with thelr patrol and escort tacks. They furnished the primary Search and Rescue eurface potential at woth atolls, although nover called upon to effect any rescues. On each shot one DDE, ucuslly RENSHAW, vas stationed approximately mid= way between the two atolls vith Air Foree Taek Group persomel and a honing device aboard, to act as wntrol ship for Task Grou 7.3 air ereft, and as a commenications relay, for BAIROKSD at sea. during shot periods. One DDE served as Plane guard . Fighter alreraft at Eniwetok were controlled in flight from one of the DDZs atationed there, 6, ‘The Surface Security Unit experienced a loss in effective strength throughout the Operation of about 25 percent due to the mecessity of diverting its ships te duties unrelated to security. - The first such inaident took place when BIOHOLAS was dispatched on 28 Yebruary, fust prior to BRAYO, to assist in the sears for a Ganderra bomber lest betwean Kwajalein and les Meeroe, She was re tarneé te CT 7.3 eperational control on 3 Karch. For a coneideratle period after BRAVO some of the Dike ware texporarily relieved of their security duties and aesigned a variety of tacks necessitated by the extensive post-BRAYO contamination im the area. natives fron Rengelap asd Aflinginns. PEILI? evacuated the ESUSHAY was sent to Utirik where she performed the saze task; and then was returned to the eonteminated atelle to condust a radiclogical survey at lecations where seaplane lendings were impracticeble, AM KO All BiEs, in their turn, L