Vax thence to BALWAL for distribution to ships. After HAVO and the terporary closing of the Bikini siretrip, BiTiuxO continued to act ag the receiving and distribution point for units at Bikini, but aeil was carried detween kninetok and Bikini by ship, when the Bikini sirstrip reopensd, mail was moved by both air ani surface iift,. Delivery tine of air mail from the United States varied from 7 to 14 days, with occasional Jelays up to a month from the postaark date, 22. On several cccesions duris: April, it was necessary vor OTG 7.3 to sxercise command im the “3TSS or at Farry Islan for aday or tw. f In each instance, CiG 7.3 Adninistretion remained in GTISS. During these periods, sll units were directed to aidress all messages to both CfQ 7.3 and CT3 7.3 admin, Both ESTES and CIRPISS copied all traffic so addressed, thus insuring that oll steff meabers and the Comuander sould have casplete aessage files at all tims. this procedure resulted in sone duplication of massages bub was considered necessary in view of the rapidly changing situation prior to the deton= ation of YARKER. 23. ‘he rorry teland communication facility was reactivated on a fuli tine basis on 6 lisy concurrent with the shifting of the cfG 7-3 flag ashore from CURTISS. Albthuugii shot—tinms ccaznicstians vere hentled aboard SUA.TISy when RECTAR was [ired, the shore statiea ro- mainal fully manned until 1461AKM kay xhen wos sonbe AFWL/RO the lest official message