Seven shots were originally schsduled for CASTLE, but one, ECHO
was cancelled on 12 April, partly because of numer
ous weather delays, but mainly because a scientific requirement no longer
existed for the shot.
High winds in the upper atmosphere necessitated numerous shot delays, seventeen straight one~day postponements of ROMEO alons, which
served to lengthen the operation considerably and increase the cainte~
nance work load on all aircraft, as well as to tax the patience and
fortitude of everyone in the Pacific Proving Ground.
Ever since
GREENHOUSE, weather experts had pointed out that high winds in the upper atmosphere and general weather conditions made the Pacific Proving
Ground a highly undesirable locationfor atomic tests.
Other sites
c
:
throughout the world were studied, but since remoteness from civilization was considered an equally important factor, it was doubtful that
the searchers would find a more remote region on this planet outside
the polar regions,
D.
’
PLANNING FOR FUTURE OVERSEAS NUCLEAR OPERATIONS
During the numerous shot delays in March, April and May, the Air
Task Group, as well as Joint Task Force SEVEN and the other four task
groups, devoted effort to other pressing matters, such as the five-year
pian and the roll-up plan.
The Eniwetok Five Year Construction Plan, initiated on 19 February,
was submitted to JIF SEVEN in late April. This document was to be integrated into the JIF SEVEN Five Year Plan.
Major General E. McGinley,
Deputy Commander of JTF SEVEN, had requested the Air Task Group to study
oe
— Zl.
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