cr CO 2 MAY 1850 ar PLSP SUBJECT: Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll (U) 3. On 18 February a joint military and civilian-contractor Task Group, comprising 26 men with equipment, landed on the Atoll by ship and began cleanup operations. Yhis Task Group (JTG 8.8) is commanded by Colonel J. W. Rawlings, USAF, and is a component of Joint Task Force EIGHT, DASA, By 23 February the former air strip on ENYU ISLAND, Bikini, was operational and certified for Military Airlift Command flight operations. 4. The Bikini Task Group currently comprises a total of 40, of whom 17 are military. Dr. Jack A. Tobin, a representative of the Trust Territories administration, is present at the Atoll to consult on individual elements of cleanup requirements. The work is proceeding satisfactorily. As of end-April it was approximately 25% complete, which permits realistic appraisal of the overall task. No significant operational difficulties have been experienced and none are forecast. A detailed listing of known cleanup items, with planned disposition, is being prepared as a basis for inter-agency concurrence on the completion of the AEC-DOD tasks. Present estimate is that the latter can be completed by October 1969 if the necessary additional funds in the amount of $700,000 are available by 1 July 1969. 5. Specific comment on the funding situation and requirements will be the subject of separate correspondence, Wertenabr. L. M. MUSTIN Vice Admiral, USY CF: : man, JCS Chair ATSD(AE) AGMMA/AEC CITF-8 CITG 8.8 Director ae department Geeka. higtaran g* me - ARCHED oe