I
and limped hom far repairsy the ATPs end DUBs begen to report
aiffieulties,
Kany hed ainor gear that was inoperative and act re-
pairshle anti2 spares could be obtained,
Aircraft engine hours
built up ant spproached allowable operating licits.
Stares laid
on for a 120 day operating period began running low.
probleas anltiplied.
Logistics
bEnalistaenta and chligated active duty periods
for a substantial nonber of essential task group personnel were close
to runing oub.
The lack of recreation for the large nunbers of neval
persoanel whose chips eeldoa left Bikini except to go to seabal an
i
adverse affect ca morale which, though elight, threatened to becomes
a major problem.
3e
Aw it turned ouk mont of the difficulties that the delay
brought inte eight were never actually realised,
fhe weather pare
mitted the shots te be fired before the problems reached a serious
magnitute, Most ships were able to sail in time to aceb thelr cam
aitaentes by ubilisation of the delay pericda for partial roll-up the
wajority of thea were able to leeve for their hone bases much sooner
after the final shot than hal been planned.
411 were in nesd of
extended periods of continucus apkeep upon arrival at their bases.
A
few personne) were flom te the Mnited States for diccharges the num
bers due for release did not becass significant until June ond moat
aiips had completed redeployment. early that math.
The lack of
recreation ceased to be felt on 1k Nay with Hecra® fired and the
peospect in sicht of a quick departure from the forward area,
177
AFWL/HO