became largely those of the movement of ships rather than large groups of people. Water contamination in the anchorage, which would have posed a very real problem to the operation, was
never serious, and the fleet was able to reenter the lagoon soon after each shot.
Upon the arrival of the LSD, USS Belle Grove, the M boats which she carried in the well
were released and began the transfer of people between vessels by regular taxi service. M
boats and LCU’s moored in the anchorage during the shot suffered fall-out from at least two of
the shots and required decontamination prior to their use. These boats were needed for the
bulk of the work that went on between events, carrying workers, fuel, and equipment into the
instrumented islands.
The movement of people within the atoll was closely coordinated with the Rad-Safe Control
Officer at all times during the operation. Boat and helicopter traffic into contaminated regions .
was required to clear through the Rad-Safe organization for protective clothing, film badges,
and monitoring equipment when necessary. By monitoring the radiation levels throughout the
atoll, the Rad-Safe Control Officer could redefine the limits of restricted areas and clear them
for traffic as radioactive decay and water dispersion reduced the contamination to safe levels.
supplies and to vrepare the UCRL and DODinstallations
This wo.k vent ahead without further delay since ihe fall-out problem was not encountered
to any great degree from subsequent shots. Eninman airstrip, which was out of commission
for eight cays following|_
_ , Was placed back in use when the radiation levels permitted
working parties to clear away the debris. During this time PBM typeaircraft provided a
limited airlift between Eniwetok and Bikini, The wave
;
‘again put the airstrip
out of commission, but it was cleared and back in use within three days after the event.
At Eniwetok Atoll the reentry prvblem never arose since the lower istands were not evacuated{”
_ ., Reentry into the upper islaids of the atoll was Hmited to the recovery of data
and equipment,
1 oe
&,
a
/-,
4
~
acs
The employmentof the “houseboat” LCU’s with expanded living quarters py Programs 13
«und 15 proved to be exceptionally furtunate, Since trailers and equipment were abcard as well,
these groups were able to rework their stations after each shot with a minimum of the support
-shich wouid otherwise have been required.
~~rhe main camp islands, Eninman and Enyu, contaminated by rather heavy fall-out{
_ _ ._
were rcentered two days after the shot for the purpose of recovering equipment and |
3.12
SAMPLE RETURNS
Prior to the overs2as phase of Castle, a study of the transportation recuirements for delivery of radioactive samples to ZI laboratories was submitted to JTF SEVEN. Asa result of
this study and subsequent discussions, the following flight schedule for the return of samples
was establisned:
00-0 © m
Flyaway 1, H+6to10hr
Flyaway 2, H:6 to 10 hr
Flyaway 3, H+ 24 to 36 hr
lyaway 4, H+4 to 5 days
In addition to these flights, which were to be made after each shot, provisions were made
for the transport of samples by first priority MATS flight when necessary. During the course
of the operation this service was uiilized to return Preject 21.4 sas ¢smnples, with a departure
time of about H+ 48 hr, which Flyavay 3 could not meet because of other requirements.
The Flyaway aircraft generally followed the planed schedule with average departure times
of H+8 hr for the first two, H+36 hr for the third, and H+5 days for the last. Flyaways 1 and 2
were C-97 aircraft, capable under normal wind ccnditions of arriving at Albuquerque within 20
hr from take-off, including a 10- to 20-min stcp at Hickam Air Force Base. Flyaways 3 and 4
were generally the slower C-54 aircraft.
The J-3 and J-4 Staff Sections of TG 7.1, through their representatives on Eniwetok, re-
ceived the radiuvactive samples from the projects, made sure that they were properly pacicired,
50