si
REP Comdr, Subj:
(UNCLASSIFIED)*
“Report on Survey Trip to (utlying Veather Islands
aurprised to find that Mr DeMeilo and his assistants had performed the
auty in a superior manner for such a short period of responsibility. Proper
ce
inspection by competent inspectors had been made, non-useable items sone
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demned, a thorough inventory and segregation by islands made, and all locally
reparable items either repaired or in the process of repair. Crating had been
accomplished in an excellent manner and suitable for our operation. However,
very fow boxes were aotually completed since a considerable shortage exists,
chiefly of small items as THs and expendable supplies. Complete action cannot
be accomplished until these shortages arrive from the ZI Depots. the 6th
AB
Weather Squadron (Mobile) received a copy of the inventory and shortages just
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prior to my departure and I was aware that the inventory had been made but
was totally unprepared to observe such excellent accomplishment of the task.
Mr DeMello reviewed problems encountered and anticipated problems in handling
the equipment until it is loaded aboard the LST and the BODY equipment shipped
to Eniwetok. Lt Dempsey, Supply Officer of the 57th Strategic Recon Sq,
accompanied me on this visit to Base Supply. He had made a hobby of boating.
Ye next inspected the 22' ChriseCraft boat which was used during the last
operation at Kusale. Mr DeMello said that it was necessary to request
bids from civilian companies for rcopairs of the boat and the low bid w.s
$1800.00,
Naturally, since it was a civilian company, all replacement parts
were figured into the totl repair cost. It appeared that the boat may
have been dropped when it was unloaded from the LST or perhaps in movement
from the port to Hickam AFB since all planks of the hull were broken near
the eft section. Throughout the rest of the boat, nearly every plank in the
boat had a major orack or break. Lt Dempsey and I went over the civilian
companies detailed repair report anid decided that it would be uneconomical
to repair the boat. The entire hull would have to be replaced, I sent a
mossage to Major Hebner later that day with our opinion.
the helium cylinders (500) held in storage.
I also inspected
They were stored in the open and
the large cap threads were rusted but not in an advanced state. All
oylinders had been tested with a pressure gauge for the correct amount of
helium some three months previcusly ami found to be correctly filled. I re=
quested that the large cap threads be greased (contrary to AF rerulations for
gae-filled containers,“fince helium is inert, I considered this essential
for protection of the cylinders) and that while they were greasing the threads
to retest the helium presgure.
Mr DeMello and I discussed supply procedures
to be used in handling all the equipment and I made an appointment to have
@ conference with Captain Walker, BSO, the next morning so that we could have
a general agreement on all procedures. ‘The 57th Strategic Reconn Squadron
held a party for Col Bomnot, Col Slater and myself that night at Wheeler
!
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For some strange reason we did not eat supper aud found only hors
d'oeuvres and Hawaiian punch to satisfy our appetites. All the officers and
their wives of the Sauadron and personnel of the Cambridge Research Center
were there and it wae a delightful party.
asa
S 3-307
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Field,