. - to operate ti. “CONPINEITIAL | .-16's at maximum gross water landings and take-off weights on most of the flights to these sites. This was necessary to insure sufficient fuel for return flights and still carry enough pay load to make the flichts practical. Continued operation under these conditions caused severe main- tenance problems and caused. two (2) of the aircraft to be returned \ for depot maintenance prior to completion of the test series. During the NEWSREEL phase of HARDTACK, SC-54 aircraft and crews of the 76th Air Rescue Squadron based at Hickam AFB assumed SAR responsiOne (1) SC-54 aircraft was kept at Johnston Island during the build-up and operational phases of NEWSREEL. the aircraft and crews were rotated on a weekly basis. Usually, These aircraft da 4 bility at Johnston Island. participated in all practices and rehearsals and were airborne during the TEAK and ORANGE events. An additional air suppert function required by the operatior was the movenent of personnel and cargo into and out of the Eniwetck Proving Grourd by MATS. Although not under the operational contrcei of Task Group 7.4, MATS was supported by the Air Terminal Element, Test Services Unit, which previded the terminal services requirements. Their responsi- bilities included the on-loading and off-loading of passergers ard cargo, maintenance and refueling of aircraft and crew ccntrcoi and flight pianning. As the heavy flight schedules resulted in aircraft arrivals and departures at all hours, this support function was q® around the clock operation. At the peak of the testing series, during a one (1) month period, over 200 inbound and outbound flights were serviced while handling nearly 2,000,000 pounds of cargo and 2,500 passengers. 118 F LANL Rc ot ke f corien/ccc a